Patterns in BondsAs your class decided: from now on you will be blogging about questions presented in the blog. All assignments will be listed both on the blog and in D2L, starting this week. We will continue discussions on Global Warming and Diversity of Life. There is an updated Timeline for assignments linked to the main pageof D2L and below.
We will have a working class on Thursday for your debate preparations/IdeaFest presentation posters. There is a template for your posters. You do this in PPT We will discuss this in class
Assignment Read: Science Matters: Achieving Science Literacy (SMASL) Ch 5, 6
Blogging Discussion Question of the Week (Ch 6): Why do scientists look for patterns in nature?
Due Dates Debates* Research/IdeaFest Poster Presentation Outreach Presentation Critical Paper
Jan 21, Start of Project – Presentation by Lynn Riley and Bridget Jacobs
Jan 27 Selection of Topic Due
Feb 4 In-class Workday Selection of Debate Topic Rough Draft of Lesson Plan to be completed in class
Feb 16, 18 IdeaFest application deadline Feb 18 IdeaFest Abstract Due Feb 18th
Mar 16, 18 Midterm Debate Day 1 Mar 16
Mar 23, 25 Midterm Debate Day 2 Mar 23
Mar 25 Outreach Presentation to Schools March 25th
Mar 30, April 1 Outreach Reflection with Lesson Plan Due to Dropbox Mar 30 Workday April 1st Research paper Abstract and Outline Due April 1
April 7, 8 IdeaFest Poster Presentation Day 7 or 8
April 13, 15 1st Rough Draft of Paper due in Class April 15
April 20, 22 2nd Rough Draft of Paper due April 22
April 27, 29 Final Paper Due uploaded to D2L AND Turnitin.com
Have a great week!
Dr. E
One reason why scientists look for patterns in nature is to why they happen in the first place. For example, let's a trait evolves multiple times in related bird species. This causes a lot of questions, such as, is this because of environmental pressures, or could this trait be a selective pressure outside of just environmental pressures? This could be seen in bird courtship dances. As an English major, I like to think of this kind of pattern as a metaphor, if it happens more than once it's probably important.
ReplyDeleteI think scientists look for patterns in nature because patterns are consistent. Consistency means that something is happening that makes this occurrence and reoccurrence happen. I also believes that scientists really enjoy consistency and they always are trying to replicate things. Such as experiments, scientists are always looking for consistencies and patterns in their experiments because it is something they can record. Studying patterns shows scientists how things work and how everything fits together in nature. Patterns are all around us and show us how nature truly works, and if scientists can find those patterns then they can truly start to understand how nature really works.
ReplyDeleteThe desire to find and define patterns in nature is the driving force behind science. The field of science tries to explain natural phenomena. When events occur in patterns they are easier to study, as opposed to isolated events. Developing theories requires doing experiments, which must be able to be replicated by other scientists in order for the theory to take hold. If there is no pattern, there will be no replication, and thus, no theories to explain the world around us. Patterns are not specific to just scientists; everyone looks for patterns in their daily lives. We identify these patterns consciously and subconsciously. Once we identify patterns we are able to start to explain the world around us.
ReplyDeleteScientific research is based on finding patterns and being able to uncover the past, present, and future with those patterns by using scientific experiments. Scientists look for patterns in their research to form a hypothesis about their studies. They strengthen their credability by being able to recreate an experiment that has already been tested. These repeating hypothesis can eventually form into laws which are proven to be facts. Patterns are important because all living things depend on these patterns to survive.
ReplyDeletePatterns in science are very important- they are consistent and reoccuring- that's why they are called "patterns!" Scientists look for patterns in order to have something to compare to/ a standard/ a baseline. Patterns can predict the future, and explain the past.
ReplyDeleteTuesday- quite honestly I can't remember this far back... too many things on my mind! maybe I'll look in my assignment book and re-post?!
Thursday- A very productive work day. Our group decided who was going to do what for the debate. We divided the work up, and began researching. I am looking forward to the debate- having a week with no classes to work on it will be very helpful! I hope we are well-prepared seeing it as we are going first on Tuesday! :)
I think scientists look for patterns in nature to understand nature's proccesses and to determine futher patterns. I think these patterns also help in the experimentation process, allowing them to form hypotheses and compare and contrast data with past findings.
ReplyDeleteClass Activities:
This week in class, we focused most of our attention and energy on preparing for our debates. On Tudesday each table read an article to discuss with the rest of the class and Thursday was a work/research day to find information for our debate. I thought it was a very productive day because our group was able to find a lot of helpful information regarding our topic and hope to incorporate as much of it as we can.
There are many reasons why scientists look for patterns in nature. Patterns are a way in which scientific theories can be proven into becoming laws, by the consistant outcomes in nature. Naturally occuring patterns give us a tangible grasp on the reality of science, moving it from the realm of subjective into objective.
ReplyDeleteIn class we prepared for our debates, choosing topics and discussing in our groups what each member would be doing and researching. We found out which days we would be going and what groups we would be debating against as well.
Patterns in science are important because they help scientists predict the past and future events in nature. Patterns are often developed into theories and the theories, if proven through several experiments, are made into laws. All areas in science study patterns.
ReplyDeleteIn class we prepared for our debate topics. My group is defending the idea that anthroprogenic global warmining exists. During class we found several arguments against global warming. We will take the arguments and find research against them. As a group we feel like we have a pretty good grasp on the material so far. However, we have alot more research to do.
Patterns are very necessary to conduct experiments and studies. With patterns you can eliminate what is not working and focus on what is. Scientists are constantly looking for answers about everything and anything, thus making patterns very important.
ReplyDeleteI think that scientists look for patterns in nature because patterns indicate that something repeats and that makes it easier for scientists to find a relationship among things. In science, patterns are an important part of finding how things relate to one another and it makes it easier for scientists to make deductions.
ReplyDeleteJonathan,
ReplyDeleteI believe in scientific patterns in nature becasue they can be predicted and others can run the same experiment and find similar results. The world is a wonderful and interesting place such as: snow flake formation is symmetrical or salmon swimming upstream to reproduce every year. And scientist look for patterns to describe what is in nature and with that information, it can be reproduced by others.
Scientists look for patterns in nature because they can make assumptions and predictions by using these patterns. They can follow a specific pattern to determine how an animal or plant might develop or decay over time. Like many of my classmates have said, patterns can help create relationships in science and help us to understand our world around us a little better.
ReplyDeleteI think that scientists look for patterns in nature because it creates relationship between both like and unlike things that can help us find solutions to any problems that occur. Everyone looks for a pattern when solving a problem, no matter what subject it is. It helps us understand every aspect of a problem before jumping to conclusions.
ReplyDeleteStudying things that have happened in the past are often times the best predictor for future occurrences. By studying patterns, scientists are more likely to correctly predict these future occurrences. If scientists were able to predict things such as earthquakes, it could save the lives of millions of people, but without studying what causes earthquakes and past earthquakes, any prediction made would just be a random shot in the dark. Through studying patterns in past earthquakes maybe someday scientists will be able to predict when the next will strike someday.
ReplyDeleteScientists are interested in observing patterns because such can lead to better understanding natural functions and processes. Perhaps this is best understood by considering the converse of a pattern, an anomaly. Generally speaking, if something occurs at an erratic frequency without any explanatory variables, it will be very difficult to understand. However, if the phenomena occurs regularly it will be much easier to study and isolate the significant variables. Once this occurs scientists are able to hypothesis and model future scenarios or functions.
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