Scientific Observations and Inferences

Observations Any information collected with the senses. QUANTITATIVE The skill of describing scientific events Measureable or Countable 3 meters long 4 marbles 50 kilograms 35 degrees Celsius QUALITATIVE Describable, Not Measureable red flowers smells like fresh baked cookies Tastes bitter

Inference Conclusions or deductions based on observations. The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.

Learning Goal Students will be able to make correct scientific observations and scientific inferences .

Let’s Practice Close your eyes… Observations: I hear people screaming I taste cotton candy I smell popcorn, and hamburgers I see a lot of people I feel grass under my feet Inference = ?

Fill in the blanks with one of the following words: OBSERVATIONS Fill in the blanks with one of the following words: OBSERVATIONS INFERENCE One of the most important skills in science is the use of our five senses, to make ____________________. Most of the time we think of observing as something we do with our eyes; when we see something, we observe it. However, all five of our senses can be used to make observations: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. A good scientist is observant and notices things in the world. He or she notices what’s going on in the world and becomes curious about what’s happening.   After we make observations, our brain makes logical conclusions about our observations called ____________________.

Mystery Footprints

GLUE PAGE INTO SCIENCE NOTEBOOK

MYSTERY FOOTPRINTS ACTIVITY   SLIDE 1 SLIDE 2 SLIDE 3 Observation 1 Observation 2 Observation 3 Inference

Look at these two sets of animal tracks. List 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Lesson Sources Sources of Graphics Mystery Footprints PowerPoint Lesson modified by Nancy Magnuson2011 from original post by: Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com Activity Worksheets Adapted from: http://mysciencelessons.wordpress.com/tag/observation/ Sources of Graphics Detective: http://questgarden.com/64/62/3/080417194222/task.htm Jelly Beans: http://www.diamonddusted.com/?p=2069 Footprints: http://www.clker.com/clipart-1739.html