I reviewed the definitions of science. Class slides are available on Canvas.

Students collaborated  in small groups to help define science and mathematics, and to help understand the nature of scientific knowledge. Each of these topics could be (and are for some) the focus of lifelong study, so we clearly only scratched at their surfaces.

In a general sense, you can think of science as a reason-based search to identify and to uncover the relationships and causes of unbreakable natural patterns using observation and experiment.  Nature operates through patterns, not on natures and purposes. If this certain thing happens, we know this other thing will necessarily follow. The collection of natural patterns is referred to as the “laws” of science.

Although science is our most successful and valuable approach to studying nature, humans entertain a broader spectrum of thought and science is not the answer to all of our questions. For example, science can inform us what might happen if we do something, but it does not answer whether we should do it  – that’s why some understanding of science is valuable for all.

The readings are available on Canvas.
Required Reading: “Can we know the Universe? Reflections on a grain of salt” by Carl Sagan Optional Reading: Judge Jones’ ruling in the Dover Science Education Case (2005)

Online quiz: Science & Mathematics Quiz (Due 19 January)