Intro MEA101 Science Methods PDF

MEA101:601 - Physical Geology Module 1: Geology and the Scientific Process Review Course Syllabus and complete Learning Journal #1 before reviewing these notes Module 1 Learning Objectives (this material) 1. I can explain how geoscientists use repeatab...

MEA101:601 - Physical Geology Module 1: Geology and the Scientific Process Review Course Syllabus and complete Learning Journal #1 before reviewing these notes Module 1 Learning Objectives (this material) 1. I can explain how geoscientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to help guide critical decisions. 2. I can compare and contrast data and interpretations. 3. I can identify the differences between observations, hypotheses, and predictions in multiple scenarios (scientific process). 4. I can summarize the characteristics of the scientific process. Module 1 Learning Objectives (learning journal) 5. I can describe at least three different ways in which geology influences how and where we live. 6. I can describe what kinds of things geologists figure out by examining rocks, fossils and/or landscapes. 7. I can describe the types of images of Earth’s surface scientists use. 8. I can describe what types of data geoscientists collect, giving examples of each. 9. I can identify four types of jobs that different geologists might have for their careers. 1  Sample High Quality LJ Answers 6. I can describe what kinds of things geologists figure out by examining rocks, fossils and/or landscapes. By looking at the landscape, a geologist can tell how the land was formed. They can tell when it was formed by determining the chemical make up of the rocks and soil, and they can tell the history of the area, as in what lived there and what the climate was like, by looking at the fossils. They can also make predictions on what the are will be like or what might happen there in the future. For example, finding a fault line could mean there will be an earth quake sometime in the future. 7. I can describe the types of images of Earth’s surface scientists use. Geologists use aerial photography, pictures taken from the air, shaded-relief images, topographic images, satellite images, and geologic map images. Shaded-relief maps focus on exposing the shape of the land. Topographic maps uses a series of lines to show the elevation of the land. Satellite images show the distribution of the different features of the land by measuring wavelengths of light. Lastly, geological maps exposes the different geological features of a location on the surface. The Nature of Geology Geology Considers interactions among the four components of the Earth system - atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water, ice), biosphere (plants, animals), and geosphere (land, rocks, solid earth) 2  Science and the Scientific Process Science A process of discovery that increases our body of knowledge. Information that can be learned; much of it is waiting to be discovered. Curiosity and creativity in the search for answers to questions. The Nature of Geology Observe this view of North America and the surrounding ocean floor. What features do you notice? Are these features examples of data or interpretations? LO: I can compare and contrast data and interpretations. 3  Compare and contrast these images. Diamond Head Crater, Oahu, What is similar? Hawaii, is 1,066 meters in diameter and up to 230 meters in elevation. What is different? Can you identify and generate multiple examples of data and interpretations? Wolfe Creek crater, Australia, is 880 meters across and the floor of the crater From Earth Science Picture of the Day is about 60 meters below the rim. http://epod.usra.edu/blog/ LO: I can compare and contrast data and interpretations. Concept – Scientific Process Review the figure and determine: 1. How many images in the bottom row represent Mellinarks? 2. Which ones are Mellinarks? 4  Hypothesis, observation, prediction To “do science”, we need observations, a testable hypothesis, and one or more predictions based on the hypothesis. Hypothesis – a testable explanation or interpretation that can be verified or falsified Prediction – a statement of what will happen in a given situation or set of circumstances Observations – facts, measurements, information, data collected using the senses Concept – Scientific Process Review the figure and determine: 1. How many images in the bottom row represent Mellinarks? (What data did you use to make interpretations? Is it quantitative or qualitative?) Data: color, shapes and characteristics (e.g., presence of a “dot”) of objects. This is an example of qualitative data. 5  Concept – Scientific Process Review the figure and determine: 2. Which ones are Mellinarks? Separate out the “thinking steps”.  What were your initial observations? All Mellinarks are blue with a dot and tail. Non- Mellinarks can have up to two of these characteristics but not all three.  What was your hypothesis? Mellinarks are blue objects that contain a dot and tail.  What prediction did you make to test your hypothesis? I predict that three objects on the bottom row are Mellinarks, #1, #2, and #6. LO: I can identify the differences between observations, hypotheses, and predictions in multiple scenarios. Hypothesis, observation, prediction Size of People Scientific Method Study Read the article “Study: People Far Away From You Not Actually Smaller” Summarize the principal hypothesis under investigation Explain how it was tested Identify a prediction Identify one or more observations used to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction LO: I can identify the differences between observations, hypotheses, and predictions in multiple scenarios. 6  Steps in Investigation What Was Discovered Observation Gasoline in groundwater from well Questions from From leak in buried tank? observation Make predictions for Proposed explanations each explanation: if tank (Hypotheses) is cause, leak should be From tank Not from tank found in tank Collect data No leak in tank; wrong kind of (observations) to test gasoline in tank predictions Conclusion Contamination is from elsewhere LO: I can explain how geoscientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to guide critical decisions. Hypothesis, observation, prediction Red cube, Green cube Scientific Method Activity Watch the short video and complete the steps below 1. Make two observations: What happens when a red cube is added to bottle A? What happens when a green cube is added to bottle B? 2. Suggest at least two hypotheses to explain these observations. 3. Describe an experiment we could do now to test one of your hypotheses 4. Predict what you think would happen if you were to conduct the experiment. LO: I can identify the differences between observations, hypotheses, and predictions in multiple scenarios. 7  Science and the Scientific Process on Mars Two Mars Science Laboratory Mission Goals 1. Characterize the geology of Mars Curiosity measures Identify the chemicals and minerals in rocks and soils abundances of to interpret clues to processes that created and minerals. Different modified Martian crust. minerals are linked to different geological environments. Laser will vaporize rocks and a spectrograph will measure the composition of the resulting plasma (hot gas). Science and the Scientific Process on Mars Two Mars Science Laboratory Mission Goals 2. Determine habitability of Mars Previous rovers found evidence of water. Curiosity will look for 6 key chemical elements necessary for life (C, H, N, O, P, S). Instruments will search for compounds of carbon (e.g., methane) and other light elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, associated with life. 8  Science and the Scientific Process on Mars Two Mars Science Laboratory Mission Goals Activity: Generate one hypothesis and a related observation and prediction for Mars mission LO: I can summarize the characteristics of the scientific process. Reflection Exercise 1. Look over your notes and write a brief description of the scientific process involved in geological investigations. 2. Answer the following: a) What was the most useful thing you learned today? b) What remains the most confusing concept LO: I can summarize the characteristics of the scientific process. 9 Learning Objectives Reflection Activity How confident are you that you can successfully complete the learning objectives? I can explain how geoscientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to help guide critical decisions. I can’t I can do I can do I can do do this some of this most of this all of this I can compare and contrast data and interpretations I can’t I can do I can do I can do do this some of this most of this all of this I can identify the differences between observations, hypotheses, and predictions in multiple scenarios (scientific process). I can’t I can do I can do I can do do this some of this most of this all of this I can summarize the characteristics of the scientific process. I can’t I can do I can do I can do do this some of this most of this all of this Geology and the Scientific Process Notes by David McConnell Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences January 2014 10