The body of knowledge that scientists have is always growing and changing.

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The body of knowledge that scientists have is
always growing and changing.
Science is a way of learning about the natural
world.
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Thinking Like a Scientist

• Some of the skills that scientist use are
• posing questions,
• making observations and inferences,
• developing hypotheses,
• designing experiments,
• making measurements and collecting data,
• drawing conclusions,
• and communicating.

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Posing Questions

• Usually scientific inquiry begins with posing a
  question or stating a problem.

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Making Observations and Inferences

• Observation involves using one or more of the
  senses to gather information and collect data.
• Data are the facts, figures, and other evidence
  gathered through observations.
• Often a scientists observations and data lead to
  an inference, which is an interpretation of an
  observation based on evidence and prior knowledge.

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Developing Hypotheses

• Scientists may then develop a hypothesis, a
  possible explanation for observations or a
  scientific question.
• A hypothesis must be testable.
• A hypothesis can be worded as an Ifthen
  statement. For example, you could develop the
  following hypothesis
• If fertilizer is added to the soil surrounding a
  tomato plant, then the plant will grow taller.

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Designing an Experiment to Test a Hypothesis

• Variables are factors that can change in an
  experiment.
• Often a scientist changes one variable to test a
  hypothesis.
• This changed variable is called the manipulated
  (or independent) variable.
• A factor that changes because of the manipulated
  variable is a responding (or dependent) variable.
  

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Designing an Experiment to Test a Hypothesis

• An experiment in which all variables except one
  remain the same is called a controlled
  experiment.

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Making Measurements and Collecting Data

• Scientists collect data by measuring and
  observing.
• They use a standard system of measurement called
  the International System of Units.

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Interpreting Data

• Data must be organized and interpreted.

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Drawing Conclusions

• This leads scientists to draw a conclusion, or
  sum up what they have learned from the
  investigation.

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Communicating in Science

• Finally, scientists communicate their results and
  conclusions to others.
• Conclusions often lead to new questions and new
  experiments.

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Scientific Theories

• A scientific theory is a well-tested concept that
  explains a wide range of observations.
• Sometimes, further testing can prove a scientific
  theory to be faulty.
• In this case, scientists either revise or abandon
  the theory.

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Laboratory Safety

• A very important part of a scientific experiment
  is observing safe laboratory practices.
• In general, laboratory safety means following
  instructions and making sure you understand all
  laboratory procedures before getting to work.

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Branches of Life Science

• Life science explore the structures, functions,
  and interactions of many living things.
• Branches of life science offer careers such as
  physician, botanist, marine biologist, emergency
  medical technician, park ranger, and physical
  therapist.