What Is A Scientist?

And more importantly, how can I become one?

PowerPoint by Veronica Gould

What Is Science?

Before we can know what a scientist is, we have to understand

science

.

Science is systematic knowledge of the physical world gained through

observation

and

experimentation

.

Observation

Using our senses, we observe things happening in the world around us every day, like: • • • • • a thunderstorm a bird flying to its nest two paint colors mixing to form a third shivering in the wintertime the sound a cricket makes

Observation

A scientist observes these things, too!

When scientists make their observations, they

always

write them down.

Scientists write their observations • • • in science journals on data sheets on experiment sheets

What’s the difference between any person doing an experiment and a true scientist?

a) A scientist has a PhD.

b) A scientist has the proper equipment.

c) A scientist writes down observations.

d) A scientist wears a lab coat.

Even though many scientists have PhDs and special technology — even a lab coat — the most important tool any scientist could have is a notebook to write down their observations!

In fact, when you write in your science notebook, you join the scientific community as some of the youngest scientists. Welcome!

A scientist ALWAYS writes down their observations!

Performing An Experiment

Before you can become a scientist, there are a few things you need to know about performing science experiments.

1. Scientists work in groups or teams.

2. Scientists use experiments to try to answer questions.

3. Scientists follow steps in an experiment.

4. Experiments can be a lot of FUN, and scientists always use experiments to learn.

Is this an example of an experiment?

...It Might Not Be!

Although lab equipment is often used in scientific experiments, equipment

alone

does not indicate experimentation.

So how do we recognize experiment?

Experimentation An experiment does the following:

o o o o Attempts to answer a question about the physical world Follows a procedure Tests an idea or hypothesis Uses models or controlled systems

Everyday Experiments

You perform experiments every day without even knowing it!

An experiment doesn't always use fancy lab equipment. Sometimes it’s as simple as testing a pen on a piece of paper to see if it will write.

Can you think of any other examples of experiments?

So who is a scientist?

Margaret Mead

, anthropologist who observed and wrote about Samoan culture.

Nikola Tesla

, engineer who worked with electricity.

James Watson

, biologist who developed a model for DNA.

Francoise Barre Sinoussi

, virologist who identified HIV as the cause of AIDS

George Washington Carver,

botanist who invented over 100 uses for the peanut.

Who else is a scientist?

Y o u a r e !