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Why should we trust science?
Science is based on observation, prediction, testing, data collection and analysis. Scientists consciously work to create direct links between observed phenomena and accurate data. Science attempts to eliminate bias, recognize sources of error, and view multiple perspectives while remaining open to alternative explanations and the potential for changes of thought as new evidence arises.
Warm Ups:
See Without Seeing - students identify observations as DIRECT or INDIRECT. It can be followed by a discussion of the relative validity of the data collected from these types of observation.
What's Right? - students evaluate several scenarios which require an ethical decision. They must make a choice and explain/justify their choice.
Instruction, Presentations, Assignments, Activities, etc:
Activity - The Nature of Science
- students visit this site and fill in the left hand column of the handout using the major subheading titles from the chapter.
- Post-It Summary - individual students are assigned to read a specific description and then compose a simple summary of the meaning of their section. The description is written on a post-it note which is added to a chart on the board.
- Break them into groups and give them discussion prompts
- Group discussion/revision of summaries
- Whole class discuss the prompts & summary - fill in right hand column of handout
Notes - The Nature & Numbers of Science (AAAS)
WS - The Numbers of Science - students are given data in the form of tables (with frequency distribution,) Histograms, Line Plots and Scatter Plots.
Handout - The Nature and Numbers of Science - reviews the notes and vocabulary (teacher note: print first two pages on one side of an 11"x17" sheet, enlarge page 3 on the other side)
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