What Is A Scientist?

And more importantly, how can I become one?

PowerPoint by Veronica Gould

 What Is Science?

Before we can know what a scientist is, we have to

understand science.

Science is systematic knowledge of the physical

world gained through observation and
experimentation.
 Observation

Using our senses, we observe things happening in

the world around us every day, like:

• a thunderstorm
• a bird flying to its nest
• two paint colors mixing to form a third
• shivering in the wintertime
• the sound a cricket makes
 Observation

A scientist observes these things, too!

When scientists make their

observations, they always
write them down.

Scientists write their observations

• in science journals
• on data sheets
• on experiment sheets
 What’s the difference between any person doing
an experiment and a true scientist?

a) A scientist has a PhD.

b) A scientist has the proper equipment.

c) A scientist writes down observations.

d) A scientist wears a lab coat.

 Even though many scientists have PhDs
and special technology — even a lab coat
— the most important tool any scientist
could have is a notebook to write down
their observations!

In fact, when you write in your science

notebook, you join the scientific
community as some of the youngest
scientists. Welcome!

A scientist ALWAYS writes

down their observations!
 Performing An Experiment

Before you can become a scientist, there are a

few things you need to know about performing
science experiments.

1. Scientists work in groups or teams.

2. Scientists use experiments to try to answer
questions.
3. Scientists follow steps in an experiment.
4. Experiments can be a lot of FUN, and
scientists always use experiments to learn.
Is this an example of an experiment?
 ...It Might Not Be!

Although lab equipment is often used in scientific

experiments, equipment alone does not indicate
experimentation.

SoSo
howhow
do do
we
recognize
we an
recognize
experiment?
experiment?
 Experimentation

An experiment does the following:

o Attempts to answer a question about the

physical world
o Follows a procedure
o Tests an idea or hypothesis
o Uses models or controlled systems
 Everyday Experiments

You perform experiments every day

without even knowing it!

An experiment doesn't always use fancy

lab equipment. Sometimes it’s as simple
as testing a pen on a piece of paper to see
if it will write.

Can you think of any other examples of experiments?

 So who is a scientist?

Nikola Tesla, Francoise Barre-

engineer who Sinoussi, virologist
worked with who identified HIV
Margaret Mead, electricity. James Watson, George
as the cause of
anthropologist who biologist who Washington
AIDS
observed and wrote developed a Carver,
about Samoan model for DNA. botanist who
culture. invented over
100 uses for
the peanut.
Who else is a scientist?

You are!