What would you like to be in the future? What is SCIENCE? sci·ence (noun) /ˈsīəns/ • the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. Oxford English Dictionary The Nature of Science Way of thinking Product SCIENCE Process Science as a Product Science is a systematized body of knowledge gained through the accumulation of facts, concepts, theories, and laws as well as well as advances of technology. Science as a Process Science process skills are the foundation of problem solving in science and the scientific method. The logical way in which a scientist solves a problem is referred to as scientific method. THE BASIC SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS Science process skills govern the conduct of scientific investigations. These skills are important to gather and analyze different information. Observing Inferring Classifying Communicating Measuring Predicting Qualitative Observations Qualitative observations describe what we observe. “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive) Example: The flower has white petals. Mr. M has blue eyes. Quantitative Observations Quantitative observations measure what we observe. “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical) These observations use numbers to measure something in a quantitative way. Example: The flower has seven petals. Mr. M has two eyes. Inference Observation: The grass on the school’s front lawn is wet. Possible inferences: • It rained. • The sprinkler was on. • The gardener watered the grass. Observation vs. Inference 1. The flame of the burner is blue. Observation 2. The plants need water. Inference 3. The temperature today is 29°C. Observation 4. The footprints are from a big animal. Inference 5. The height of the tree is 5ft tall. Observation Science as a Way of Thinking Science as a way of thinking is focused on discovering the truths about nature and finding/creating solutions to different problems. It includes: • logical reasoning based on sound observations • critical analysis of data • Empirical testing of ideas to obtain a reliable body of knowledge Scientific Attitudes A person must possess certain attitudes to be successful in making scientific investigations It is important to practice scientific attitudes and values in order to obtain and apply scientific knowledge and skills wisely Scientific Attitudes Curiosity - desire to learn. A curious person frequently asks questions about the world. Objectivity - being able to distinguish true observations from hearsay. An objective person decides based on logical reason and facts. He or she is not easily influenced by other people. Open-mindedness - ability of a person to accept new ideas an information. Scientific Attitudes Perseverance - the ability of a person to continue to work in spite of many obstacles. It involves determination to finish one's work. Humility - absence of arrogance and pride. Ability to accept failure - To a scientist, failure may actually be a way to success. Failing in one's work may lead to find new ways to resolve a problem. Scientific Attitudes Skepticism - the ability to question the validity and authenticity of something considered factual. Intellectual honesty - means recognizing the work of other scientist before him or her, and reporting data truthfully.