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Understanding Science 101
A primer on the nature and process of science.

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What is science? | How science works
Why science matters | Science toolkit
For teachers
Our section of teaching resources on the nature and process of science.

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Resource library
A browsable archive of articles, tutorials, interactive features and more.

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How Science Works flowchart

Science in Action

See more stories...

Ancient bones, modern problems: One scientist's trash is another scientist's data
Learn how scientists reuse and upcycle their data, while following graduate student Maria Viteri as she investigates ancient and modern small mammal communities.
The structure of DNA: Cooperation and competition
Knowing the structure of DNA has helped push biology into new realms. Find out how the human side of science played out in this remarkable discovery.

Try out the new How Science Works Web Interactive!

Chart your own course through the process of science with our interactive journaling tool.

HHMI How Science Works App


Science talk
Rachel Carson
"The wind, the sea, and the moving tide are what they are. If there is wonder and beauty and majesty in them, science will discover these qualities."
— Marine biologist Rachel Carson

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Understanding Science was developed by the University of California Museum of Paleontology in collaboration with its Advisory Boards.

National Science Foundation
Funded by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EAR-0624436. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

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