Sign-up sheet for
those interested in bringing in a news item to share (for a head count)
Up-coming events you
could attend for Assignment 1 (in place of news item) - see Canvas page
Goals for Day:
Biodiversity survey - review key
groups
Be able to determine the kinds of questions
scientists can & cannot address
The role of debate in science
Distinguish between science, non-science
& pseudo-science
Lack of communication between
scientists & non-scientists in the US today - "Why Pluto Matters"
Question 1: What are the levels
of the taxonomic hierarchy?
What are the Kingdoms of Domain
Eukarya?
Question 2:
How do scientists work?? (15
minutes)
What are some of the main
points E.O.Wilson is trying to make in the first chapter of his book?
Address these 3 issues
within your group, and be prepared to report back to the class at large:
"Round-robin:" What was the most
interesting/intriguing thing you read in this chapter?
Discussion: What are some
examples from the chapter of how scientists work? Does it sound to you
like a static activity?
Round-robin Write: (pass
around a sheet of paper) What do you think was Wilson's main point in this
chapter, and how might that relate to the main theme & goals of this course?
Report back to class
- ALL should be prepared to answer for their group!!
"Breaking the
crucible of evolution" - What is the point of
chapter 2?
Question 3: What kinds of
questions can scientists address? What kinds can they not address?
Science Questions:
Testable questions that attempt to explain
natural phenomena.
Non-Science Questions:
What is "Pseudo-Science?"
If Science is limited in the types of
questions it can address, what moral or ethical limitations are there to
scientific study?
Question 4: In Wilson's
chapter 3:
What is an example he uses of debate in science?
What is
your perception of this debate?
What is the overall role of
debate in science? Are scientists just a bunch of bickering kids
who can't ever agree about anything, or is there actually some useful
purpose served by such debates?
Question 5: What is the main
point Wilson is trying to make in ch.3?