The Nature of Science

To be scientifically literate, science

students should have deeper
understandings of science that studying
the Nature of Science (NOS) provides.
 NOS Example

Write an account
of what you think
happened based
on what you see
here.
NOS Example
continued

How does your story change?

NOS Example

How does your story change?

NOS Example
continued

What do you observe?

What do you infer?

Compare what you think now

to your earlier written accounts.
 Some Aspects of NOS
• Scientific knowledge is tentative.
• Scientific knowledge has basis in empirical evidence.
• There is a difference between data and evidence.
• Scientific laws and theories are separate kinds of
scientific knowledge.
• Scientific knowledge is based upon observations and
inferences.
• Scientific knowledge is heavily dependent upon
theories.
 Some Aspects of NOS
Continued
• Scientific knowledge is created from human
imagination and logical reasoning.
• Scientific knowledge can be obtained by a variety
of scientific methods.
• Scientific observations are inherently subjective
based on interpretations.
• Science is a human endeavor influenced by
society and culture.
 Observation and Inference
• There are differences between observations and the
inferences made based on observations.

• Based on the same data, and scientists’ prior

experiences, different inferences can be made,
which lead to difference conclusions. Some of these
are right and some are wrong.

• Attempting to sort this out is what science is about!

 The Nature of Science
The Mystery Tube
• Show an example tube
• Students construct a tube
• Relate to scientific models and theories.
• Have students describe how this is similar
to something in the course content.
 The Nature of Science
Observations and Theories
• Pulling on ropes were the observations.
• Your various models are the theories to
explain the observation.
• The same observations, or data, may be
used as evidence for several models or
theories.
 The Nature of Science
Observations and Theories
RECALL THE OBSERVATIONS
• Daily east to west motion of celestial sphere.
• Sun’s annual motion from west to east.
• Seasons
• Phases of the moon.
• Eclipses.
• Planetary motions and configurations.
 The Nature of Science
Observations and Theories
RECALL THE THEORIES