AoK2: Natural Sciences -- Lesson 2

Thank you for welcoming so warmly Mr. Cotton's class today.

The AoK2 focus of today's lesson was on the scientific method:

• What is it?
• What are its elements?
• How does it guide the pursuit of knowledge in the Natural Sciences?

We used an adapted 'Monty Python' clip to develop our understanding of the scientific methods. The wikipedia entry refers to the 'scientific method' as:

• the body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.

The wikipedia entry goes on to outline the 8 steps in the scientific method:

1. Define the question
2. Gather information and resources (observe)
3. Form hypothesis (from Monty Python: express as If... then... statement)
4. Perform experiment and collect data
5. Analyze data
6. Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis (from Monty Python: consider matters of validity -- i.e. study conducted supports conclusion reached -- and reliability -- i.e. consistency)
7. Publish results
8. Retest (frequently done by other scientists)

In the process, we built on last week's conclusions -- namely, that knowledge in the natural sciences relies on sense perception, reason (both inductive and deductive), and experience -- and saw the important role played by imagination and creativity in the scientific method.

For Lesson 3, you are now to react to one of the two texts (i.e. either 'Octavian Nothing' chapter excerpt or 'Madness or genius' news article) handed-out at the end of the lesson. Specifically, your post should answer this two-part question:

1. What 'picture' of the natural sciences do you get from your chosen text? Be specific.
2. To what extent does this 'picture' cohere (i.e. match) your experiences with and understandings of the natural sciences? How and why? Be specific.

Your post should be in two paragraphs and run about 400 words in total. To make your post successfully persuasive, and to convince readers of your point of view, be sure to: PERERR -- i.e.

• POINT -- make it clear what you're talking about
• EXAMPLE -- provide evidence
• RETELL -- describe/rephrase/paraphrase in your own words your evidence
• EXPLANATION -- explain more fully your evidence
• RELATE -- connect your explanation and evidence to the question at hand
• REFLECT -- inject your voice: 'I feel/think/believe/can see...'

Please post your response to the blog by Tuesday, February 29th.