SCIENCE: SUBJECT NATURE AND HISTORY

SCIENCE: SUBJECT NATURE AND HISTORY

The term science comes from the Latin word scientia, meaning knowledge. It can be defined as a systematic attempt to discover, by means of observation and reasoning, particular facts about the world, and to establish laws connecting facts with one another and, in some cases, to make it possible to predict future occurrences.

·        Science is defined as the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.

·        A branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: for example, mathematical science

·        Any of the particular branches of natural or physical sciences

·        Knowledge of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study

Definition

·        Knowledge about the structure and behaviour  of the natural and physicalworld,based on facts you can prove(Oxford Dictionary)

·        Science is a set of attitudes and a way of thinking on facts(B.F.Skinner, 2005)

The modern vision about science has three dimensions

·        A method of inquiry

·        A body of knowledge

·        An outlook towards life

1.Science as a method of inquiry:

Science as inquired is basic to the nature of the discipline. Science should have the opportunity to use scientific inquiry and develop the ability to think and act in ways associated with inquiry, including asking questions, planning and conducting investigations, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, thinking critically and logically about relationships between evidence and explanations, constructing and analyzing alternative explanations, and communicating scientific arguments.

2.Science as a body of knowledge:

The cumulative nature of scientific knowledge indicates that it is added in a systematic way. The components of product of science include fact, concept, principles, theories and laws. These components are dependent in some way or the other.

3.Science as a product and process  

Science consists of three major elements

·        Processes (or methods)

·        Product

·        Human Attitude

Science as a process: Scientific knowledge does not come out from air. The body of knowledge is produced through the observations and experimentation being done by the scientist this process has many different aspects and stages.

Scientific skills are the tools used in doing the processes of science. Students observe objects and phenomena around them to understand the natural world. They will use empirical procedures and analyse the data to describe the science concepts. The science processes could also involve the formation of hypothesis, planning, collecting data and data interpretation before making a conclusion. 

Science as a product: the product of science is the body of knowledge of science facts, concepts, laws and theories.

science facts

science concepts

science laws and principles

science theories

Science Products	Descriptions
Science Facts	A scientific fact is specific statement about existing objects or actual incidents. We use senses to observe the facts. There are two criteria that are use to identify a scientific fact: a)It is directly observable; and b) It can be demonstrated at any time.
Science concepts	A concept is an abstraction of events, objects or phenomena that seem to have certain properties or attributes in common. Birds, for example, possess certain characteristics that set them apart from reptiles and mammals.
Science Laws and Principles	Principles and Laws also fall into the general category of a concept but in a broad manner. These higher order ideas are used to describe what exists through empirical basis. For example, Bemoulli’s principle and Newton laws of motion.
Science Theories	Scientists use theories to explain patterns and forces that are hidden from direct observation. The kinetic theory explains how the molecules in a solid, liquid and gas move.

4.Science as a human attitude: The third element in science is attitudes and values. Thus, when planning teaching and learning activities, teachers need to inculcate scientific attitudes and values to the students.

5.Differences between product and process aspects

Product aspect	Process aspect
The product of science include the facts, concepts, principles, theories and laws	The process consists of thinking, measuring, hypothesizing, problem solving etc.
The product is a collection of knowledge stored in books or generated in the minds of scientists.	The process  represent the ways of gathering this knowledge or information.
Product aspect is a noun	The process aspect is more a verb than a noun.
Product aspect represents the ‘end’ of scientific pursuits.	The process aspect represents the means towards the end.

6.Terminologies of science-Fact, concept, hypothesis, law, theory

Hypothesis.  Hypothesis is a shrewd guess, based on observation

7.Significance of science in school curriculum

Supremacy of science has been established in every field. Present people live in an age of science

A.Provides unique training in observation and reasoning

B.According to Herbert Spencer ‘science learning is incomparably more useful for our guidance in life other chief subjects too provide an intellectual training not inferior to that of science. Practically we live in a world of scientific discoveries,so science education cannot be neglected’.

C. Science has its cultural values.

D. Prof. H.E Armstrong says that science taught to provide training in scientific method. Which is useful in the life pursuits. so this needs a school base of science education.

E. It helps students to develop a logical mind a critical judgment and capacity for methodological organizations.

8.Scientific attitude

Defined open mindness, a desire for accuarate knowledge and the expectation that the solution of the problem will come through the use of verified knowledge-NSSE(National Society of the Study of Education).

Features: Curiosity

                Objectivity

              Belief in cause effect relationship

              Open mindness

              Ability to accept failiure

              Skepticism

9.Characteristics of science

·        Objectivity

·        Verifiability

·        Ethical neutrality

·        Systematic exploration

·        Reliability

·        Precision

·        Accuracy

·        Predictability

·        Dynamic

History of Science

In prehistoric times, technique and knowledge were passed from generation to generation in an oral tradition. Science is founded on the idea that experience, effort, and reason are valid, while magic is founded on intuition and hope.

1.Babylonian Science:

·        They showed a remarkable talent,and Magic,Mysticism,astrology,divination.

·        They kept complete lists of eclipses

·        In Babylonian astronomy, records of the motions of the stars, planets, and the moon are left on thousands of clay tablets created by scribes.

Egyptian Science:

·        Ancient Egypt made significant advances in astronomy, mathematics and medicine

·        Encouraged scientific discipline especially astronomy and Mathematics.

·        They constructed Pyramids based on Mathematical Knowledge

Greek Science:

·        Strong connection with Philosophy

·        Science was strongly connected with religion

·        Mathematical and Astronomical knowledge

·        Geometry  

Chinese Science:

·        Interested in Astronomy and Calendar

·        The court astronomers were particularly interested in the science of astronomy and mathematics.

Indian Science:

·        The first textual mention of astronomical concepts comes from the Vedas, religious literature of India.

·        Geometry was developed in India as a result of strict religious rules for the construction of altars.

·        Six seasons of the year are named and related to different gods.

·        After independence, Jawaharlal Nehru initiated reforms to promote higher education, science and technology in India.

·        Beginning in the 1960s, close ties with the Soviet Union enabled the Indian Space Research Organisation to rapidly develop the Indian space program and advance nuclear power in India even after the first nuclear test explosion by India on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran.

·        According to StatNano's 2017 report, India's rank in this indicator in the field of nanotechnology is third in the world after China and USA, which points to its focus on this technology

Current Trends

·       Scientific knowledge today is based on explanations that are affirmed by experiments. The goal of science is to answer questions about our world by creating the best possible explanation that agrees with experimental results.

·       Bangalore is considered to be the technological capital of India. IT, Biotechnology, Aerospace, Nuclear science, manufacturing technology, automobile engineering, chemical engineering, ship building, space science, electronics, computer science and other medical science related research and development are occurring on a large scale in the country. The southern part of India is responsible for the majority of technology and advancements the country has made. The golden triangle of IT and technology (Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai) forms the backbone of Indian manufacturing, R&D, science and technology.

·       In 2017, India became an associate member of European Organization for Nuclear Research.