Unit 2 Your Personal Science Odyssey

Lead in

1. Within 3 minutes with your partner brainstorm as many terms to do with natural sciences as you can. Compare your lists.

• What natural science(s) do your terms refer to?

2. Read the definition of Astrobiology

Astrobiology studies the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.

3. Work in pairs and answer the question: What does your field of science study?

Tool box: Giving definitions …is a science / study of … to study, to examine, to investigate, to describe, to deal with, to determine, etc.

Reading

1. Look through the definitions of some natural sciences dealing with environmental issues.

2. Match the definitions with the right titles of sciences. Mark the key words in each definition that helped you to make the right guess. One has already been done for you.

Managing your learning Choosing techniques appropriate for your reading goals can save you time. Here are some reading techniques you may find helpful for reading efficiently—quickly and with good understanding. Guessing the new words Using a dictionary for new words Highlighting repeated or paraphrased key words.

A …uses scientific background to the processes which affect the environment and its management as well as considering the social, legal and policy implications of environmental issues.

B …uses a high level of mathematical technique for the description and analysis of complex environmental systems. It needs complicated statistical methods in the design of experiments and interpretation of measurements in the monitoring of the environment…

C …is concerned with the health of our environment and the significance of pollution. It focuses around our ability to improve our understanding of the effects of pollution on plants and animals and to develop early warning markers of organisms, population or environmental health.

D …is the scientific study of chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places. It deals with the behaviour of both natural and man-made substances in relation to atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial environment.

E …is the science of the relationship between organisms and their environments. It is the study of harmful effects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward prevention or reversal through conservation.

(Adapted from Lancaster University Undergraduate Prospectus Entry 2005)

1. Pollution Science (C)

2. Ecology ( )

3. Environmental Management ( )

4. Environmental Chemistry ( )

5. Environmental Mathematics ( )

Speaking

Which of the sciences listed below go with which sector of the chart according to its popularity with high school leavers? Give reasons for your choice.

Tool box: Making comparisons … is more/ less interesting than … rewarding challenging prestigious perspective well-paid difficult boring … is harder/better/worse than … … is the oldest of all, because … most challenging least difficult

a) Biological Sciences

b) Computer Science

c) Geography

d) Physics

e) Chemistry

f) Mathematics

g) Ecology

Follow the model:

I think		correspond(s) to
In my opinion	………	match(es)	sector …	because …
As far as I know		go(es) with

Listening

Recording 2.2 Recording 2.3 Recording 2.4 Recoding 2.5

Recording 2.6 Recording 2.7 Recording 2.8 Recording 2.9

Recording 2.10 Recording 2.11 Recording 2.12

1. Work with a partner. Choose the correct explanation of the words and phrases below. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. If you study mammals you may probably deal with

a) turtles b) monkeys c) bugs

2. If you are determined to do something you

a) hesitate for too long b) are afraid of it c) are resolute

3. A specimen is a

a) illustration b) example c) sample

4. If you are embarrassed you feel

a) confused b) angry c) impressed

5. Aeronautic means something that is related to

a) water b) air c) cosmos

6. If you are embarrassed you feel

a) confused b) angry c) impressed

7. If you deal with glassware you should remember that it is

a) sharp b) sticky c) fragile

8. If you study the properties of a substance you study its

a) origin b) quality & characteristic c) possible applications

9. Phenomenon is a

a) fact or event in nature b) chemical reaction c) behaviour

10. If someone is counseling you they are

a) coping off you b) advising you c) prompting you

11. When someone flunks at school or university they

a) miss classes b) get awarded c) fail an exam

12. If something is tough it is:

a) difficult b) heavy c) unpleasant

13. If you are at loose ends you:

a) know exactly what you want to do b) feel relaxed c) have nothing

to do

14. When you feel inspired by something you are:

a) motivated b) confused c) happy

15. If something is advanced it is:

a) basic b) higher &complex c) extraordinary

2. Listen to three research scientists telling how they got interested in science.

Identify each speaker. Tick (V) the correct piece of information about them.

Speaker 1 Speaker 2 Speaker 3 Speaker 4

1. Linus Pauling, Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Peace

2. Silvia Earle, Biologist

3. Leon Lederman, Nobel Prize in Physics

4. Donna Shirley, Aeronautic engineer

Who…?	Silvia Earle	Leon Lederman	Donna Shirley	Linus Pauling
as a child was determined about the future profession of a scientist
loved reading popular science books for kids and science fiction books
was inspired by stories describing explorations
read books about insects and collected specimens of butterflies and beetles
had a particular career in mind
worked as a lab assistant in school
gave lectures and wrote a book on world peace
was fond of experiments
chose the area of science unusual for a girl
had at first difficulty studying at university/college

3. Listen again and answer the questions.

1. Why Sylvia Earle first wanted to be a veterinarian?

2. Why did she work as a laboratory assistant?

3. Why did Linus Pouling become interested in chemistry? What was his favorite journal?

4. Why did Leon Lederman get so impressed by Einstein’s book “Meaning of

Relativity”?

5. How did Leon Lederman’s brother influence his choice of a career in science?

6. What do we call people who build airplanes?

7. Why did Donna Shirley get fascinated about Mars and space travel?

8. Why couldn’t she specialize in space at college?

9. Why did she have to study a lot during her Christmas holidays?