Using a recent event, this example illustrates some useful attributes of the nature of science and its approach to questions.

Even the most casual observers note the changes in the phase of the Moon as it goes from crescent to half to full and back again with a "monthly" cycle. (See Glenn Simonelli's PUMAS submission "Modeling the motions of the Earth, Sun and Moon" [PUMAS Example 03_10_04_1].) Their observations, or what is "common knowledge", lead them to believe the Moon does loops around the Earth. But is this true?

It's important to check the results from an experiment. Does the result make sense? Does it follow from other facts that are known? From the standpoint of teaching High School science, checking if one's results are sensible adds an additional layer of safety that the results are correct. (From the standpoint of advancements in Science, a basic research tenet is that results must be repeatable and not just a fluke.