ACARA v9 CONTENT DESCRIPTION “describe how people use science in their daily lives, including using patterns to make scientific predictions”
Builds on watching the world and noticing things that happen again and again. Here we see that ordinary people, not just scientists in white coats, use science every day. They watch for a pattern, then use it to guess what will happen next.
People use science every day
Science is not only in big buildings. A farmer, a baker and you all use science. The trick is to notice a pattern. A pattern is when the same thing keeps happening the same way. When you spot a pattern, you can make a good guess about what comes next. A good guess from a pattern is called a prediction.
A farmer learns to predict the rain
Press the button to add each thing the farmer notices. Watch how seeing a pattern lets the farmer make a better and better guess about the rain.
New evidence (1 of 4)
Day 1: The farmer sees big dark clouds in the sky. Later that day, it rains.
Accepted model: Maybe dark clouds and rain go together. The farmer is not sure yet.
Add the next piece of evidence and watch whether the accepted model holds or has to change.
You use science to choose your clothes
Every morning you can use science too. You look outside, or you check the weather. If it looks cold and windy, you know from before that a warm coat keeps you cosy. If it looks sunny, you might wear a hat. You are using a pattern you have seen many times to predict what you will need today.
Pick a way to guess tomorrow's weather
There are many ways to guess the weather. Choose one to see the good thing about it and the not-so-good thing about it.
You want to know if it will rain tomorrow so you can choose your clothes. There are different ways people guess the weather. Pick one and see what is good and bad about it.
Choose a response to see what is gained and what is given up.
A baker uses a timer
A baker bakes bread every day. The baker has learned that the bread is ready after the same amount of time. So the baker sets a timer. The timer uses a pattern, the same baking time each day, to predict when the bread is done. Without the pattern, the bread might burn or come out raw.
Which ones use science?
Not everything we do is using science. Using science means noticing a pattern and using it to guess what will happen. Liking a colour or making a wish is nice, but it is not a pattern you can test. Sort the examples below into the ones that use science to predict and the ones that do not.
Spot the everyday science
Some of these show a person using a pattern to predict. Decide which ones really use science and which ones do not.
Claim: People use science when they notice a pattern and use it to predict what will happen.
A sailor watches the sky and the wind to guess if a storm is coming.
A child puts on a sun hat because the sky is bright and clear like on hot days before.
A cook tastes the soup, then adds salt because it is too plain.
Someone picks blue as their favourite colour today.
A friend wishes that tomorrow will be a fun day.
Decide whether each statement is evidence for the claim, or not.
Why this matters
You do not have to be a scientist to use science. When you watch the sky, check the weather or set a timer, you are noticing patterns and using them to predict. Spotting patterns helps you get ready for what comes next, every single day.
Quick self-check
1. A pattern is something that happens...
2. A farmer sees dark, heavy clouds many times, and rain comes soon after. What can the farmer predict?
3. You check that it is cold and windy outside before school. What do you do?
4. A baker uses a timer because they know bread is ready after the same time each day. This is...
5. Which is an example of a person using science in everyday life?