Questions and Answers
What is science?
The process of identifying patterns in nature and developing explanations of how and why those patterns exist.
Which of the following is not a practice used in science and engineering?
All scientists follow the scientific method in the same order.
False
What do scientists use to collect evidence?
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What forms can models take?
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Scientific explanations must be supported by __________.
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What is the purpose of a scientific law?
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How do scientists develop scientific explanations?
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Study Notes
Understanding Science
- Science is a systematic study of the natural world, aiming to identify patterns and formulate explanations.
- It involves experimentation and observation to collect evidence supporting those explanations.
- There isn't one definitive scientific method; scientists utilize eight science and engineering practices in various combinations.
Scientific Inquiry
- Scientists begin with questions about the natural world that can be answered through evidence.
- Evidence is gathered via planned investigations, which may include experiments or careful observations, especially in fields like paleontology and astronomy.
Data Analysis and Modeling
- Investigations generate data in different forms, such as observations or numerical measurements.
- Analysis of this data is crucial for identifying patterns and understanding relationships, often represented through graphs.
- Models, whether physical, conceptual, or computer-based, help scientists visualize ideas or processes and form new questions.
Mathematical Tools in Science
- Mathematics serves as a key tool in illustrating relationships between variables, from simple equations to complex computational models.
- The goal across all science branches is to construct explanations supported by ample evidence, enhancing confidence in those explanations.
Distinction Between Laws and Theories
- Scientific theories explain the "how" or "why" of phenomena, while laws describe patterns of what happens in nature without explanation.
- Increasing evidence strengthens scientific explanations, leading to higher confidence levels in those claims.
Collaborative Nature of Science
- Constructing scientific explanations requires rigorous debate over evidence, necessitating regular communication among scientists.
- About half of a scientist's time is devoted to obtaining, evaluating, and sharing information through conferences and publications.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of science in this quiz designed for students in grades 6 to 8. Understand the process of identifying patterns in nature, experimentation, and the eight science practices used by scientists. Test your knowledge of key concepts related to scientific methods and observations.