Transcript What is Science? - OnCourse Systems

Pg. 25 Left Side
• A few hundred years ago, observations
seemed to indicate that some living things
could just suddenly appear: maggots
appeared on meat, mice were found on grain,
and beetles turned up on cow dung. These
observations led to the incorrect idea that life
could arise from nonliving matter. Write a
paragraph for a history magazine evaluating
the spontaneous generation hypothesis. Why
did it seem logical at the time? What evidence
was overlooked or ignored?
Hook 1
• What is science?
• How can you tell if something is science or
not? Provide an Example.
Hook 2
• Four students were having a discussion about how
scientists do their work. This is what they said:
– Antoine: “I think scientists just try out different things
until something works.”
– Tamara: “I think there is a definite set of steps all
scientists follow called the scientific method.”
– Marcos: “I think scientists use different methods
depending on their question.”
– Avery: “I think scientists use different methods but
they all involve doing experiments.”
Which student do you most agree with?
Explain why you agree with that student and include
why you disagree with the other students.
What is Science?
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Characteristics of Science
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Consistent
Observable
Natural
Predictable
Testable
Tentative
1. Consistent
• Repeated observations/experiments give
the same results
Which of the following is a scientific
statement?
a. Green plants will grow towards a light
source.
b. Walking under a ladder will cause bad
luck.
2. Observable
• The event or evidence of the event can be
observed and explained using the 5 human
senses or extensions of the senses.
Which of the following is a scientific
statement?
a. Some plants eat meat.
b. Extraterrestrial beings have visited Earth.
3. Natural
• A natural cause must be used to explain
why or how the naturally occurring event
happens. Scientists may NOT use
supernatural explanations as the
supernatural is outside of the realm of
science.
Which of the following is a scientific
statement?
a. Green plants convert sunlight into energy.
b. With a rod, Moses parted the sea so his
people could cross to the other side.
4. Predictable
• The natural cause of the naturally occurring
event can be used to make predictions.
Each prediction can be tested to determine
if it is true.
Which of the following is a scientific
statement?
a. Without sunlight (or artificial light), green
plants will die.
b. If you are a “Scorpio”, your horoscope for
today is “You’ll be saying ‘I feel rich!’
Lunar position highlights back pay, refunds
and correction of accounting error.”
5. Testable
• The natural cause of the event can be
tested through the process of science
(controlled experiment). Reference to the
supernatural events or causes are not
relevant tests.
Which of the following is a scientific
statement?
a. The Bermuda triangle causes ships and
planes to disappear.
b. Life comes from life and cannot come
from non-life.
6. Tentativeness
• Scientific theories are subject to revision
and correction, even to the point of a
theory being wrong. Scientific theories
have been modified and will continue to
be to consistently explain observations of
naturally occurring events.
Which of the following is a scientific
statement?
a. The number of human chromosomes was once
“known” to be 48, but is now considered to be 46.
b. Living things were once grouped into 2 major groups,
then 3, then 4, and now 5, because the criteria used
for classifying living things has changed.
c. We know that the world began about 6000 years
ago, and nothing will change that.
d. At one time, it was thought the heart pumped blood
out of a large container as an “open system,” but now
it is known that blood “circulates” in a closed system.
Science
• Meets the criteria of being:
1. Consistent
2. Observable
3. Natural
4. Predictable
5. Testable
6. Tentative
Emerging Science/Protoscience
• Conforms to most CONPTT criteria but
falls short in one or two areas
• Consistent observations and predictions
may be limited by knowledge or
technology
• Examples: parapsychology (clairvoyance,
precognition, psychokinesis)
Non-Science
• Area of knowledge which does not meet
the criteria of science
• May be very logical and based on good
reasoning but simply do not fall into the
realm of science
Examples: religious beliefs, philosophy,
personal opinions and attitudes, ethics
False Science/ Pseudoscience
• Non-science that is portrayed and
advertised as a legitimate science by its
followers and supporters
• Examples: Astrology