Think Like A Scientist

Question 1

What are the three main branches of science, and what does each study?

Answer 1

Life science (or biology) is the study of living things, earth science is the study of the earth and space, and physical science is the study of matter and energy,

Question 2

What are the basic steps of scientific inquiry?

Answer 2

Ask a question, do a background research, make a hypothesis, test your hypothesis, analyze your results, draw a conclusion, and share results. Or, if your hypothesis is proven false, make a new hypothesis and start again.

Question 3

What’s a hypothesis?

Answer 3

It’s an educated prediction that can be tested.

Question 4

If Your observations do not support your hypothesis, what should you do?

Answer 4

Make a new hypothesis based on your observations and begin the process all over again.

Question 5

How is evidence used in scientific investigations?

Answer 5

A theory explains why something happens. A law identifies what happens in nature but doesn’t necessarily why it happens.

Question 6

Compare and contrast a theory and law.

Answer 6

A model is a representation of something. Models are used in science to help us think about things that are difficult to observe in real life.

Question 7

Give an example of a physical model, a computer model, and a mathematical model.

Answer 7

Physical models: maps, globes, and dioramas
Computer models: 3D stimulations of people or places and stimulations of moving weather fronts
Mathematical models: equations, such as the equation of a line, and mathematical stimulations, such as business proposals