Nature of Science Laboratory Instruments Science Tools Nature of Science Laboratory Instruments

SCIENCE TOOLS To become a successful scientists, we must be able to identify and use scientific instruments or tools. These tools are for collecting data, taking measurements, and recording observations. Scientists use a variety of tools to do investigations.

Computer

Computer An electronic tool that performs tasks by processing and storing information.

Calculators

Calculators An electronic device for solving mathematics problems

Hand Lens

Hand Lens A tool that magnifies objects or makes objects look larger than they are.

Microscope

Microscope A tool that magnifies at a much higher power than a hand lens. It magnifies smaller objects or makes smaller objects larger.

Telescope

Telescope A tool used to see objects in the sky. It magnifies or makes objects in the sky larger.

Meter Stick

Meter Stick A meter tool that is used to measure distance and the length of objects. It tells how long an object is. In science, we use the metric system for measuring.

Thermometer

Thermometer A tool used to measure temperature. It measures the temperature of air and most liquids. The Greek prefix “therm” means “heat”.

Compass

Compass A tool for telling directions. It is used to find Earth’s magnetic north pole.

Stopwatch

Stopwatch A tool used to measure time.

Balance

Balance A tool used to measure the mass of an object. A balance tells the amount of matter an object contains.

Magnet

Magnet A magnet attracts and repels substances. It is attracted or pulled to items with iron, nickel, or cobalt.

Collecting Net

Collecting Net A tool used to gather animal samples or specimens such as butterflies.

Safety Goggles

Safety Goggles Eyewear that protects the eyes during a science experiment or investigation from hazardous or dangerous materials.

Test Tube

Test Tube A test tube is smaller than a beaker. It is open at one end and closed at the other. It is cylindrical in shape.

Beaker

Beaker An open cylindrical container with a pouring lip. It measures volume or the amount that is being held.

Graduated Cylinder

Graduated Cylinder Smaller than a beaker. It is open at one end and closed at the other. It is cylindrical in shape. Used to measure the volume of substances.

Petri Dish

Petri Dish A container used for samples or specimens. A tool to culture microorganisms.

Hot Plate

A tool used to heat objects. Hot Plate A tool used to heat objects.

Science Process Skills

Science Process Skills are tools scientist use to: identify problems solve problems And answer questions “known” about our world

OBSERVING

OBSERVING Use your senses to determine the properties of an object or event. You must pay close attention to everything around you and sometimes use instruments to assist you with your observations.

OBSERVING USE ONE OR MORE OF YOUR 5 SENSES SMELLING SEEING HEARING TASTING TOUCHING

COMPARING

COMPARING Identify common and distinguishing characteristics of objects or events.

COMPARING HARD Vs SOFT SMOOTH Vs ROUGH DULL Vs SHINNY

CLASSIFY / ORDERING

CLASSIFY / ORDERING Group information, objects or events together according to their properties.

CLASSIFY / ORDERING BLUE BUTTONS WITH TWO HOLES BROWN BUTTONS WITH 1 HOLE PAIRS OF WHITE SHOES WITH LACES PAIRS OF WHITE SHOES WITH NO LACES.

RECOGNIZING TIME / SPACE RELATIONSHIPS

RECOGNIZING TIME / SPACE RELATIONSHIPS Estimate and / or describe how moving and / or nonmoving objects are related to one another during or based upon a specific event.

MEASURING

MEASURING You use the skill of estimation to describe and record appropriate units of measurement (quantitative measurement) and make relationships between time and space.

COLLECTING, RECORDING, AND INTERPRETING DATA

COLLECTING, RECORDING, AND INTERPRETING DATA Gather and organize data in order to make it understandable (sense of), meaningful, and to find patterns that lead to inferences, predictions, and hypothesis.

COMMUNICATING

COMMUNICATING Use written and spoken words, graphs, tables, diagrams, and technology presentations to share and explain ideas and information.

INFERRING

INFERRING Form a conclusion based upon observations and prior knowledge that you think explains your observations and data. Making inferences may include cause and effect relationships.

OBSERVATION OR INFERENCE? THE LADY HAS HER UMBRELLA UP. IT MUST BE RAINING OUTSIDE.

PREDICTING

PREDICTING You state the anticipated outcomes of new or changed situations using your previous / past/ prior knowledge, experiences, and observations.

PREDICTING I believe that the egg will float in salt water and sink in fresh water.

HYPOTHESIS

HYPOTHESIS Form and make suggested solutions to a problem; from observations or events. You will state in writing or verbally your solution or explanation as the expected outcome of an experiment.

IDENTIFYING AND CONTROLLING VARIABLES

IDENTIFYING AND CONTROLLING VARIABLES Be very specific in identifying the factors and / or control the factors that might be expected to affect the outcome of an experiment. You will select the variables to be manipulated and / or held constant.

IDENTIFYING AND CONTROLLING VARIABLES We want to determine if the rate of plant growth in salt water and fresh water will be different. The independent variable is the type of water. The dependent variable is the rate of plant growth. The constants are the same type of plants, the same amount of water and sunlight, in the same type and amount of soil .

EXPERIMENTATION

EXPERIMENTATION Write the step by step procedures (instructions). These procedures will assist in determining (decide) if your tested hypothesis is supported or not supported by the results of your manipulation of materials.

MAKING AND USING MODELS

MAKING AND USING MODELS You are developing a copy representing the “real world” application you’re studying. This will allow you to understand how systems work and how they are constructed. Models can be a constructed replication (3-dimensional copy), a painting, a drawing, a diagram or even an equation.

ANALYSE

ANALYSE Study the results / data of your experiment or investigation carefully and try to find a pattern or relationship.