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What is Science?
Observation and Inference
What is Science?“Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.”
“Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself.”Richard Feynman
PhysicistNobel Prize Winner
“Science is an internally consistent set of lies designed to explain away the universe.”
Art BeaucoupPaleobiologist
3-Aspects of Science
Scientific Knowledge
Nature of Science
Science Processes
FactsConceptsModelsLawsTheories
3-Aspects of Science
Science Processes
Scientific Knowledge
Nature of Science
Process Skills:QuestioningObservingMeasuringInferringPredictingClassifying
3-Aspects of Science
Scientific Knowledge
Nature of Science
Science Processes
Science as a way of knowing.
3-Aspects of Science
Scientific Knowledge
Nature of Science
Science Processes
Process vs. Nature of Science
Observation-–Using your 5 senses to gather information about your
surroundings–What you “see” happening
Inference-–A conclusion based on evidence–An “educated guess” –What you “think” is happening
Comics in the Classroom
Make observations and inferences about the following cartoons.
“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and lab equipment, Norm….Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”
“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and lab equipment, Norm….Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”
What’s the Point?
• Good way to practice making observations and inferences (process skills)
• Reinforces concept that scientific knowledge is based on observations and inferences (nature of science)
“Field Science” 201
Your science class is on a field trip to a fossil bed in Alberta, Canada. While exploring the site, you discover a slab of rock covered with interesting impressions. Your instructor invites the class to make observations and inferences about the imprints…
Conclusion Points
• Scientific knowledge is a combination of observation and inference.
• Inferences are tentative.
• As you get new data, your inferences can change.
Process vs. Nature of Science
If observations is using your 5 senses to gather information about your surroundings
Observe This
and
Make Observations & Inferences!