Concept 1 Study Guild- Nature of Science 

Essential Question

How are the nature of science, chemistry of life, and the four biological macro molecules foundational topics for all of biology?

Objectives

1. Define science

• Science is a particular way of knowing about the world

1. Give an example of a hypothesis in the correct format

• Hypothesis is a testable prediction based on observations (more than a guess) that describes a cause and effect relationship between variables
• If>>>>>then>>>>>because

1. Explain the relationship between independent and dependent variables within a hypothesis

• Independent variable is what the experimenter will deliberately change or manipulate in the investigation (Cause; x-axis)
• Dependent variable is what changes in response to the independent variable (Effect; y-axis)

1. Differentiate between observation and an inference

• Observation is a description of something you can see, smell, touch, taste, hear. That isn’t an opinion.
• Inference is a guess about the object or outcome based on your observations. There can be multiple inferences for one observation.

1. Explain the difference between accuracy and precision, and the significance of having data that is both.

• Precision is how close your measurements are to each other
• Accuracy is how close your measurements are to correct value

1. List the general steps in designing and conducting an experiment

• 1.Ask a question
• 2. Conduct background research
• 3. Construct a hypothesis
• 4. Test the hypothesis in an experiment
• 5. Analyze the data
• 6. Draw conclusions and communicate them

1. Give an example of scientific investigation design, with appropriate constants and variables.

• Question- Which light out of Red Blue or Green makes micro-green grow faster?
• IV= The red, blue, or green light
• DV= How tall the micro-greens grow
• Control= A plant in sunlight

1. Explain the general steps of the technological design process, and the criteria that must be considered when designing a solution

• Problem Identification- Clearly identify the problem
• Solution Design- Brainstorm, research, sketch, and narrow down to best design for product or process all within the constraints. Think about the cost and time effectiveness. Benefits and risks
• Implementation- build and test continually making improvements
• Evaluation- Determine if you solved the problem and met all of the constraints of the project

Vocab

• Fact = an objective, verifiable observation. (Ex. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.)
• Principle = a statement based on repeated experimental observation that describes an aspect of the world. (Ex. Greenhouse effect)
• Law= broad concept or principle (HOW)
• Theory= An explanation of an observed phenomenon
• Qualitative Observation: describes qualities
• Quantitative Observation: uses numbers to measure something
• Constants: the aspects of an experiment that are held constant/consistent
• Experimental Group: groups that are being tested
• Control Group: group used for comparison with your experimental groups. This is the “normal” group
• Technology: the advancement of society
• Engineering: applies scientific and mathematics principles to \n solve problems \n