Lesson 1 | Understanding Science



Lesson 1 | Understanding Science

|Student Labs and Activities |Page |Appropriate For: |

|Content Vocabulary |6 |all students |

|Lesson Outline |7 |all students |

|Content Practice A |9 |[pic] |

|Content Practice B |10 | [pic] |

|School to Home |11 |all students |

|Key Concept Builders |12 |[pic] |

|Enrichment |16 |all students |

|Challenge |17 | [pic] |

|Assessment | | |

|Lesson Quiz A |18 |[pic] |

|Lesson Quiz B |19 | [pic] |

| | | |

| | | |

|[pic] |Approaching Level |[pic] |On Level |[pic] |Beyond Level |[pic] |English-Language Learner |

Teacher evaluation will determine which activities to use or modify to meet any student’s proficiency level.

Scientific Explanations 5

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Directions: Answer each question or respond to each statement on the lines provided. You must include the terms

below in your answers.

|biology |critical thinking |ethics |hypothesis |inference |

|observation |prediction |scientific law |scientific theory |technology |

1. What are three examples of technology?

2. What is observation? Why is it important to scientists?

3. What role does critical thinking play in evaluating scientific evidence?

4. How is a scientific law different from a scientific theory?

5. How do you make an inference?

6. Contrast a hypothesis and a prediction.

7. Why are ethics particularly important in specific types of scientific investigation?

8. Define biology. Name two other branches of science.

6 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

A. What is science?

1. The investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information

that results from those investigations is called .

2. Scientists observe the natural world and form about

what they see.

3. Scientists use reliable skills and in problem solving.

B. Branches of Science

1. Life science, or , is the study of all living things.

2. science is the study of Earth, including its landforms,

rocks, soil, and forces that shape Earth’s surface.

3. Physical science is the study of and physics; physical

scientists study the interactions of matter and .

C. Scientific Inquiry

1. As scientists study the world, they ask questions about

what they observe.

2. Scientists practice inquiry—a process that uses a variety

of skills and tools to answer questions.

3. A scientist usually begins a scientific investigation by making a(n)

, which involves gathering information.

4. A(n) is a logical explanation of an observation that is

drawn from prior knowledge or experience.

5. After making observations and inferences, scientists sometimes form a(n)

that can be tested by scientific investigation.

6. When a scientist forms a hypothesis, he or she usually makes

a(n) , or a statement about what will happen next in

a(n) of events.

7. Testing a(n) often means testing predictions; if the

prediction is confirmed, it the hypothesis, and if the

prediction is not confirmed, the hypothesis might need revision.

Scientific Explanations 7

Name Date Class

Lesson Outline continued

8. Three ways to organize are to create graphs, classify

information, and make models and .

9. Scientists must decide whether or not the they have

collected support their hypothesis.

10. Scientists might make more inferences when drawing .

11. Communicating is important because scientists use new

information in their .

D. Results of Scientific Inquiry

1. Outcomes of scientific inquiry may include technology, new

, and possible explanations for phenomena.

2. The practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial

use, is called .

E. Scientific Theory and Scientific Laws

1. An explanation of observations or events based on knowledge gained from many

observations and investigations is called a(n) .

2. A(n) describes a pattern or an event in nature that is

always true.

3. It is important to be , or to question information, about

scientific issues presented in the media.

4. Comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to

decide whether you agree with it is called .

5. Science cannot answer questions about opinions,

values, beliefs, or .

6. Scientists follow safety when they conduct

.

7. It is important to follow when you work with living

things or do research with people.

8 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle with the correct terms from the word bank.

|hypothesis |inference |observation |prediction |

|scientific law |scientific theory |technology | |

Across

4. describes a pattern or an event in

nature that is always true

5. the practical use of scientific

knowledge, especially for industrial or

commercial use

6. using one or more senses to gather

information and notice what occurs

7. a possible explanation about an

observation that can be tested by

scientific investigations

Down

1. a statement about what will happen

next in a sequence of events

2. a logical explanation of an observation

that is drawn from prior knowledge or

experience

3. an explanation of observations or

events based on knowledge gained

from many observations and

investigations

Scientific Explanations 9

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Directions: On the line before each question, write L if the question might be asked by a life scientist, E if the

question might be asked by an Earth scientist, or P if the question might be asked by a physical scientist.

1. How do rocks form?

2. How does an object’s motion change?

3. What substances are in soil?

4. Why does a liquid change to a solid?

5. How do plants produce their own food?

6. Why do some animals give birth to live young and others lay eggs?

7. How are force and motion related?

8. How are reptiles and birds related?

9. What causes earthquakes?

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct answer.

10. ___________________________ is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from these investigations.

11. A possible explanation about an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations is a __________________________.

12. The practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial is ______________________________.

13. A ______________________ describes a pattern or an event in nature that is always true.

10 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Directions: Use your textbook to complete the activity.

Fill in the table about the branches of science. In the second column, write a description of

each branch of science in your own words. Then, read in your textbook the examples of

questions asked by scientists in each branch of science. In the third column, write three

additional questions that might be asked by scientists in each field.

|Branch of |Description |Questions |

|Science | | |

|Life science | | |

| | | |

| | |a. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | |b. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | |c. |

|Earth science | | |

| | | |

| | |a. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | |b. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | |c. |

|Physical science | | |

| | | |

| | |a. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | |b. |

| | | |

| | | |

| | |c. |

Scientific Explanations 11

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Key Concept What is scientific inquiry?

Directions: Answer each question in the space provided.

|Question |Answer |

|1. What steps might a scientist take | |

|when he or she asks questions? | |

|2. What steps might a scientist take | |

|when he or she tests a hypothesis? | |

|3. What different things might a | |

|scientist do when he or she analyzes | |

|results? | |

|4. Inferring and reasoning fall under | |

|which step of scientific inquiry? | |

|5. What conditions might cause a | |

|scientist to modify or revise a | |

|hypothesis? | |

|6. What are some ways that a scientist | |

|can communicate results? | |

12 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Key Concept What is scientific inquiry?

Directions: On each line, write the term from the word bank that correctly completes each sentence. Each term is

used only once.

|analyze |communicate |conclusion |

|hypothesis |observation |prediction |

|science |scientific inquiry |scientific investigations |

(1.) is the investigation and exploration of natural events

and of the new information that results from those investigations. Scientists use a set of

skills called (2.) to find answers to their questions.

(3.) is a scientific skill that involves using your senses to gather

information and take note of what occurs. After making an observation, a scientist might

form a(n) (4.) , which is a possible explanation about an

observation that can be tested by (5.) .

When a scientist forms a hypothesis, he or she usually makes a(n)

(6.) , or a statement about what will happen next in a sequence

of events. After a hypothesis is tested, a scientist must (7.) the

results. A scientist might then draw a(n) (8.) based on the

results. Scientists write articles or speak at conferences to (9.)

their results to other scientists and to the public.

Directions: Answer the question on the lines provided.

Scientific Explanations 13

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Key Concept What are the results of scientific investigations?

Directions: Complete the concept map with the correct information in the space provided.

Directions: On the line before each description, write ST if the description represents a scientific theory or SL if

the description represents a scientific law.

1. observation of similar events that have been observed repeatedly

2. attempts to explain why something happens

3. is based on repeated observations and scientific investigations

4. states that something will happen

14 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Key Concept How can a scientist prevent bias in a scientific investigation?

Directions: Answer each question in the space provided.

|Question |Answer |

|1. What is bias? | |

|2. What are some sources of bias? | |

|3. What is a blind study? | |

|4. How can a blind study help | |

|reduce bias? | |

|5. What is sampling? | |

|6. What can be done to reduce | |

|bias in sampling? | |

|7. What is repetition? | |

|8. How can repetition help reduce | |

|bias? | |

Scientific Explanations 15

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Science and Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience is a method, belief, or

practice that might appear to be scientific

but does not follow appropriate scientific

protocol. Its most important flaw is the lack

of controlled, thoughtful, peer-reviewed

experiments that are the foundation of the

natural sciences.

Legitimate Science v. Junk Science

Legitimate science has its weaknesses

and bumps in the road. Many experiments

are done incorrectly or interpreted wrongly.

Occasionally, a scientist is so enthusiastic

about his or her results that the studies are

made public before they can be reviewed.

But genuine science has a backup plan—

repetition and peer review. Genuine science

has the support and critical review of the

science community at large, and this makes

problems generally self-correcting.

Junk science, on the other hand, is

seldom peer reviewed. It nearly always has

an element of politics or sales marketing

behind it. For example, a certain claim was

recently circulated around the Internet that

the oil companies were suppressing the

discovery of water as a fuel. This is junk.

On the Internet, don’t believe claims that

someone lost 9 kg per week due to one

fantastic discovery. It’s junk, and it is

pseudoscience.

Here are some ways to tell the difference

between real science and pseudoscience.

1. Science attempts to achieve a better

understanding of the natural world.

Pseudoscience is more often driven by

political or commercial goals.

2. Science expands knowledge through

disciplined investigation. Pseudoscience

attempts to justify an existing belief.

3. Science meets contradictions of

established theory with further

experimentation. Pseudoscience ignores

or suppresses contradictions.

4. Science constantly tests its own

principles and alters theories in the

search for truth. Pseudoscience cannot

be falsified or verified and, therefore,

can’t be tested or disproved.

If you recognize pseudoscience, you

might be able to avoid it. But those who have

less ability for critical thinking or who don’t

have the tools or information are more likely

to become targets for health or commercial

scams. Stay informed. Look for the real thing.

|Science |Pseudoscience |

|Here are the facts. |Here is the conclusion. |

|What conclusions can |What facts can we |

|we draw from them? |find to support it? |

Applying Critical-Thinking Skills

Directions: Answer each question or respond to each statement.

1. Compare How does the graphic clearly illustrate the difference between science and

pseudoscience?

2. Point out What are two subject areas in which pseudoscience is likely to be found?

What might it look or sound like when it is encountered?

16 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

What questions can be tested scientifically?

Some of the best, well-formed questions cannot be answered because they cannot be

tested. Recall that a hypothesis is an explanatory statement about an observation that can

be tested. How could you form a testable hypothesis based on the question, “Are freckles

more attractive than dimples?” It is difficult to objectively quantify attractiveness.

Furthermore, not all hypotheses can be investigated in a controlled experiment. Some

questions, especially those dealing with people and behavior, must be investigated in

another way. Data have to be obtained in some way that can be quantified or objectively

measured.

Use Scientific Methods

Consider this statement: Roses are more beautiful than daisies because they have fewer

petals. Is this statement a well-stated hypothesis that can be tested scientifically? If it is,

explain how. If it is not, explain why not.

1. Revise the statement above so you can state a testable hypothesis regarding roses and

daisies. Be narrow and specific when you restate the hypothesis. Do not include

extraneous variables.

2. Design a scientific investigation to test your revised hypothesis.

3. Describe in detail how you will collect your data and how you will organize and

analyze your data.

4. Explain how you will communicate your results.

5. With approval and permission, perform your investigation.

6. Use the flowchart below to help you design your investigation.

Scientific Explanations 17

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Matching

Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is

used only once.

Matching Set 1

1. a possible explanation of an observation that can

be tested by scientific investigations

2. an explanation of observations or events based

on knowledge gained from many observations

and investigations

3. a description of a pattern or an event in nature

that is always true

A. scientific theory

B. scientific law

C. hypothesis

Matching Set 2

4. using one or more of your senses to gather

information and take note of what occurs

5. a statement about what will happen next in

a sequence of events

6. a logical explanation of an observation that is

drawn from prior knowledge or experience

A. inference

B. observation

C. prediction

Multiple Choice

Directions: On the line before each question or statement, write the letter of the correct answer.

7. The question “How do rocks form?” would be most likely studied by a scientist

working in the field of

A. life science.

B. Earth science.

C. physical science.

8. What is the first step in most scientific inquiries?

A. ask a question

B. write a scientific law

C. communicate results

18 Scientific Explanations

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Understanding Science

Matching

Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Not all terms

are used.

1. a possible explanation of an observation that can

be tested by scientific investigations

2. an explanation of observations or events based

on knowledge gained from many observations

and investigations

3. a description of a pattern or an event in nature

that is always true

4. using one or more of your senses to gather

information and take note of what occurs

5. a statement about what will happen next in

a sequence of events

6. a logical explanation of an observation that is

drawn from prior knowledge or experience

A. scientific theory

B. observation

C. inference

D. critical thinking

E. hypothesis

F. scientific law

G. prediction

Multiple Choice

Directions: On the line before each question, write the letter of the correct answer.

7. Which question would most likely be studied by a scientist working in the field

of physical science?

A. How do rocks form?

B. What substances are in soil?

C. How are birds and reptiles related?

D. How are force and motion related?

8. What is scientific inquiry?

A. the questioning of scientific laws

B. an unchanging set of steps used by all scientists

C. a method that always results in new scientific theories

D. a process that uses skills and methods to answer questions

Scientific Explanations 19

-----------------------

Content Vocabulary

Lesson Outline

Content Practice A

Content Practice B

School to Home

Key Concept Builder

Key Concept Builder

Key Concept Builder

Results of

Scientific

Investigations

Key Concept Builder

Enrichment

Challenge

Reject or revise your

hypothesis.

Perform investigation.

Form hypothesis.

Analyze results.

Communicate results.

Lesson Quiz A

Lesson Quiz B

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download