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Table of Contents
Science is a systematic undertaking that creates and organizes information about the Universe in the form of verified explanations and predictions by scientists. Science can be further divided into three branches: Physical Science, Life Science, and Social Science.
See the fact file below for more information on Science, or you can download our 53-page Science worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ETYMOLOGY AND HISTORY
- The term science is derived from the Latin scientia, the present participle of the verb scire, which means “to know.” Its origins may be traced back to the European proto-indo *sik-, which means “to cut.”
- Humans have always been curious, wanting to know why things act the way they do and attempting to correlate observation with prediction.
- For example, from prehistoric times, humans have been observing the skies and attempting to make sense of seasonal variations in the positions of the sun, moon, and stars.
- Around 4000 BCE, the Mesopotamians attempted to explain their discoveries by claiming that the Earth was at the center of the Universe, with the other celestial bodies around it.
- Humans have always been fascinated by the nature and origins of the Universe.
- But they weren’t only about astronomy. The extraction of iron, which resulted in the Iron Age, is a chemical process established by early metallurgists who had little comprehension of the science involved.
- Nonetheless, they were able to optimize the extraction through trial and error. Previously, copper and tin were removed (resulting in the Bronze Age), and subsequently, zinc.
- It is unclear how they found it, but it is possible that they were created by observation and experimentation in a manner similar to that utilized by today’s scientists.
- Early humans also discovered that some plants might be used to cure illness and disease, and herbal medicines were produced, some of which are still employed by current pharmaceutical firms to provide leads for new synthetic pharmaceuticals.
- The Greeks were the first to try to establish the theory underlying their findings, with individuals like Pythagoras focusing on a mathematical picture of the Universe.
- Similarly, Aristotle and Plato created logical strategies for investigating their surroundings.
- The Greeks were the first to propose that matter was made up of atoms or fundamental components that could not be broken down anymore.
- But it wasn’t just the Greeks that advanced science. India, China, the Middle East, and South America were also developing science.
- Despite having their distinct cultural perspectives on the world, they each produced items such as gunpowder, soap, and paper on their own.
- However, it wasn’t until the 13th century that most of this scientific work was gathered at European colleges and began to resemble science as we know it today.
- Initially, progress was quite sluggish. It took until the 16th century, for example, for Copernicus to revolutionize (literally) the way we look at the Universe and for Harvey to present his views on how blood moved throughout the human body.
- Slow growth was caused by religious doctrine at times, but it was also a result of difficult times!
- Modern science was truly born in the 17th century when the world began to be investigated more thoroughly using equipment such as the telescope, microscope, clock, and barometer.
- It was also at this time that scientific rules explaining phenomena like gravity and the relationship between a gas’s volume, pressure, and temperature began to emerge.
- Much of fundamental biology and chemistry was created during the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century.
- The nineteenth century saw some of science’s most famous figures, including chemist John Dalton, who proposed the atomic theory of matter; Michael Faraday and James Maxwell, who both proposed theories about electricity and magnetism; and Charles Darwin, who laid out the (still controversial) theory of evolution.
- Each of these findings compelled scientists to rethink their assumptions about how the world operated.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
- The Scientific Method was used to discover much of our current science. The Scientific Method is a technique scientists use to obtain reliable findings from their investigations.
- Most things, scientists believe, have a natural explanation. They attempt to identify the root cause of each problem they encounter to devise a solution.
- Scientists, for example, can attempt to restrict illness spread by studying what causes it.
- The scientific method refers to the procedure by which scientists solve problems.
- Scientists begin by learning as much as they can about a problem. They then form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an explanation for a problem.
- They experiment with putting the hypothesis to the test. If the experiment fails to support the hypothesis, the scientists revisit the issue and develop a new hypothesis.
- The steps for the scientific method are below:
- Making preliminary observations,
- Creating an interesting question based on the observations
- Creating a hypothesis or forecast in response to the inquiry
- Testing and experimenting
- Gathering and documenting test and experiment findings, as well as making conclusions
- Sharing and debating the outcome
- Scientists build scientific ideas based on the information gleaned from testing several possibilities. A theory is a far more comprehensive explanation than a hypothesis.
- Theories, according to scientists, are the best explanations for why certain things happen in the natural world. If scientists uncover new information about a subject, a hypothesis may need to be revised.
BRANCHES OF SCIENCE
- Science covers a wide range of topics. These studies are classified into three categories: physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences.
Physical Science
- The physical sciences are concerned with nonliving entities, ranging from the minuscule particles that comprise an atom to the Universe.
- The study of matter and the forces that act on it is known as physics.
- The study of substances is known as chemistry.
Astronomy is the study of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies.
- The Earth sciences are the study of the features of the Earth.
- Mathematics is a physical science as well as it is the study of numbers. It is also employed in nearly every other branch of science.
Life Science
The life sciences are concerned with living creatures and their environment.
Biology involves the study of life in the natural world.
- Botany is the study of plants, whereas zoology is the study of animals.
- Medicine is the study of health and illness.
Social Studies
- Human existence and culture are studied in the social sciences.
- Sociology is the study of society or social groups.
- Psychology is the study of our human mind and emotions.
- Geography is the study of the Earth’s surface.
- Anthropology is the study of the origins and evolution of human civilizations and cultures.
- Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of commodities and services.
SCIENCE SUBJECTS
Biology
- Biology studies life in the natural world. This comprises topics such as the cell, genes, inheritance, germs, plants, animals, and the human body.
- Ecology studies how organisms interact with their environment, agriculture (the study of generating crops from land), biochemistry (the chemical reactions required to support life), botany (the study of plants), physiology (how live organisms operate), and zoology are all aspects of biology (the study of animals).
- Biology is founded on the following significant theories and fundamentals:
- The basic building block of all life is the cell. Each biological entity is composed of one or more cells.
- Genetics studies how organisms pass on characteristics and traits from generation to generation.
- Homeostasis is the process through which an organism or cell regulates its conditions. Humans, for example, can control their body temperature to 98.6 degrees.
- All living entities can obtain energy from outside sources. Humans, for example, consume foods such as vegetables and meat.
- Photosynthesis is the process plants undergo to obtain energy from the sun.
- The term biology is derived from the Greek words “bios” (life) and “logia” (study of). Combine those two words, and you get “life study.”
Earth Science
- The study of the planet Earth is called Earth science. It encompasses the entire globe, from the deep inner core to the outer layers of the atmosphere.
- Earth science encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including geology (rocks and minerals), paleontology (dinosaurs and fossils), meteorology (atmosphere and weather), and oceanography, to mention a few.
- The atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere are some of the different “spheres” of the Earth study.
- The atmosphere is the air that surrounds the planet and comprises many gases (mostly nitrogen and oxygen).
- The atmosphere forms a protective barrier surrounding the Earth, keeping it warm and shielding it from solar radiation. Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere, which includes the weather.
- The biosphere is the zone of the planet where life exists. It encompasses all biomes and ecosystems in the world.
- The hydrosphere is the area of the planet covered by water, which includes oceans, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. The ocean covers over 75% of the Earth’s surface. Oceanography is the study of the ocean.
- The lithosphere is the Earth’s outer layer. It consists of the Earth’s crust and a portion of the mantle. The lithosphere is divided into massive parts known as tectonic plates.
- Geologists study the lithosphere, which includes rocks, minerals, and Earth’s history.
Chemistry
- Chemistry is the scientific study of matter’s characteristics and how matter interacts with energy. Chemistry is a physical subject that is very closely tied to physics.
- Chemistry is commonly called the “central science” since it is a necessary component of many other significant sciences, including biology, Earth science, and physics.
- Chemists are scientists who specialize in chemistry.
- Chemistry can be found all around us. When we are sick, doctors use chemistry to create medicine that will help us.
- Engineers employ chemistry to create electronics such as your television and cell phone. Farmers use chemistry to make their crops grow so we can eat them.
- Chefs, too, use chemistry to prepare delectable food. Understanding chemistry allows you to grasp the world and its operations better.
- Matter is everything around us: your computer, the air you breathe, your lunch, and even you are formed of matter. When you study chemistry, you will learn everything there is to know about matter and its properties.
- The Components of Matter:
- The matter is made up of various building blocks.
- Atom: Matter is composed of small building components known as atoms. Even the smallest item requires millions upon millions of atoms.
- Element: Elements are substances made up of a single type of atom.
- Compounds: Are made up of various sorts of components.
- Mixture: A material composed of chemicals that do not combine chemically.
Physics
- Physics studies matter and motion and how matter interacts with energy and forces.
- Physics is a vast science. There are numerous fields of physics, including electricity, astronomy, motion, waves, sound, and light.
- Physics investigates the smallest elemental particles and atoms, the greatest stars, and the Universe.
- Physicists are scientists who specialize in physics. Physicists utilize the scientific method to evaluate ideas and create scientific rules.
- Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein are two well-known scientists.
- Physics explains how our environment operates. Much of today’s technology is based on scientific breakthroughs achieved in physics.
- Engineers utilize physics to help create airplanes, automobiles, buildings, and electrical devices such as computers and cell phones.
Important Physics Discoveries
- Copernicus discovered the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
- Galileo demonstrated that heavy things do not fall more quickly than lighter ones in his famous Leaning Tower of Pisa experiment.
- Isaac Newton was the first to publish the three laws of motion and explain how gravity works.
- John Dalton was the first to explain the atom and the atomic theory of matter.
- Albert Einstein was the first to publish his theory of relativity.
- Max Planck explained quantum theory.
Animals
- Zoologists and wildlife biologists study captive and wild animals and how they interact with their environments. They are mainly concerned with wild animals and their behavior, as well as the impact of humans on wildlife and natural ecosystems.
- Conservation status:
- V – Vulnerable
- E – Endangered
- CR – Critically endangered
- ** Please remember that certain bigger groups, such as penguins and butterflies, contain endangered species, but the entire group is not recognized.
Environment
- Everything around us is part of the environment. The environment includes everything in our surroundings, including the air, soil, water, plants, and animals.
Fun Facts
- In 2014, the United States generated over 258 million tons of trash. Around 89 million tons of waste were recycled or composted.
- Carbon dioxide emissions were lowered by 181 million metric tons by recycling 89 million tons of waste.
- In 2015, the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum produced more than 67% of the power generated in the United States.
- Nuclear power facilities supply around 20% of the electricity generated in the United States.
- If you could capture all the sunlight that falls on Earth in one hour, you would have enough energy to power the planet for a year.
- Los Angeles, California, has the worst air pollution in the United States.
- Around 40% of rivers and lakes in the United States need to be cleaner to fish or swim in.
- Water pollution is frequently caused by land or air pollution, carried to lakes, oceans, and rivers when it rains.
- The ozone layer shields humans from the sun’s cancer-causing radiation. The ozone layer has been harmed by compounds known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Biomes and Ecosystems
- To live, plants and animals require a healthy habitat. An ecosystem is where living species interact with their surroundings to thrive.
- When man damages ecosystems, some biological organisms may be unable to live. A biome is a broad group of habitats such as the desert, savanna, and rainforest.
Topics
- Desert
- Grasslands
- Savanna
- Tundra
- Tropical Rainforest
- Temperate Forest
- Taiga Forest
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Coral Reef
Environmental Science
- The study of the environment and how it works is known as environmental science.
- Environmental scientists frequently investigate how humans have damaged the Earth’s environment and how we might lessen our ecological impact.
- Environmental scientists research topics such as the atmosphere, oceans, geology, ecosystems, and ecology.
Nutrient Cycles
- The Earth’s ecology is constantly recycling nutrients so that different areas of the environment can use them.
- Periodic cycles are critical to the survival of living beings. The water cycle, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, and food chain are all essential cycles.
Topics
- Food Chain and Web
- Carbon Cycle
- Oxygen Cycle
- Water Cycle
- Nitrogen Cycle
Environmental Issues
- Human actions have resulted in numerous environmental challenges, such as land, water, and air pollution.
- Environmental science includes determining how the environment has been harmed and then working on strategies to assist the environment in recovering.
Topics
- Land Pollution
- Air Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Ozone Layer
- Recycling
- Global Warming
Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy is a crucial component of assisting the environment’s recovery.
- Renewable energy employs energy sources that cannot be “used up,” such as wind and sunlight, rather than burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
Topics
- Biomass Energy
- Geothermal Energy
- Hydropower
- Solar Power
- Wave and Tidal Energy
- Wind Power
Science Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Science across 50 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Science. Science can be further divided into three branches: Physical Science, Life Science, and Social Science.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Science Facts
- I belong to the –
- Match it, Biome!
- The Scientific Method
- Stop the Climate Change
- The Balanced Apple
- Tornado in a Bottle
- Cell Models
- Volcano Eruption
- Scientific Bookmarks
- Save the Animals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific method?
The scientific method is a systematic approach used by scientists to investigate natural phenomena and acquire knowledge. It typically involves making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments or gathering data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions. The scientific method emphasizes objectivity, reproducibility, and the use of empirical evidence to support or refute hypotheses.
What is the theory of evolution?
The theory of evolution is a well-established scientific explanation for the diversity of life on Earth. It proposes that species have descended from common ancestors and have changed over time through a process called natural selection. Natural selection acts on variations within populations, favoring those traits that increase an organism’s chances of survival and reproduction. Over long periods, these accumulated changes can lead to the development of new species.
What is the Big Bang theory?
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing scientific explanation for the origin of the universe. It suggests that the universe began as a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature, approximately 13.8 billion years ago. From this incredibly hot and dense state, the universe expanded and cooled, giving rise to the formation of matter, energy, and eventually galaxies, stars, and planets.
What is DNA?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms. It is a double-stranded helix structure composed of nucleotide bases, including adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The specific sequence of these bases encodes the genetic information that determines an organism’s traits and characteristics.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that plays a vital role in regulating Earth’s temperature. It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This phenomenon is essential for maintaining a habitable climate on Earth. However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases, leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming.
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