Nature of Science

Task: As a group, you will create a PowerPoint presentation
that describes the ‘nature of science’.

Procedure: You will use the Internet to research the ‘nature
of science’. What is science – its purpose, process etc…? You
should be sure you are able to answer the questions below. Your
presentation should be creative and educational. It should contain
text and pictures that aid in understanding what science is and what
it is not. It should also include examples from history where
appropriate. (i.e. a geocentric universe)

Some questions to think about (not all inclusive):

  • What is science? How
    does it compare to religion and religious faith?

  • Why do we use science?
  • What general questions
    does science ask about our universe?

  • How does science work?

  • What is the scope of
    science? What are it’s limitations?

  • Define
    and describe hypothesis, inference, experiment, peer review, theory
    and scrutiny.

  • What is parsimony and
    how does it relate to scientific explanations?

  • Can all science
    questions be answered through experimentation?

  • Are scientific truths
    determined democratically?

  • Are scientists always
    right?

Due: Tuesday 9/19/06