SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS By Sabrina Fiorini & Alexandra Bosch

There are three dimensions of science that are important when understanding science process skills: First Dimension includes: Content of Science Basic concepts Our scientific knowledge

Second Dimension of Science Process of Doing Science: Ask questions Used in our daily lives Provides skills for the future Used in every area of life

Third Dimension of Science Science Attitudes: Curiosity Imaginative Enthusiastic about questions Enthusiastic about solving problems

Teaching Respect for Science Methods and Values: Seeking to answer questions Using evidence Realizing importance of rechecking data Understanding science theories can change Understanding science knowledge can change

Six Basic Process Skills: Observation Communication Classification Measurement Inference Prediction

Six Basic Process Skills Are integrated together Are also important individually Can be in logical order Observation and communication (Younger Students) Inference and Predication (Older Students)

Observation Fundamental science process skills Use of the five senses: 1.Seeing 2.Hearing 3.Touching 4.Smelling 5.Tasting

Classification Classify: Places Objects Ideals Events Generate: Lists Tables Charts

Measurement Such as: Length in meters Volume in Liters Mass in grams Force in Newton's Temperature in degrees Celsius

Communication May include: Oral Written Mathematical Organizing Ideas using:  Visual representations  Appropriate vocabulary  Mathematical equations

Inference Explanations or interpretations Follows an observation Differs from an observation Can be modified Are continuously being constructed

Predicting Making an educated guess Forecasting future observations Based on observation Based on inferences Correct predictions Provide confidence in the inference

Experiment Testing a Hypothesis Manipulation and control of independent variables. Effects on dependant variables Interpret and present results Integrate process skills Report

Inquiry Includes: Asking questions Formulating a procedure Gathering empirical data Drawing conclusions based on data Carries out scientific thinking

Examples of Science Process Activities Shaking a sealed can (Grades 1-2) Circuit game (Grade 3) Dice-in-a-box (Grade 4) Pattern experiments (Grades 5-8) Build your own lava lamp

Integrated Science Process Skills Formulating hypotheses Identifying variables Defining variables operationally Describing relationships between variables Designing investigation Experimenting

Integrated Science Process Skills Continued… Acquiring data Organizing data in tables and graphs Analyzing investigations and their data Understanding cause and effect relationships Formulating models

LAB SAFETY!!! Distinguish “safe” vs. “unsafe” behaviors Identify safety symbols Evaluate situations Identify the proper techniques Handel lab emergencies Use appropriate lab equipment

Bibliography Lancour, K. (n.d.). Training Guide. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from /sci_olympiad/pslsl_training_hammond.pdf Science Process Skills: Classifying. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from ills.htm Teaching The Science Process Skills. (2007, June 12). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from