1. Process Skills - Inferring
Definition
An inference is an explanation or a logical conclusion about what has happened after observations are made
Purpose
Scientists infer to help make sense of their environment

2. What happened? How do you know?

3. Process Skills - Inferring
Things to remember
*inferences can change when new data becomes available
*inferences explain what already happened, not what will happen
*inferences must be logical or make sense
*inferences are used to make predictions

4. Process Skills - Inferring
Example
Tom was working on his lab in class when the lights went out and the teacher told everyone to return to their seats. He inferred that

5. Process Skills - Inferring
Practice
Provide a reasonable inference for the following observations:
You hear fire trucks heading down your street on the 4th of July night.
Your lock was missing from your locker when you returned from electives.
The car belonging to the family across the street has not been in their driveway for the last week but you have seen them at home.