Observation & Inference modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at: www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.ppt

Observations Any information collected with the senses. The skill of describing scientific events 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

List 2 observations about this picture in your notes Just focus on what you see, not what you think it means

Inference Inference = ? An explanation of observations. 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 = ?

Make 2 inferences based on your observations and write them in your notebook

Make 2 more OBSERVATIONS in your notebook

Make 2 inferences based on your observations in your notebook

What is the difference between an Observation and an Inference? Explain it in your notebook in 2-3 sentences.

Prediction An informed idea of what will happen next, based on observations and inferences. What do you think will happen next? Draw your prediction in your notebook! What observations support your prediction?

How does this compare with your prediction?

Observation & Inference modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at: www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.ppt

Observations Any information collected with the senses. The skill of describing scientific events 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

Make 3 OBSERVATIONS about this picture in your notes. Just focus on what you see, not what you think it means.

Inference Inference = ? An explanation of observations. 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 = ?

Make 3 inferences based on your observations in your notebook Make 3 inferences based on your observations in your notebook. Be prepared to explain your thinking!

What is the difference between an Observation and an Inference? Explain it in your notebook in 2-3 sentences.

Prediction An informed idea of what will happen next, based on observations and inferences. What do you think will happen next? Draw your prediction in your notebook! What observations support your prediction? Explain your evidence in your notebook!

How does this compare with your prediction? Write it in your notebook.

Source of graphic: http://bob.nap.edu/html/evolution98/evol6-e.html