Nature of Science

Objectives

1. Identify what science, the scientific method, and biology are.

2.  Be able to design and carry out a scientific investigation.

• Ask a scientific question

• Identify variables (independent, dependent, and control) and groups/treatments (control, experimental)

• Design a fair test which properly controls variables

• Form a claim based upon experimental results

3. Be able to use communicate about science using correct vocabulary (hypothesis vs fact vs theory vs law)

Vocabulary

Science

Biology

Hypothesis

Data

Variable

• Control or Controlled Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

Experimental Group

Control Group

Treatment

Trial

Claim

Fact

Theory

Law

Textbook Reference

Chapter 1

Relevant Files

Unit Notes (Feel free to take notes directly on/in it! Either copy, download, or print as handouts and bring to class):  

Annotated Example CER:

CER Rubric:

CER Checklist:

MCAS Practice

The MCAS Biology exam does not ask questions directly about nature of science concepts. However, scientific testing will often be the context for questions about other concepts.

For instance, a question about photosynthesis may give you a data table displaying results from a plant growth experiment. Or, for another example, a question may mention "cell theory," and unless you read the question using the scientific and not "normal English" definition of the word theory, you may select the wrong answer.