Puzzle Piece Observation Lab  Without looking, choose a puzzle piece out of the cup on your table  Observe the puzzle piece and record your observations on your paper. Describe the color, shape, size, or anything else you think may be important  Put your piece back into the cup and shake it up

Puzzle Piece Observation Lab  Try to find your piece again, based on the observations that you made  If you can’t find it, start over with another piece  Try to find another student’s piece, based on the observations they recorded

Discussion Questions  What were different ways found to distinguish one puzzle piece from another?  What proved to be the most helpful information in finding a specific puzzle piece?  What percentage of your class could locate their own puzzle piece?  What percentage of your class could locate someone else’s puzzle piece based on the other person’s data?

Discussion Questions  Explain the difference in percentages between questions 3 and 4.  What steps could be taken to improve both percentages?  How important were your observations and measurements notes in locating the puzzle piece? If your memory was a better guide, what does that say about your notes?

Observations vs. Inferences  People often confuse observations with inferences. Observations are collected on the scene, using your senses. Inferences are ideas or conclusions based on what you observe or already know. Are the following statements observations or inferences?

Observations vs. Inferences  The puzzle piece is an easy piece to place in the puzzle.  The puzzle piece is shiny.  The puzzle piece is uniformly colored.  The puzzle piece has a part that sticks out and a part that goes in on the opposite side.  The puzzle piece is 14mm long.  The puzzle piece is part of a flower.  The puzzle piece goes on the border.