Woodrow Wilson Physical Science Group

1
Woodrow Wilson Physical Science Group

• Introduction

2
What is SCIENCE?
most definitions of science contain action words
like study, discover, find out, and nouns like
knowledge, nature, universe, etc
3
SCIENCE can be defined as
the search for relationships that explain and
predict the behavior of the universe.
4
Science has also been described as the process of
model building, in which models serve to simplify
observed phenomena and relationships. See Gilbert
Boulter (2000)
Scientific models may exist in several
forms Physical (concrete 3D objects) Gestural
(kinesthetic body movements) Verbal
(spoken/written analogy metaphor) Pictorial
(visual diagrams animations) Numerical (data
table lists) Graphical (ordered
pairs) Mathematical (equations formulas)
5

• Two potential problems with the use of models
• (simplified versions of the actual phenomena)
  
• The model may lead to assumptions about the
• actual phenomenon that are not valid
  because
• no model can represent the phenomenon
• EXACTLY.
• Many people confuse or mistake the model for
• the reality.
• Atomic Models
• Ray Model of Light
• The Man with Two Brains
• Zoolander (link)

6
These types of scientific models closely parallel
several ideas relevant to teaching and learning
multiple intelligences (link, link), learning
styles (link, link), and differentiated
instruction (link, link, link).
7
What is PHYSICS?
many give definitions that are simply lists of
topics usually covered in physics courses, such
as the study of motion, forces, light,
electricity, waves, magnetism, energy, etc
8
PHYSICS can be defined as
the science concerned with relationships and
transformations among types of matter and energy.
9
CHEMISTRY can be defined as
the science concerned with the composition,
structure, and properties of matter, as well
as the changes it undergoes