7th Grade Marine Science Unit 1: Nature of Science

Observation

Observation

Which skill involves using the senses to gather information?

Classifying

Which skill involves grouping items so that they are organized in some way?

Inferring

Which skill involves creating reasonable explanations based on observations?

Predicting

Which skill involves using past observations to make a statement about what will happen in the future?

Analyzing

Which skill involves evaluating data to reach a conclusion?

Science

What field of study is defined as an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural and physical world?

Qualitative observation

What scientific skill (be specific) is Bob using in the following scenario?

Bob studied his rock carefully. He wrote down facts about its color, shape and texture.

Quantitative Observation

What scientific skill (be specific) is Bob using in the following scenario?

Bob studied the apple closely and identified 4 worm holes and 2 soft spots. (Needless to say, Bob did not eat the apple!)

Scientific Method

A logical, systematic approach to the solution of a scientific problem

What is the first step of the scientific method?

Ask a Question

When conducting the scientific method, your hypothesis must be _____________________

testable

The last step of the scientific method is...

form a conclusion

What is Bias?

a preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of thinking or feeling over another. In science this influences the outcome of an investigation and can invalidate results.

What does is mean to be Objective?

to make conclusions that are not influenced by personal feelings or opinions when considering and representing observations and facts

What does it mean to be Subjective?

to make decisions or conclusions based on personal opinions, feelings, and attitudes

Why is it important to avoid bias in science?

to ensure the outcome of an investigation is solely based on physical or observable evidence

How do we prevent bias from influencing scientific outcomes? (Hint: Neil Degrasse Tyson Video)

Scientists will always replicate your experiment (do the same thing and see if they get the same results) and a Scientist's career depends on their reputation for being honest and transparent in their work (otherwise no one would listen to them/ accept their work).

The variable that is changed in the experiment.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is measured in the experiment.

Dependent Variable

All of the possible things that could affect the results of the experiment.

Variable

The variables that we keep the same (hold constant) so that they do not change during the experiment.

Constant

An educated prediction of the results of the experiment.

Hypothesis

To think about the data and observations recorded during an experiment to make sense of the results.

Analyze

Summary of the results of an experiment using data to support your claim.

Conclusion

Specific step-by-step instructions for how to conduct an experiment.

Procedure

Conduct a controlled test to answer a specific question.

Experiment

An organized way to answer an experimental question.

Scientific Method

The standard against which the researcher compares the results from each level of treatment.

What is a "control" in an experiment?

These are observations that describe "qualities" of something. These would include characteristics such as texture, color, shape, and do not involve counting or measuring.

Describe a qualitative observation.

involves counting or measuring using standard scales. This would include such things as mass, volume, time, temperature, frequency of occurrence, etc.

Describe a quantitative observation.

The process of grouping things based on their similarities

Classification

A system of measurement based on the number ten. The basic unit of capacity is the liter. The basic unit of length is the meter. The basic unit of mass is the gram.

Metric system

Water displacement method

How do you calculate density of an irregular object?

tests only one variable and is free of bias

Describe a controlled experiment

it is less dense

Why does ice float on water? (Hint: What did we learn about Density?)

To read a line graph, first identify the labels on the x and y axes to understand what data is being represented, then follow the line to see how the data changes over time, noting any increases, decreases, or significant points where the line sharply changes direction

How do you read a line graph?

a well-substantiated (supported) explanation of some aspect of the natural world. attempts to explain how or why something happens.

A scientific theory is:

A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions. DOES NOT attempt to explain.

A scientific law is:

Volume

The amount of space an object takes up

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter in an object

Density

Mass per unit volume
Equation: Density equals "Broken heart" or D = m/V

Meniscus

The curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube

How was the celsius system determined?

Using the properties of water: The freezing point of water is 0 degrees, the boiling point of water is 100 degrees.