What is Science? Ian Anderson – Saint Ignatius College, Geelong

What is Science? Some definitions. “ Science (from the Latin scientia , meaning ‘knowledge’ or ‘knowing’) is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding of how the physical world works.” (from Wikipedia) “ Any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation.” (from Encyclopaedia Britannica)

Some definitions.

“ Science (from the Latin scientia , meaning ‘knowledge’ or ‘knowing’) is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding of how the physical world works.” (from Wikipedia)

“ Any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation.” (from Encyclopaedia Britannica)

What is Science? Are these definitions confusing?

Are these definitions confusing?

What is Science? Want a simpler definition? “Science is the knowledge gained from using observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us.”

Want a simpler definition?

“Science is the knowledge gained from using observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us.”

What is Science? How does Science differ from other fields of study? “Science is the knowledge gained from using observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us.”

How does Science differ from other fields of study?

“Science is the knowledge gained from using observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us.”

What is Science? How does Science differ from other fields of study? “Science is the knowledge gained from using observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us.”

How does Science differ from other fields of study?

“Science is the knowledge gained from using observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us.”

What is Science? All scientists observe things, try to explain their observations and then conduct experiments to test their ideas. This process is known as scientific method .

All scientists observe things, try to explain their observations and then conduct experiments to test their ideas.

This process is known as

scientific method .

What is Science? Scientific method. A way to solve a problem. Make an observation Develop an idea about why it happens Think of experiments to test the ideas Predict what will happen in the experiments Observe what actually happens Modify ideas if predictions were wrong

Scientific method.

A way to solve a problem.

Observation Observation is one of the most important tools for a scientist.

Observation is one of the most important tools for a scientist.

(Source: Science Quest 1 Student Workbook)

What did you observe? What was the time? What was the date? Describe the person at the front of the queue: Was it a man or woman? Was he or she tall or short? Was he or she fat or thin? What was he or she doing with their hands? (Source: Science Quest 1 Student Workbook)

What was the time?

What was the date?

Describe the person at the front of the queue:

Was it a man or woman?

Was he or she tall or short?

Was he or she fat or thin?

What was he or she doing with their hands?

(Source: Science Quest 1 Student Workbook)

What was the time?

What was the date?

Describe the person at the front of the queue:

What is a scientist? A scientist is a person who experiments in order to learn.

A scientist is a person who experiments in order to learn.

Where do scientists work? There are many different types of scientists.

There are many different types of scientists.

Where do scientists work? An astronomer studies stars, planets and other objects in the universe.

An astronomer studies

stars, planets and other objects in the universe.

Where do scientists work? A biochemist studies chemical substances found in living organisms.

A biochemist studies

chemical substances found in living organisms.

Where do scientists work? A botanist studies plants.

A botanist studies

plants.

Where do scientists work? A chemist studies chemical substances such as plastics, metals and food.

A chemist studies

chemical substances such as plastics, metals and food.

Where do scientists work? An ecotoxicologist studies the harmful effects of chemicals on the environment, including animals and plants.

An ecotoxicologist studies

the harmful effects of chemicals on the environment, including animals and plants.

Where do scientists work? A geologist studies the earth, including rocks and soils and how they form.

A geologist studies

the earth, including rocks and soils and how they form.

Where do scientists work? A pharmacologist studies medicines and drugs.

A pharmacologist studies

medicines and drugs.

Where do scientists work? A zoologist studies animals.

A zoologist studies

animals.

What is not Science? Studies that are not based on the scientific method (yet are claimed to be scientific) are called pseudoscience . i.e. they make claims that are not testable. Pseudoscience is often seen in advertising.

Studies that are not based on the scientific method (yet are claimed to be scientific) are called pseudoscience .

i.e. they make claims that are not testable.

Pseudoscience is often seen in advertising.

What is Science? Can students be scientists? Yes we can!

Can students be scientists?

Yes we can!