Aim: What is Earth Science?

Do now: Pick up “Note Pack #1” - Put your name and date on it

Write down 3 things that you think involves Earth Science.

September 9, 2016 Note Pack #1

What is Earth Science?

1) Earth Science is the study of all Non – Living things that affects and interacts with the planet Earth.

Why do we need to study Earth Science?

1) Earth Science is essential (important) in

understanding how our planet works and how

the Earth has and is continuing to change over

time.

2) Many of the forces that effect the Earth also

effects the living organisms (including humans)

that live on it.

What will we be studying in Earth Science?

• Earth Science is made up of four sub sciences:

– Astronomy - The study of objects in space

– Meteorology – The study of the Earth’s atmosphere

– Oceanography – The study of Earth’s Oceans

– Geology - The study of the Earth’s surface, internal structure and minerals that make up the Earth.

What is Science?

What is the goal of science?

1) The goal of science is to investigate and

understand nature, to explain events in nature,

and to use those explanations to make useful

predictions.

What is Science?

1) Science is an organized way of using

evidence to learn about the natural world.

Where do we find evidence? “The Scientific Method”

3) Science starts with observations i. Observations involves using one or more of the

senses to collect data. ii. Are senses are – sight, hearing, touch, smell and

taste.

Observations (data) can be broken down into 2 types: a. Quantitative – an observation involving numbers

(counting or measurement) b. Qualitative – observations involving characteristics

that are not easily measured (color, texture and size)

Interpreting the Evidence 4. Once the observation is completed and data is

collected, the data must be analyzed and interpreted.

The interpretation of evidence from observations is known as an inference.

An inference is a logical interpretation of data based on prior knowledge and experiences, without exactly witnessing the event. Example: In the Earth round?

The Scientific Method • The scientific method is a logical way of searching for the

truth about a scientific problem.

• Quick review of the scientific method:

1. The hypothesis – a scientific guess to a problem

2. Design an experiment – test one factor (independent variable) and look for any changes (dependent variable).

3. Collect Data – collect measureable changes

4. Analyze Data – interpret why changes occur

5. Conclusion – Explain how the data you collected either validates or invalidates your hypothesis

The problem with the Scientific Method when studying Earth Science • Unlike Biology, Earth Science usually deals with

objects and forces that are extremely large and very old.

• In most cases scientist cannot see everything that they are studying or live long enough to see how processes actually occur.

Here lies

Scientist Thomas Schulz Jan 24,1942- April 1, 2003

Still waiting to see if he was right

The problem with the Scientific Method when studying Earth Science

(cont.) • As a results, scientist try to simulate conditions that

occur in nature in laboratories to test a hypothesis (a guess).

• If enough experiments are done, which does not disproof the hypothesis, then a theory is created.

• A theory is an idea, where enough evidence has been collected to verify the validity (truth worthiness) of a hypothesis, but has no direct proof that the idea is 100% true because it cannot be fully tested.

• Example: Theory of Evolution, The Big Bang Theory