Science and the Scientific Method?

Science

Science is a body of knowledge that is acquired through systematic observations of the natural world around us. Science is the human effort to understand, or to understand better, the history of the natural world and how the natural world works, with observable physical evidence as the basis of that understanding. It is done through observation of natural phenomena, and/or through experimentation that tries to simulate natural processes under controlled conditions. E.g.: An ecologist observing the behaviours of bluebirds, or a geologist examining a rock formation. Both scientists making observations in order to find patterns in natural phenomena. They just do it outdoors and thus entertain the general public with their behaviour  An astrophysicist photographing distant galaxies and a climatologist sifting data from weather balloons similarly are also scientists making observations, but in more discrete settings.



Science is the systematic observation of natural events and conditions in order to discover facts about them and to formulate laws and principles based on these facts. 2. the organized body of knowledge that is derived from such observations and that can be verified or tested by further investigation. 3. any specific branch of this general body of knowledge, such as biology, physics, geology, or astronomy.
-  Academic Press Dictionary of Science & Technology

                           

What is a scientific method?

The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments.The steps of the scientific method are to:

-Ask a Question
-Do Background Research
-Construct a Hypothesis
-Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
-Analyse Your Data and Draw a Conclusion
-Communicate Your Results
It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. A "fair test" occurs when you change only one factor (variable) and keep all other conditions the same.
While scientists study how nature works, engineers create new things, such as products, websites, environments, and experiences.The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions. Scientists use the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships in nature. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way.If the hypothesis is true,we have to report the results.But if it is wrong think and check if there's a mistake and try again.

What is the engineering design process?

The engineering design process is the set of steps that a designer takes to go from first, identifying a problem or need to, at the end, creating and developing a solution that solves the problem or meets the need.
The steps of the engineering design process are to:

Define the Problem

Do Background Research

Specify Requirements

Create Alternative Solutions

Choose the Best Solution

Do Development Work

Build a Prototype

Test and Redesign

During the engineering design process, designers frequently jump back and forth between steps. Going back to earlier steps is common. This way of working is called iteration, and it is likely that your process will do the same.

Differences between the scientific method and the engineering method.

In the scientific method we are supposed to test the hypothesis.In the engineering method we are supposed to build a prototype and test it.

In the scientific method we are supposed to analyze the result while in the engineering method we are supposed to test and redesign if necessary

6W1H Research Question

What will happen when I place hot water instead of cool water in the fridge and why does it freeze faster than cool water?

Hypothesis-Are There Dangerous Levels of Lead in Local Soil?

Hypothesis: If I am able to find out the lead level of the soil,I will be able to see whether the soil is normal or hazardous

Constant variable-soil
Independent variable-lead level of the soil
Dependent variable-The various levels of the lead for example normal level or the hazardous level.

Zhongzhi - Project

Taking Short Cuts: How Direct Reprogramming Can Transform One Type of Cell Straight into Another


Abstract:
In the first decade of the 21st century, scientists found ways to make one adult cell type turn into a completely different cell type. This has huge implications for the medical field, including being able to take some cells that a person could spare, such as skin cells or blood cells, and turn them into another cell type that might be much more important for that person to have, such as cells to make a new kidney. How are scientists able to accomplish this amazing feat of "reprogramming" the identity of human cells? What potential problems will have to be solved before this technology can be used regularly in hospitals? In this science project, you will explore how scientists use small proteins called transcription factors to turn one cell type into another and what hurdles
must be overcome to make this powerful practice more commonplace. 

Objective:
Determine how transcription factors can be used to directly change one cell type into another cell type.

Hypothesis:
If I change the transcription factor, then the cell type should be changed.

Research Questions:
What is the current research with relation to the transcription factors?
What are the implications of the research on transcription factors?
How should I carry out the experiment?
Are they any tools I could use to help me with the research?
What are the possible difficulties I would face in this research and how should I overcome them?
What are the resources I need to successfully carry out the experiment?

Are There Dangerous Levels of Lead in Local Soil?

Time Required	Average (6-10 days)
Material Availability	Readily available
Cost	Low ($20 - $50)

Abstract

The element lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous to young children. Among other uses, lead compounds were common paint additives until being phased out for safer titanium-based additives beginning in the 1960's. Lead compounds were also added to gasoline to prevent engine knocking, until being phased out beginning in the 1970's. Although paint and gasoline sold today no longer contain lead, soil can have contamination from older sources of lead, such as paint from old buildings. This project shows you how you can test soil in your neighborhood for lead contamination.

Objective

The purpose of this project is to determine whether local soil contains dangerous levels of lead. This is significant because the results will indicate where the soil is hazardous to the health of humans, especially young children.

Credits

Madeleine Disner; Jordan Liu; Sarah Stegman-Wise