Tools%20of%20Environmental%20Science

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Tools of Environmental Science

• Chapter 2

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Objectives

• List and describe the steps of the experimental
  method.
• Describe why a good hypothesis is not simply a
  guess.
• Describe the two essential parts of a good
  experiment.
• Describe how scientists study subjects in which
  experiments are not possible.
• Explain the importance of curiosity and
  imagination in science.

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Experimental Method -

• a series of steps that scientists worldwide use
  to identify and answer questions.
• Observation
• Hypothesis
• Perform an experiment
• Organize and analyze data
• Draw conclusions
• Repeat experiment
• Communicate results

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Experimental Method

• Experimental method begins when someone makes an
  observation and has a questions about what was
  observed.
• Why are my plants wilting?

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Step 1 Observation

• A piece of information we gather using our senses
  sight, hearing, smell, and touch
• Can be represented with
• Descriptions
• Drawings
• Photos
• Measurement
• Observations lead to questions
• I see my plants bent over and turning brown. Why
  is my plant wilting?

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Step 2 Form a Hypothesis

• Hypothesis a testable idea or explanation that
  leads to a scientific investigation
• Used to answer a specific question about an
  observation
• My plant is not getting enough water.

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Step 3 Experiment

• A procedure designed to test a hypothesis under
  controlled conditions
• Should determine cause and effect relationships
• I will water one plant on a regular basis and not
  water the one next to it.

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Step 3 Experiments

• In order to determine cause and effect
  experiments must have
• A single variable that we are testing
• Ex water
• A control group - to serves as the standard of
  comparison
• Ex the plant with no water
• Experimental group condition with the new
  variable
• Ex plant that gets water

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Step 3 Experiment

• The independent, or manipulated variable, is a
  factor thats intentionally changed by the
  experimenter.
• Ex water
• The dependent, or responding variable, is the
  factor that may change as a result of changes
  made in the independent variable.
• Ex health of the plant, degree of wilting
• All other factors and environmental conditions
  in the experiment must remain the same. They are
  the constants.
• Ex soil, pot, room temperature

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Step 4 Analyze Data

• Data gathered information, usually in a numeric
  form.
• Data is put into graphs and tables for better
  understanding

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Step 5 Conclusion

• Determine the results of your study by analyzing
  their data and comparing the results with their
  predictions and hypothesis.
• The plant that was watered did better than the
  one with no water.

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Step 6 Repeat Experiment

• Always repeat your experiement
• WHY???

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Step 7 Communicate results

• Your study is not finished until you have shared
  your results

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Correlation Method

• When experimenting is unethical or impossible to
  test we can use correlations.
• Correlation an association between two or more
  events
• Does not prove cause and effect relationships
• Ex There is a correlation between TV watching
  and childhood violence
• Can you think of other reasons for this
  correlation?

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Scientific State of Mind

• Curiosity
• Skepticism dont believe everything you are
  told
• Openness to new ideas
• Honesty
• Imagination and creativity

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Section 2 - Objectives

• Explain how scientists use statistics.
• Explain why the size of a statistical sample is
  important.
• Describe three types of models commonly used by
  scientists.
• Explain the relationship between probability and
  risk.
• Explain the importance of conceptual models and
  mathematical models.

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Section 2 Statistics and Models

• Statistics the collection and classification of
  data in the form of numbers
• They help organize data by
• Summarizing
• Characterizing
• Analyzing
• comparing

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Statistical Vocab

• Mean average
• Probability the chance that something will
  happen
• Sample a group selected to represent a larger
  population
• Risk the probability of an unwanted outcome
• Distribution shown on a graph

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What are you afraid of?

• Rank the following in order from mostly likely to
  die from to least likely
• Venomous bite
• Airplane crash
• Drowning
• Cancer
• Car accident
• Falling down
• Gunshot
• Fireworks accident
• Heart disease
• Lightning

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How did you do?

• Heart disease 1 in 5
• Cancer 1 in7
• Car accident 1 in 100
• Falling down 1 in 246
• Gunshot 1 in 325
• Drowning 1 in 8,942
• Airplane crash 1 in 20,000
• Lightning 1 in 83,930
• Venomous Bite 1 in 100,000
• Fireworks 1 in 615,488

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Can you name some models?Not of the human type!
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Models representations of objects or
systems

• Physical models three dimensional, you can
  touch them. Ex globe
• Graphical model maps, charts, graphs
• Conceptual model a verbal or graphical
  explanation of how a system works or is
  organized. Ex atom
• Mathematical model equations that represent the
  way a system or process works. Ex earths rotation

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Class Work

• Ch. 2
• Section 1 2 Review
• Page 39 Questions 1-4
• Page 46 Questions 1-3

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Section 3 - Objectives

• Describe three values that people consider when
  making decisions about the environment.
• Describe the four steps in a simple environmental
  decision-making model.
• Compare the short-term and long-term consequences
  of two decisions regarding a hypothetical
  environmental issue.

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Section 3 Making Informed Decisions

• Values principles or standards we consider
  important
• Name some of your values.

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Section 3 Making Informed Decisions

• Decision-making model a conceptual model that
  provides a systematic process for making
  decisions

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Section 3 Making Informed Decisions

• Read the Case Study-page 48-49 and answer
  questions
• Section 3 review Pg. 51 12