Nature of science

Nature of Science Ms. Maria Glofelsa O.

Quiambao

“Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house.”

Henri Poincaré

Science concept…?

Our search towards the truth…What comes into mind when we hear

the word SCIENCE?When you were younger, why were

you asking your parents a lot of questions? What are these questions?

How is Science related to technology?

Why… oh WHY do I have to learn these things?!

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGYLatin word:

‘scire’ meaning to know.

Study of the natural world.

Describes nature through laws & theories obtained through systematic analysis of phenomena.

Application of scientific principles in industry, commerce, education and the arts.

Uses knowledge for solving problems

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

Principles in chemistry

Making perfume…

Principles in physics

Making bridges…

Principles in biology

Better-yielding fruit trees…

Where would you rather live?

PRESENT? CENTURIES AGO?

Science should be viewed as…1) a way of thinking in the pursuit of

understanding nature.2) a way of investigating by which

hypothesis are tested.3) a body of established knowledge

of which truthfulness may be questioned.

1. Science as a Way of ThinkingEmpirical Basis of Modern Science

(present) vs. Authoritarianism (before 1660’s)

Aim for Objectivity; but still with Subjectivity

AssumptionsUse of Inductive & Deductive

Reasoning

2. Science as a Way of Investigating

Use of Scientific Method

The importance of Questions in Investigations

Testing by Additional ObservationTesting Hypothesis through

Experimentation

3. Science as a Body of Established KnowledgeConcepts, Principles and Laws

Use of Models in ScienceScientific Hypothesis & TheoriesDynamic Nature of Science

Usefulness of ScienceRemove fear of the unknownMake better materials (food,

infrastructures…)Make task easier and fasterPurify food and waterCure disease / delay death

Position paper: (due on Monday)Research for the truth in the following trivia

and answer the question that follows. Write your answers on a whole sheet of paper with proper penmanship and reference.

TRIVIA: The Romans, more than two thousand years ago, built bridges that made use of designs that are scientifically sound. Several of these structures stand until now.

QUESTION: Which then came first, SCIENCE (the study of

nature) or TECHNOLOGY (the application of Science)?

“Science eliminates the worthless and the useless and then makes use of it in something else.”

-Thomas A. Edison