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Study Guide
Integrated Natural Science
How to Use This Study Guide
This study guide is designed to work in conjunction with the course videos, the practice quizzes
located in the course learning resource, and, if needed, the course textbook images and
readings specified in each module. Once you have completed all of the recommended activities,
use this study guide as a review tool before taking your assessments.
To complete the study questions, provide a sufficient response to each question in your own
words and in terms that will help you understand, remember, and retain the information. Use
the recorded videos as resources to help you answer these study questions. If you find a
question that you cannot answer, please reach out to your course mentor for additional
clarification and support.
Module 1: Scientific Concepts and Methodologies
Topic: Scientific Methodologies
Scientific Methods
1. Describe the scientific method. Explain how it is used in the process of science to solve
problems.
Scientific Method asks a question, makes a hypothesis, makes an observation, analyze
results and draw conclusions.
2. Complete the following chart by providing a definition and example for each component
of the scientific method.
Term Definition Example
observation Information gathered about the natural world using tools or human
senses
question A sentence, phrase, or gesture that seeks information t
hrough a reply.
hypothesis A prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation
prediction A guess about what will happen
reproducible A result of scientific investigation that has been replicated by others.
results
conclusion Summary of the meaning of the results of a scientific investigation
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3. Discuss the role of creativity in each of the steps of the scientific process.
Creativity allows people to see the natural world around them in new
ways (observation) which leads us to question why we are seeing, or not
seeing, what we observed (questioning). Creativity can help to develop,
engineer and test a hypotheses. Creativity is the bridge between
observation and conclusion, necessary in each step of the scientific
process
4. Explain how Galileo challenged Aristotle’s belief that heavy objects fall faster than
lighter objects. Consider how Galileo’s actions were related to the scientific method.
Galileo actually tested Aristotle's theory by dropping two cannon balls (one weighing
much more than the other) off of the leaning tower of pisa and they both hit the ground
at the same time, therefor proving Aristotle wrong.
Scientific Investigations
1. Identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science
experiment.
An experiment in which one condition is allowed to vary and all others are kept
constant.
2. Using examples, describe what an independent variable, dependent variable, and
controlled variables are.
Independent Variable: in a controlled experiment, the condition that
scientist changes on purpose. Dependent Variable: in a controlled
experiment, the condition that the scientist observes to see the effects of
changing the independent variable. Controlled Variable: a condition that is
kept the same throughout an experiment.
3. Explain the importance of having reproducible results in scientific experiments.
It shows validity and eliminated the effects of random chance and bias.
4. Define and give an example of the following items in science:
a field study: A scientific investigation that is not conducted in a laboratory
setting. Ex) anywhere but a lab
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computational modeling: A model created or designed using computers. Ex)
weather, traffic patterns, Money ball guy
Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws
1. Describe the principle of falsifiability.
The ability to prove something wrong. A good hypothesis has to have a possible way
to demonstrate that it is false.
2. Define and differentiate between each of the following terms in science. Provide an
example of each.
fact: An observation or phenomenon that all competent observers agree on.
Generally, not open to interpretation or analysis. Ex) water is liquid at room
temp, sun appears to rises in the east, the light on the moon goes through phases
each month.
hypothesis: A prediction or educated guess about the outcome of a scientific
investigation; a proposed explanation for an aspect of the natural world. (Must
be both falsifiable and testable). Ex) shopping carts/parking lot experiment: If
return corral is added, people should return the carts.
theory: A well-tested, well-supported, broad explanation for all available
observations and data. Ex) explaining why we have gravity.
law: A well-tested, well-supported description of an aspect of the natural world.
Ex) describing how objects respond to force, describing the strength of a
gravitational force between two objects.
4. Explain the importance of using evidence to evaluate scientific claims. Describe how
such evidence can be used to either support or refute scientific claims.
Expected Results = Actual Results --> Supports claim Expected Results ≠ Actual
Results --> Refutes Claim
Science, Technology, and Systems
1. Explain how a systems approach might be helpful in studying science.
You can focus on the system as a whole and the interactions between the
parts of the system
2. Identify ways in which science and technology are similar and different.
Study Guide
Integrated Natural Science
How to Use This Study Guide
This study guide is designed to work in conjunction with the course videos, the practice quizzes
located in the course learning resource, and, if needed, the course textbook images and
readings specified in each module. Once you have completed all of the recommended activities,
use this study guide as a review tool before taking your assessments.
To complete the study questions, provide a sufficient response to each question in your own
words and in terms that will help you understand, remember, and retain the information. Use
the recorded videos as resources to help you answer these study questions. If you find a
question that you cannot answer, please reach out to your course mentor for additional
clarification and support.
Module 1: Scientific Concepts and Methodologies
Topic: Scientific Methodologies
Scientific Methods
1. Describe the scientific method. Explain how it is used in the process of science to solve
problems.
Scientific Method asks a question, makes a hypothesis, makes an observation, analyze
results and draw conclusions.
2. Complete the following chart by providing a definition and example for each component
of the scientific method.
Term Definition Example
observation Information gathered about the natural world using tools or human
senses
question A sentence, phrase, or gesture that seeks information t
hrough a reply.
hypothesis A prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation
prediction A guess about what will happen
reproducible A result of scientific investigation that has been replicated by others.
results
conclusion Summary of the meaning of the results of a scientific investigation
, 2
3. Discuss the role of creativity in each of the steps of the scientific process.
Creativity allows people to see the natural world around them in new
ways (observation) which leads us to question why we are seeing, or not
seeing, what we observed (questioning). Creativity can help to develop,
engineer and test a hypotheses. Creativity is the bridge between
observation and conclusion, necessary in each step of the scientific
process
4. Explain how Galileo challenged Aristotle’s belief that heavy objects fall faster than
lighter objects. Consider how Galileo’s actions were related to the scientific method.
Galileo actually tested Aristotle's theory by dropping two cannon balls (one weighing
much more than the other) off of the leaning tower of pisa and they both hit the ground
at the same time, therefor proving Aristotle wrong.
Scientific Investigations
1. Identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science
experiment.
An experiment in which one condition is allowed to vary and all others are kept
constant.
2. Using examples, describe what an independent variable, dependent variable, and
controlled variables are.
Independent Variable: in a controlled experiment, the condition that
scientist changes on purpose. Dependent Variable: in a controlled
experiment, the condition that the scientist observes to see the effects of
changing the independent variable. Controlled Variable: a condition that is
kept the same throughout an experiment.
3. Explain the importance of having reproducible results in scientific experiments.
It shows validity and eliminated the effects of random chance and bias.
4. Define and give an example of the following items in science:
a field study: A scientific investigation that is not conducted in a laboratory
setting. Ex) anywhere but a lab
, 3
computational modeling: A model created or designed using computers. Ex)
weather, traffic patterns, Money ball guy
Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws
1. Describe the principle of falsifiability.
The ability to prove something wrong. A good hypothesis has to have a possible way
to demonstrate that it is false.
2. Define and differentiate between each of the following terms in science. Provide an
example of each.
fact: An observation or phenomenon that all competent observers agree on.
Generally, not open to interpretation or analysis. Ex) water is liquid at room
temp, sun appears to rises in the east, the light on the moon goes through phases
each month.
hypothesis: A prediction or educated guess about the outcome of a scientific
investigation; a proposed explanation for an aspect of the natural world. (Must
be both falsifiable and testable). Ex) shopping carts/parking lot experiment: If
return corral is added, people should return the carts.
theory: A well-tested, well-supported, broad explanation for all available
observations and data. Ex) explaining why we have gravity.
law: A well-tested, well-supported description of an aspect of the natural world.
Ex) describing how objects respond to force, describing the strength of a
gravitational force between two objects.
4. Explain the importance of using evidence to evaluate scientific claims. Describe how
such evidence can be used to either support or refute scientific claims.
Expected Results = Actual Results --> Supports claim Expected Results ≠ Actual
Results --> Refutes Claim
Science, Technology, and Systems
1. Explain how a systems approach might be helpful in studying science.
You can focus on the system as a whole and the interactions between the
parts of the system
2. Identify ways in which science and technology are similar and different.
