Science Starters Week 10

ILO 6Demonstrate Understanding of the Nature of ScienceUnderstand that science conclusions are tentative and

therefore never final. Understandings based upon these conclusions are subject to revision in light of new evidence.

Early classification systems probably grouped organisms as to whether they were beneficial or harmful. Another ancient classification system recognized 5 animal groups - domestic animals, wild animals, creeping animals, flying animals, and sea animals.

ARISTOTLE -*4th century BC (384 to322 BC)*Greek philosopher *divided organisms into 2 groups - plants and animals*divided animals into blood and bloodless*also divided animals into 3 groups according to how they moved - walking, flying, or swimming (land, air, or water)*his system was used into the 1600's

Using Aristotle's 3-group system (based on movement), name 2 animals that would fit each of the 3 groups.

Discuss whether Aristotle's 3 group system had any built-in problems. Explain any problems that you detect with his system.

Why would science change how things are classified?

Science conclusions are tentative and therefore never final

Science conclusions are tentative and therefore never final

Here is an infographic on how many species have been discovered (black text) and how many are estimated to exist (blue text).

When a new species is discovered, how do you think it is classified?

What happens if the new species doesn’t fit with the current way of classification?

Below are criteria used to classify objects in our solar system as a Planet or “dwarf planet”(1) A planet [1] is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.(2) A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape [2], (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

In 1930 when Pluto was discovered, technology wasn’t advanced enough to be able to see all of the other objects in orbit around the Sun out past Neptune. Because of current technology, over 800 objects have been identified to be orbiting around the Sun near or within Pluto’s orbit. Given the new criteria, Pluto is no longer classified as a planet.

Discuss how does this affects Pluto? How does this help advance science?

Science conclusions are tentative and therefore never final

New jellyfish species discovered on Gold Coast

Reported on March 27, 2013

Nine-year-old Saxon Thomas found the new species when fishing in his backyard canal.Scientists have now confirmed the jellyfish is a new scientific discovery.But Australian Marine Stinger Advisory services director Lisa Gershwin says there is a lot more to learn about it."We're still trying to name it," Ms Gershwin says."I haven't met Saxon yet but my intention is to one of these days when I meet him ask him what he would like it to be named... I wanna give him the choice to name it because I think it's such a wonderful thing that here's these kids out playing with nature and going 'hey wait, that's different - what's that?' - and now we know. What a fabulous find.

Discuss how can this discovery affect science?

Science conclusions are tentative and therefore never final

People believed the idea of an Earth-centered Universe from Aristotle and Ptolemy for almost 2000 years. Then, in the 16th century a new idea was proposed by the Polish astronomer Nicolai Copernicus (1473-1543). He suggested that the Sun was the center of the solar system.

It is believed by many that his book was only published at the end of his life because he feared ridicule and disfavor: by his peers and by the Church. His ideas remained rather obscure for about 100 years after his death. But, in the 17th century the work of Kepler, Galileo, and Newton would build on the Sun centered Universe of Copernicus and produce the revolution that would sweep away completely the ideas of Aristotle and replace them with the modern view of astronomy and natural science.

Why would people change their understanding of the universe?

Science conclusions are tentative and therefore never final

The retrograde motion of Mars in 2005.A composite image created by superimposing images taken on 35 different dates,each separated from the next by about a week.