What is 8th Grade Science Skills Scientist Use Observing Inferring Predicting Force & Motion Astronomy Evolution & Genetic Mutattions Human Biodiversity Energy & Waves

Observation & Inference

Observations Any information collected with the senses. Quantitative – 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 Heard a loud “pop”

Observation In the space below, record 5 observations about your science classroom. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Inference Conclusions or deductions based on observations. The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence. Practice: Observations: I hear people screaming I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers I see a lot of people Inference = ?

List 3 inferences about the classroom 1. 2. 3.

Examples Observations That plant is extremely wilted. The car stopped running The Dodgers are leading their division Inferences That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water. The car stooped running because it was out of gas. The Dodgers are leading their division because they are the best team in baseball.

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

Inference and Observation Activity

Confer with your table partners if you wish Confer with your table partners if you wish. You will need to write the following for each slide: ____________________________________ Write down three observations- things that you can actually see that you believe are very important to the picture you are viewing. Write down three inferences- things that you suppose are likely to happen based on what you see in the picture.