The goal of science is to provide explanations for events in the natural world and to understand patterns in nature to make useful predictions about natural events.
Scientific methodology involves observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.
Key Terms
1. Science- organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world
2. Observation- the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way
3. Inference- an interpretation based on what scientists already know
4. Hypothesis- a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested
5. Controlled Experiment- an experiment where only one variable changes
6. Independent Variable- the variable that is changed
7. Dependent Variable- the variable that is observed, changes due to the independent variable
8. Control Group- exposed to the same conditions as the dependent variable except one independent variable is exposed to change
9. Data- records of experimental observations
Lesson 2
Curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, and creativity help scientists generate new ideas.
Peer-review helps scientists to share ideas and to evaluate each other’s work.
In science, the word theory enables scientists to make accurate predictions.
Using science involves understanding its context in society and its limitations.
Key Terms
1. Theory- applies to a well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses
2. Bias- a point of view that is personal, not scientific
Lesson 3
Living things are made up of cells (based on a universal genetic code), they obtain and use materials and energy to grow, develop, reproduce, respond to the environment, maintain a stable environment, and change over time.
The study of biology revolves around several interlocking big ideas: the cellular basis of life; information and heredity; matter