Science Skills Part 1-Observations

I Can… I can take detailed observations using the 5 senses. I can describe the difference between a quantitative observation and a qualitative observation.

Science Skill: OBSERVING Observing means using one or more of your senses to gather information. Your senses include: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. In science, we never taste things unless we know EXACTLY what it is and whether it is safe. Observations can be either qualitative or quantitative.

QUALitative Observations Qualitative observations give a quality or property of the thing being observed. Usually adjectives like red, white, big, tall, girl, boy, quiet, or loud are qualitative. Example: He is wearing a white jersey with a red #6 on the front, center. He has his hand in the air in the shape of a fist. QUALitative Observations= QUALities

QuaNtitative Observations Quantitative data, describes an object numerically Quantitative observations are things you actually measure. Height, weight, number, etc... are all quantitative. Example: He is 6ft 3in tall. He weighs 225 lbs. QuaNtitative Observations = Numbers

Let’s Practice QUALitative QuaNtitative The insect is light green The insect is shaped like a folded leaf It has long, spindly legs QuaNtitative The insect is 3 inches long. It has 6 legs.

Adopt-a-Lime Activity On the right hand side of your notebooks, create the following chart. Then, fill in the chart with information about your lime. Quantitative Qualitative 1. 2. 3. 4.

Science Skills Part 2-Observations vs. Inferences

Science Skills continued I Can… I can describe the difference between an observation, inference, and prediction.

Science Skills: Inferences When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are inferring or making an inference. Inferences are not always correct!! Observations are always facts---they must be true and correct. Inferences are not always true---they are educated guesses.

Science Skills: Predicting Predicting means making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence. Predictions are a type of inference about the future.

CSI: Frederick Douglass When Ms. B dismisses you to the crime scene, observe the scene carefully. When you return to your seat, write a crime scene report that clearly describes your analysis of the scene. You should base your report on at least 6 observations. Underline all observations and put a circle around(highlight) all inferences. Write your notes/observations in your notebook on the right hand side but turn this in on a separate sheet of paper for hw. CSI: Frederick Douglass

Science Skills: Making Models Making Models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes. (Careful: some information may be missing from a model)

Science Skills: Classifying Classifying is the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way. Classifying things helps you stay organized so you can easily find and use them later

Scientific Method A Cycle of Inquiry

I Can… I can describe the steps of the scientific method I can identify a testable question.

What is the scientific method? A set of steps used to answer a question

? THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. Ask a Question 6. Communicate your Results Ah Ha!! THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 2. Research, then Formulate a Hypothesis 5. Draw Conclusions 4. Analyze your Results/Data 3. Design and Conduct an Experiment

Remembering the Steps… Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate Think: “Quickly Hand Everyone Diet Coke Cans!”

Testable Questions This is the question you want to answer in your experiment. Should be testable (able to be observed)

How much does the human soul weigh? BAD SCIENCE…. How much does the human soul weigh? “The human soul weighs 1/3,000th of an ounce!”

Q: What happens to a gummy bear when it is left overnight in water? Ask a Question ? Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate Q: What happens to a gummy bear when it is left overnight in water?

Hypothesis Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate What do you think will happen to the gummy bear when left in water overnight? H: If the gummy bear is left in water overnight, it will disintegrate. + =

Experiment What are the steps we will take to test our hypothesis? Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate What are the steps we will take to test our hypothesis?

What did our results/data tell us? Analyze your Data Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate What did our results/data tell us?

Draw a Conclusion According to our results, should we reject or accept our hypotheses? What did you conclude about gummy bears and water from your experiment? Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate

Communicate Results Share your results with others in a formal lab report! Question Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Communicate

Writing Hypotheses

I CAN I Can: define hypothesis and write my own hypotheses in the correct format.

Hypothesis A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. Remember it is a type of inference, a prediction, about what will happen in your experiment. + =

+ = Writing an Hypothesis Your hypothesis should be something that you can actually test, what's called a testable hypothesis. In other words, you need to be able to measure both "what you do" and "what will happen." + =

Writing a Hypothesis IF _____(I do this) _____, In our class, a hypothesis is written like this: IF _____(I do this) _____, THEN _____(this)_____ (will happen).

Example IF I cut holes in a full bucket, THEN water will spill out.

Practicing Writing Hypotheses The 3 Hole Bottle Practicing Writing Hypotheses

3 Kinds of Variables Independent Variable: something that is changed by the scientist What is tested What is manipulated

3 Kinds of Variables Dependent Variable: something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable What is observed What is measured What responds The data collected during the investigation

3 Kinds of Variables Controlled Variable: a variable that is not changed Also called constants Allow for a “fair test”

For Example: Does age affect the time it takes a person to complete a puzzle?

Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.

Identify the variables in this investigation.

What was the independent variable? Ages of the students Different ages were tested by the scientist AGE: 15 AGE: 16 AGE: 19 AGE: 15 AGE: 20 AGE: 18 AGE: 20 AGE: 18 AGE: 21 AGE: 18

What was the dependent variable? The time it took to put the puzzle together The time was observed and measured by the scientist

What was a controlled variable? Same puzzle All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.

One more example:

The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will boil.

Independent variable – temperature of water Dependent variable – time to cook an egg Controlled variable – type of egg

Last one:

The temperature of water was measured at different depths of a pond.

Independent variable – depth of the water Dependent variable – temperature Controlled variable – thermometer

Designing Experiments **Remember: The more we practice, the more dendrites we grow.

The greater the amount of soap in a soap and water mixture, the bigger a soap bubble can be blown. Design an investigation to test this hypothesis. Identify the variables What exactly will be changed? How will it be changed? What exactly will be measured? How will it be measured?