2. Learn the definition of the terms:

Science Our knowledge of the natural world and the process through which that knowledge is built. The process of science relies on the testing of ideas with evidence gathered from the natural world. Science as a whole cannot be precisely defined but can be broadly described by a set of key characteristics.

TechnologyDesigned innovations that serve some practical function. Science and technology frequently contribute to one another — with scientific advances leading to the design of new technologies, and new technologies enabling new observations or tests that advance scientific knowledge.

FactStatement that is known to be true through direct observation. Since scientific ideas are inherently tentative, the term fact is more meaningful in everyday language than in the language of science.

Natural worldAll the components of the physical universe — atoms, plants, ecosystems, people, societies, galaxies, etc., as well as the natural forces at work on those things. Elements of the natural world (as opposed to the supernatural) can be investigated by science.

DeduceTo figure out through logical reasoning. Deductions are often based on established knowledge and/or assumptions.

EvidenceTest results and/or observations that may either help support or help refute a scientific idea. In general, raw data are considered evidence only once they have been interpreted in a way that reflects on the accuracy of a scientific idea.

TestIn science, an observation or experiment that could provide evidence regarding the accuracy of a scientific idea. Testing involves figuring out what one would expect to observe if an idea were correct and comparing that expectation to what one actually observes.

Line of evidenceEvidence drawn from one sort of test result that bears on the accuracy of an idea. In science, it is often desirable to use multiple lines of evidence (drawn from different sorts of tests and even different fields of study) to evaluate a scientific idea.

3. Read and translate the text. Write a synopsis of the text in five sentences.

The social side of science: A human and community endeavor

The stereotypical image of a scientist is not a very social one: a geeky guy, isolated in a windowless basement lab, strictly following the rules of THE Scientific Method, until he finally makes a great discovery. No collaborators, no communication, no diversity. What's wrong with this picture? Well, severalthings:

1. First, as discussed in How science works, there is no single scientific method that can be blindly followed. The process of science is flexible and may take many possible paths.

2. Second, science is done by unique individuals — not by automated robots coldly following a routine without motivation, ambition, or creativity. Scientists are people too! Many of them care passionately about their work, and many of them are intensely creative. Theirpersonalities, backgrounds, andgoalsarehighlydiverse.

3. And finally, science is embedded within a global scientific community. This community provides cultural norms, expectations, and accumulated knowledge, which are essential to the expansion of scientific knowledge.

In opposition to its stereotype, science much more typically works something like this: After reading up on the recent work of other scientists studying animal behavior, a scientist in Brazil gets an idea for a new bird song experiment while playing a word game with her kids. She calls a colleague in Canada to discuss the idea and to find out where she can get the recording software she will need for the experiment. She then recruits a few students and a visiting researcher from China to work on the project, and they apply for funding. After they complete the study, the team writes up the work and submits it to a journal for publication. The journal sends it out to three different scientists for review: one in Japan, one in the U.S., and one in the U.K. The reviewers like the study but suggest some changes to improve the statistical analysis. The team makes the changes and the paper is published several months later. A graduate student in France reads the paper with his lab group, emails the Brazilian researcher to learn more about her experimental procedures, and comes up with a follow-up experiment. He recruits another graduate student and a professor to work on the project with him … and so on. Compared to its stereotype, real science is more complex — but also more human.

Scientists do spend time working alone — in the field, in the lab, or at the computer — but most also collaborate on research with others. And, of course, scientists don't just do research. Most scientific work also involves reviewing other scientists' articles for journals, teaching, mentoring graduate students and younger scientists, speaking at conferences, and participating in scientific societies. So the job of being a scientist involves lots more than disappearing into a windowless lab and running an endless series of experiments!

Science touches many aspects of our lives: from the mundane (e.g., the plastic lid on your morning coffee) to the world-changing (e.g., the eradication of smallpox). And while some of the impacts of science on society may not be clear boons, many are. Without science, we would not have even basic knowledge about promoting health, safety, and environmental stewardship. This knowledge informs both our personal and societal decision-making. Scientific knowledge also forms the basis for technological advancement. From a simple light bulb, to a complex computer, to genetically engineered rice — they are all man-made technologies based on basic scientific knowledge.

Everyday, we are bombarded with messages based on science: the nightly news reports on the health effects of cholesterol in eggs, a shampoo advertisement claims that it has been scientifically proven to strengthen hair, or the newspaper reports on the senate's vote to restrict carbon dioxide emissions based on their impact on global warming. Media representations of science and science-related policy are essential for quickly communicating scientific messages to the broad public; however, some important parts of the scientific message can easily get lost or garbled in translation. Understanding the nature of science can make you a better-informed consumer of those messages and policies. Itcanhelpyou:

• separatesciencefromspin

• identifymisrepresentationsofscience, and

• find trustworthy sources for further information.

To demonstrate how this works, we'll look at a set of questions that you can use to get to the science behind the hype:

1. Where does the information come from?

2. Are the views of the scientific community accurately portrayed ?

3. Is the scientific community’s confidence in the ideas accurately portrayed ?

4. Where can I get more information ?

5. How strong is the evidence ?