A scientific theory is NOT just an educated guess. It's a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.

Here's the key difference:

* Scientific Law: Describes *how* something happens in the natural world. It's a statement that is universally accepted and always true under specific conditions. Examples: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the Law of Conservation of Energy.

* Scientific Theory: Explains *why* something happens. It's a well-supported explanation that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed through experiments and observations. Examples: Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, the Big Bang Theory.

Think of it this way:

* Law: A recipe for a cake. It tells you what ingredients and steps to take to make a cake, but it doesn't explain *why* the cake rises.

* Theory: An explanation of the science behind cake rising. It explains how chemical reactions within the batter, influenced by heat, produce carbon dioxide bubbles that make the cake rise.

Important Note: Scientific theories are not proven facts. They are the best explanations we have based on current evidence, but they can always be modified or even replaced with better explanations as new evidence emerges.