Understanding the Scientific Process

Viewing Science

• Many view science as a subject for those who are naturally gifted at learning.
• The concept of science is often misrepresented as complex, challenging, and hard to understand.
• This perception leads students to steer clear of science, choosing subjects they perceive as easier.
• This trend hinders efforts to instill scientific beliefs and attitudes in young learners.
• There's a need to make science learning an exciting and engaging experience.

The Scientific Process

• The scientific process is a method of inquiry for understanding the natural and physical world.
• It is the foundation of experimentation and scientific knowledge.
• Understanding the scientific process helps in deriving predictions and confirmations from observations and information gathered through observation of various phenomena.
• It involves:
  • Observation: using all five senses to gather information systematically and objectively about different phenomena.
  • Questioning: using creative and critical thinking to link known and unknown ideas. Helps formulate testable questions based on observations.

Textbook Learning Experience

• Learning Objectives: Define what learners are expected to know at the end of each topic or chapter.
• Activity: Provides hands-on experience for students and provides opportunity to test learned theory or draw generalizations and build concepts.
• Do you know? This is provided as additional information to add to general knowledge in science (not for testing).
• Questions: Test the concepts learned and help students to test their understanding.
• Exercise: Contains different sets of questions to test learning in terms of scientific knowledge, skills, and values.
• Model Question Paper: Provides cues on the range of cognitive levels of learning, skills, values, and attitudes expected to be achieved through the science curriculum.

Cell

• The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
• Cells are the basic building blocks that make up all living organisms.
• Cells are the structural and functional unit of life.
• Cell organelles have specific structures and functions.
• Groups of similar cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs form organ systems.

Tissues

• Neuron: nerve cell
• Blood: connective tissue
• Egg: cell
• Leaf: organ
• Bone: tissue
• Flower: organ
• Bacteria: organism
• Mushroom: organism
• Bear: organism
• Eye: organ
• Human Skeleton: organ system
• Parenchyma: tissue

Human as Organism

• The human body is made up of bones, muscles, and tendons that work together for movement.
• There are three types of muscles:
  • Striated muscle: Voluntary muscle that helps us to move our body.
  • Non-striated muscle: Involuntary muscle, for example, the muscles in our digestive system.
  • Cardiac muscle: Muscle that helps the heart pump blood.

Foetal Development

• Zygote: Formed by the fusion of sperm and egg.
• Embryo: Formed by repeated divisions of the zygote.
• Foetus: Embryo develops into a foetus with human features
• Placenta: Organ attached to the wall of the uterus.
• Umbilical cord: Connects the placenta with the foetus.
• Gestation period: The time between the formation of the zygote and the birth of the baby (about 280 days).