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Kuril Islands Biocomplexity

Hi Misty-

I am having a blast following all the expeditions. Now that I am home, I am getting my curriculum developed, making a list of outreach activities, and planning for my first quarter of school which starts in late July for us. Yay for year round school!

Our first quarter in science is organized around the standard of how scientists do science. We review different tools that scientists use to do science (measurement, GPS, microscopes, etc) and then get into the process of inquiry. You can BET that we will be asking you questions ;)

When you were in the field last time, did you observe the scientists revising their hypothesis based on unforseen circumstances? How did they come up with their decision to 'revise?'

Thank you so much for your time. I am REALLY looking forward to your mission and promise to be watching and listening as you travel and do research! 

warmly,

Maggie 

Mon, 06/11/2007 - 19:28

Misty Nikula

MaggieYear-round school! Wow! Keep an eye out for my Live from IPY events! We're going to try and do at least two...
I would have to say that I observed scientists modifying their "small" hypotheses constantly - but their "big" hypotheses less often. What I mean by that is that the scientists (like many of us) have big overarching ideas about how things might work or what they might observe as well as smaller thoughts about what they might find in a specific site or excavation.
Whenever they would come across something that didn't fit their idea they first would try to determine if the data or observation was "real" - meaning that they tried to figure out if the discrepancy was an accurate piece of information or if it was due to a measurement or sampling error. Then if it didn't seem to be explained in that way - then they would alter their hypothesis.
Of course, the bigger the idea and the more observations that had supported it in the past, the more hesitant scientists are to toss out a hypotheis or theory. Or, rather, the more counterevidence that they need to create a new hypothesis. Scientists want to accurately understand the world - but they don't want to be "willy nilly" either!
I am very much looking forward to questions from your students this summer!
Misty