EdX

Question Everything: Scientific Thinking in Real Life (edX)

Question Everything: Scientific Thinking in Real Life (edX)

Learn how to use math and science to solve everyday problems and better prepare yourself to continue studying science in high school and beyond. Have you ever wondered how you can apply math and science skills to real life? Do you wish you could go beyond what you've learned in the classroom? This science course will advance your knowledge as we unpack some important scientific thinking skills using real-world examples.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

By completing this course, you will be better prepared to continue studying math and science at the high school level and beyond.

In this course, a collaboration between The University of Queensland and Brisbane Grammar School, we will cover key scientific concepts related to:

  • Measurement
  • Estimation
  • The validity of evidence
  • The difference between logic and opinion
  • Misconceptions
  • Modeling
  • Prediction
  • Extrapolation

Each concept will be explored through real world examples and problems that will help you visualize how math and science work in your life.
This course is ideal for high school students looking to challenge themselves and further develop an interest in math and science. It is also applicable to high school science teachers looking for additional materials for teaching.

What you'll learn:

  • When and how to ask important scientific questions
  • To apply scientific thinking to real world scenarios
  • To develop the essential skills for studying math and science at the high school level and beyond

Syllabus

Module 1: Data and Measurement
Meet the course team and an introduction to the course content and navigation. We look at how speed is calculated using a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

Module 2: Estimation and Measurement
We investigate the different ways in which we might perform an estimation and then use estimation to solve a variety of problems.

Module 3: Validity of Evidence
We explore the difference between quantitative and qualitative evidence and develop our understanding of validity as it relates to evidence.

Module 4: Evidence and Opinion
Learn the important difference between evidence and opinion, and test that understanding by conducting an experiment.

Module 5: Misconceptions
Through a series of investigations and experiments we look at how misconceptions are formed and how to construct a better understanding of the facts surrounding a common misconception.

Module 6: Modelling
We use data from a number of Olympic and World records to develop models and feature a graphing tool to better understand data modelling.

Module 7: Prediction and Extrapolation
We continue to use Olympic and World records to move beyond modelling in order to extrapolate information and make predictions.

Module 8: Synthesis and Application
Finally, we synthesise the concepts covered in all 7 modules to perform an experiment related to the calculation of gravity.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Maths Essentials (edX) EdX
Imperial College Business School,Imperial College London

Maths Essentials (edX)

Discover and acquire the fundamental maths skills that you will need to use while studying an MBA program, from algebra to differentiation and geometric series. Planning to study for an MBA but unsure of your basic maths skills? All MBA programs, and in business generally require some maths, particularly on quantitative subjects such as Accounting, Economics and Finance.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Science: A Work in Progress (edX) EdX
Smithsonian,SmithsonianX

Science: A Work in Progress (edX)

Science: A Work in Progress - shows how science isn’t produced through one linear method, but through an interconnected set of practices, and examines ways that teachers can make learning science in the classroom more authentic. This online workshop: Science: A Work in Progress, is based on ideas presented in Good Thinking! an original animated series developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science (chemistry) (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science (chemistry) (edX)

Top chefs and Harvard researchers explore how everyday cooking and haute cuisine can illuminate basic principles in chemistry, physics, and engineering. Learn about food molecules and how chemical reactions can affect food texture and flavor. During each module of this course, chefs reveal the secrets behind some of their most famous culinary creations — often right in their own restaurants. Inspired by such cooking mastery, the Harvard team will then explain the science behind the recipe.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Calculus Applied! (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Calculus Applied! (edX)

Apply tools of single-variable calculus to create and analyze mathematical models used by real practitioners in social, life, and physical sciences. In this course, we go beyond the calculus textbook, working with practitioners in social, life and physical sciences to understand how calculus and mathematical models play a role in their work.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Pre-University Calculus (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Pre-University Calculus (edX)

Prepare for Introductory Calculus courses. Mathematics is the language of Science, Engineering and Technology. Calculus is an elementary Mathematical course in any Science and Engineering Bachelor. Pre-university Calculus will prepare you for the Introductory Calculus courses by revising four important mathematical subjects that are assumed to be mastered by beginning Bachelor students: functions, equations, differentiation and integration.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Backyard Meteorology: The Science of Weather (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Backyard Meteorology: The Science of Weather (edX)

Learn to forecast the weather just by looking out your window. The weather forecasts we see every day are based on an army of meteorological sensing networks and intensive computer modeling. Before the rise of these technologies, predictions were made by methods like discerning cloud formations and wind directions.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Bases Matemáticas: Derivadas (edX) EdX
Universitat Politècnica de València,UPValenciaX

Bases Matemáticas: Derivadas (edX)

Curso básico sobre funciones y sus derivadas, incluyendo sus aplicaciones a la resolución de problemas. Este curso se concibe como una revisión de los conceptos básicos del cálculo diferencial, necesarios para los primeros cursos de aquellos estudios universitarior en los que se imparte matemáticas.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Data Science: Capstone (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Data Science: Capstone (edX)

Show what you’ve learned from the Professional Certificate Program in Data Science. To become an expert data scientist you need practice and experience. By completing this capstone project you will get an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills in R data analysis that you have gained throughout the series. This final project will test your skills in data visualization, probability, inference and modeling, data wrangling, data organization, regression, and machine learning.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Algèbre Linéaire (Partie 2) (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

Algèbre Linéaire (Partie 2) (edX)

Un MOOC francophone d'algèbre linéaire accessible à tous, enseigné de manière rigoureuse et ne nécessitant aucun prérequis. Vous voulez apprendre l'algèbre linéaire, un précieux outil complémentaire à vos connaissances acquises durant vos études en économie, ingénierie, physique, ou statistique? Ou simplement pour la beauté de la matière? Alors ce cours est fait pour vous!

Self Paced
Self-Paced