2. The Basic Scientific Method
• 5 steps
Observation - all 5 senses
Hypothesis - prediction
about the relationship
between cause & effect
Experiment/Gather Data
Analysis/Interpret Data
Conclusion
Research - get as
much info as you
can before
beginning
3. Levels of certainty
• Hypothesis:
Prediction
very specific
Testable
falsifiable
• Theory
supported by tons of evidence,
widely accepted
Broad
carries a lot of weight in
science
falsifiable
• Scientific Law
Widely accepted
All evidence supports it
here and in the universe
So far…
4.
5. Frontier Science
• New stuff
• Not widely tested yet
• Many scientists skeptical (yay!)
• Examples:
Advanced alternative energy technologies
Emerging areas of physics
Space propulsion beyond rockets
7. Unreliable Science
• Not peer
reviewed
(straight to the
public)
• Discarded by
scientists
• BE CRITICAL!
8. The Limits of Science
• Scientists can
disprove things
• Science cannot
absolutely prove
anything – always
some degree of
uncertainty
• Instead we say there
is a high probability
that it is true
9. The Limits of Science
• Researcher bias – our feelings, opinions,
etc sometimes get in the way of impartial
research
Peer review helps minimize this issue
10. Listen…Learn…
• 8 minute radio interview with a
wildlife photographer
• As you listen, think about these
questions:
• Do animals have feelings
the way humans do - or –
do we anthropomorphize
too much?
• What evidence do you have
(if any) for this position?
• Is anthropomorphism
helpful to
environmentalists?
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28. The Limits of Science
• Statistical tools have
limits
Can’t actually count all the
fish in the sea!
Sampling methods used
Data still important –
especially trends in data
over time
29.
30. The Limits of Science
• The environment is SO
complex
• Scientists use computer
models to simulate
conditions
• Can be helpful for large
scale things like climate
change
32. Where in the world is Borneo?Where in the world is Borneo?
33.
34. DirectionsDirections
1.1. Read over the different eventsRead over the different events
2.2. LIST them on your paper in theLIST them on your paper in the
order you think they happenedorder you think they happened
Bonus pointsBonus points
for gettingfor getting
pretty closepretty close
(less than 3-(less than 3-
4 off)4 off)
35. Some help…Some help…
The first event is:The first event is:
W.H.O. sent DDT toW.H.O. sent DDT to
BorneoBorneo
The last event is:The last event is:
Cats were parachutedCats were parachuted
inin
A food web present inA food web present in
Borneo: on boardBorneo: on board
So you are tryingSo you are trying
to figure out:to figure out:
WHY did theWHY did the
W.H.O. have toW.H.O. have to
parachute catsparachute cats
into Borneo?into Borneo?
What led up toWhat led up to
that?!?that?!?