Environmental Science
Scientific Method
and Habits of Mind
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Instructor
– Robina Gallagher
E-mail: [email protected]
Help available before or after
school – just ask!
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will demonstrate an understanding of
Components of the environment
 Human impacts on the environment (social and
economic)
 Global issues
 Interdisciplinary subject involves the understanding of
chemistry, physics, mathematics and technology.


Students will develop laboratory skills including the
use of compound and dissection microscopes.

Students will be able to read and understand the
scientific literature.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE…
 Homework
– every night! Even if no
homework assigned, read over notes from the
day.
SHORT TERM TO LONG TERM MEMORY

1.
2.
3.
4.
In our Classroom
Lecture (visual,
auditory)
Notes (kinesthetic)
Worksheet/Activity/
Lab (visual, auditory,
kinesthetic, many
times cooperative
feedback)
Study guide (visual,
kinesthetic)

1.
2.
3.
Your Responsibility –
Minimum of two more
times (should do three)
Review the day’s notes
and complete any
assignments
Off day, review the
day’s notes, index
cards, quizlet, etc.
Study for test
UNITS OF STUDY
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction to Environmental Biology
Ecology
Populations
Water, Air, and Land
Mineral and Energy Resources
Our Health and Our Future
ATTENDANCE
 Come to class!
Excused absences – 3 days. Missed
work is located in the back of the
room. Your responsibility to get
materials.
 Lab information will be on tests – find
out what you missed!

SUPPLIES NEEDED
Large,
3 Ring – Notebook
 Test Grade – organization and
completion.
 Do not throw anything away!
 See attached rubric.
Blue/black
pens, pencils, paper
ASSESSMENT
 Formal
tests: multiple choice/short
answer/vocabulary
 Informal tests: projects, lab reports,
presentations
 Quizzes: may or may not be announced
 Final Exam: Year end exam…you will
have a study guide
EXPECTATIONS
Be
Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Ready
Academic Integrity
Solve Problems
Communicate
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
AND HABITS OF MIND
Notes!
5 Steps of the Scientific
Method
•
•
•
•
•
Observation
Hypothesis
Experiment
Record and Analyze Data
Conclude and publish
Observations
• Any of the senses
• Sight
• Hearing
• Smell
• Taste
• Touch
• Technology
Hypothesis
• More than just an educated
guess
• “If… then…” statement
• Must be testable
Experiment
• Test or procedure
• Keep track of steps
Record and Analyze Data
• Write down everything!
• Look over data for
patterns/trends
Conclude and Publish
• Summarize your findings
• Relates back to hypothesis
• Accept it as true?
• Reject it as untrue and
revise?
• Unable to say
• Share with others
Scientific Habits of Mind
• Honesty – Reporting your results, whether
good or bad.
• Openness – Willing to listen to others’ ideas.
• Curiosity – Asking questions, seeking
answers.
• Skepticism – Not believing everything you are
told; looking for evidence to support.
• Creativity – Finding new ways of solving
problems.
HOMEWORK TONIGHT – RETURN TOMORROW!
Parent
Survey
WHO AM I?
Concept map – short phrases
Back Side – complete sentences