The Secret Life of Scientists

What do scientists really do? Popular ideas of how science works are filtered through the media and watered down to be "understood" with the least effort by the general public. But scientific thinking is a fascinating and valuable way to look at the way the world works. 

This class will show you: 

• How to be a scientist
• How to identify a reasonable question to investigate
• How to effectively present your results without distorting the facts
• Why experiments usually generate more questions than they answer! 

Anyone who is interested in becoming a scientist in any field, including medicine will clearly benefit from this experience. But even students who just want to be able to look at the world in a critical, systematic way will develop tools for investigating their world, and for digesting the unprecedented amount of "scientific" news we are bombarded with every day of our lives.

Are You A Good Question Or A Bad Question? (Why, I don’t think I’m a question at all!)

• "Keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler. "Einstein"
• As the Worm Turns - a living, questioning activity
• What type of question can science address?
• How do you set up a well-controlled experiment to answer that question – and only that question?

One, Two, Three, Four… One, Two, Three, Four…

• How should your results be measured? An elephant with a ruler would take a while! (or: how many acres fit in a mouse?)
• What are the appropriate measurement units to use?
• What is the best collection method/system?

What’s It All About?

• Introduction to statistical analysis
• What do your data mean?
• How can you summarize your results so they make sense?

Let Your Voices Ring Out!

• How do scientists present data?
• Research papers are like albums to musicians, and seminars are like live concerts!
• How can you present your results fairly and impressively?
• What does "peer review" really mean?

4 sessions

2 hours per session

$950

Maximum 15 students

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