Tiffany's Education Blog

The Nature of Science

Instructions: This week we will be learning about how science works. For each discussion please read carefully and participate in the activity. You will need to answer questions each day so please keep a pencil and paper close. Have fun!

Day 1- What is Science?

Science is a process for producing knowledge. The process depends both on making careful observations of phenomena and on a hypothesis for making sense out of those observations.

Scientists start with observations and then make a hypothesis (an educated guess), and then the fun begins. They must then prove their hypothesis with trials and tests that show why their data and results are correct. They must use controls, which are quantitative. Science needs both ideas (the hypothesis) and facts (the quantitative results) to move forward. Scientists can then examine their data and develop newer ideas. This process will lead to more observation and refinement of hypotheses. Science does not prove or conclude; science is always a work in progress.

Scientists pose, test, and revise hypotheses based on research outcomes.

Hypothesis
- a statement that uses a few observations
- an idea based on observations without experimental evidence

Example: A fossil forms when mud and dirt surround an object and then it dries and forms a rock.

This week we will be focusing on fossils. You will learn how to form a hypothesis and how to test it.

On a piece of paper, in your own words tell me what a hypothesis is. Give an example of what a hypothesis would look like about fossils.

Day 2-What is a Fossil?

A fossil is the remains or evidence of any creature that once lived on the Earth. Fossils provide concrete evidence of past life.

Type I includes:

bones
teeth
skin impressions
hair
the hardened shell of an ancient impression of an animal or plant

Type II- Something that was made by the animal while it was living that has hardened into stone. These are called trace fossils.

Type II includes:

footprints
burrows
coprolite or animal poop

On your piece of paper please answer the following question.

What do fossils tell us?

Day 3- Activity

Now that you know what a fossil is and how scientists use them, let’s do a little activity to see what it would be like to be a paleontologist. A paleontologist is someone who studies and digs up fossils.

*Read the story and answer all questions on a piece of paper.

You and your fellow paleontologists are on a fossil dig in Florida, during August of this year. You have had to wade through three miles of swamp carrying shovels, picks, and other digging equipment. Then you needed to go back to the road to lug your tents and other supplies to your campsite. The first evening you plan the dig. One person will shovel mud, another will look through the mud for fossils and the third person will keep watch for alligators.

The next morning the team arises early and begins digging. After several hours of shoveling mud, swatting mosquitoes, and sweating, you get lucky. Your team discovers four fossils and returns to camp with them.

These are the cleaned-up fossils. Now that you are back in camp for the evening, you arrange the fossils so they make as much sense as possible.

On a piece of paper, put the bones in order how you think they should go.

What do you think the animal might be?

Day 4- Continue activity

The second morning your team arises even earlier, excited about the possibility of finding more interesting fossils. This day, however, your all-terrain vehicle gets stuck in the mud and you have to dig it out during a raging thunderstorm. Your team finally gets to the dig site by noon and, fighting the heat and wet, manages to unearth three more fossils. You return to camp exhausted.

On your piece of paper, arrange the new fossils with the ones from yesterday.

Do you think it is still the same animal from yesterday?

Day 5- Continue activity

The third morning dawns bright and beautiful with the sort of sunrise that only happens in Florida in the summer; thrushes singing, cicadas buzzing. The team heads out to what must be its last day of digging this season. At the site, an American crocodile walks past, paying little attention to the strange animals that are grubbing about in the mud. After several hours of digging and mucking, the team discovers three more bones. This makes a total of ten in three days. The team, fills in its hole, carefully marks the location on the map, and returns to camp for the last time. During the final evening in camp the team assembles its ten fossils.

What kind of animal do you think it is now?

Day 6- Continue activity

Bright the next morning, the team packs up and returns to the Museum of Paleontology. Upon arriving at the Museum you learn that other teams have had successful expeditions this summer and would love to hear your results.

Write what you think the fossil is.

After discussing your ideas with other scientists, your team goes to the library and consults a Skeletal Resource Manual, which has drawings of skeletons of living animals.

FISH