1. Scientific Method Inquiry Skills

2. Nature of Science Science is about problem solving Scientists are curious – They ask questions about their surroundings and natural processes. Scientists are creative – They think of solutions to their questions Scientists are skeptical – They do not accept explanations without logical reasons or experiments

3. Nature of Science All Scientists uses a basic set of skills

4. Observation Observing is using one or more of your senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—to gather information about the world. Information gathered from observations is called evidence or data

5. Observations Observations must be objective and accurate – Accurate—must be correct – Objective—avoids opinions and point of view Example 1: Sixteen students were present for roll call, and five other students arrived afterward. (accurate and objective) Example 2:Half the class was late. (not accurate) Example 3: The friendliest people were there first. (not objective)

6. Types of Observations Qualitative—observations involving the senses (sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell): Example: Color, sour tasting, bright, soft Quantitative observations—involve numbers, Example: a car weighs 2 tons, Three students turned in homework

7. Types of Observations Example 4: The classroom walls are yellow. (qualitative) Example 5: The classroom floor is shiny. (qualitative) Example 6: There are 21 students in the room. (quantitative) Example 7: The chalkboard is 1 meter high and 2 meters wide. (quantitative)

8. List 3 qualitative observations on your paper 1.The northern section of road is higher than the road in the south. 2.Northernmost house is standing 3.Southernmost house has collapsed

9. List three quantitative observations on your paper 1.13 trees are still standing 2.One tree is leaning 3.One tree has completely fallen over

10. INFERENCE An inference is an explanation of an observation. All inferences must reasonably explain the observation using the facts that are known Inferences can change as facts change

11. For example, suppose you are on a photo safari in Africa. In a region bordering some small farms, you see some domestic cattle sharing space with some wild antelope.

12. Observation: The cattle and the antelope are standing quietly together. Inference: The cattle and antelope do not attack each other. (reasonable) Observation: Some of the cattle are eating grass. Inference: The grass is food for the cattle and antelope. (reasonable)