The Foundation of Science

Information We Know As Scientists Science is built on evidence that can be observed or inferred from the natural world. We gather evidence using our senses. Some evidence (data) is useful and some is not, we as scientists have to decide how important pieces of evidence are.

Important Terms Observation: Using your five senses to describe things Inference: The assumptions or predictions you make about things you observe

After you observe, you usually make an inference. Ex 1: Observation - The sky is getting dark at lunchtime. Inference -

Ex 2: Observation – You look out the window and the street is wet. Inference – Ex 3: Observation – Inference –

Should observations always be the same from person to person (objective)?? Are inferences always the same from person to person (subjective)??

The Mystery of the Footprints The next three slides show some fossil imprints that were found during an archaeological dig. We’re going to record some observations and then make some inferences about what may have happened millions of years ago….

What Happened? Using your observations and inferences, write a paragraph underneath your table on page 10 describing what you think happened to the creatures who made the fossil imprints.