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How Scientists Work: Observing, Classifying, and Making Predictions

In this lesson, students learn about the six skills scientists use: observing, classifying, making models, inferring, predicting, and analyzing. They practice these skills through activities and explore the characteristics of scientific knowledge and the scientific method.

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How Scientists Work: Observing, Classifying, and Making Predictions

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  1. Chapter 1, lesson 1-How scientists work Do now: Answer the following question in your notebook • What are the six skills scientists use? • Observing • Classifying • Making models • Inferring • Predicting • Analyzing In your class notes, title the page, BASKET ACTIVITY

  2. Chapter 1, lesson 1-How scientists work What skills did we demonstrate with the items in the colored basket? Academic Language • Classifying-grouping together items that are similar in some way • Observing- using one or more of your senses to gather info • Quantitative- numbers or amounts • Qualitative-a description

  3. Chapter 1, lesson 1-How scientists work Look at the picture below. On a sheet of notebook paper, write down as many observations as possible

  4. Chapter 1, section 1- How scientists work Using the same picture, on the same paper, write down as many inferences as you can

  5. Chapter 1, section 1- How scientists work Using the same picture, on the same paper, predict moms reaction when she walks into the room

  6. Chapter 1, section 1- How scientists work Academic Language • Inferring-explaining or interpreting things you have observed, can be thought of as a “why” • Inferences are based on prior knowledge and observations • Ex. Why is the dog dirty and wet? • Predicting-a statement or about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence • Ex. What will moms reaction be? • Analyzing-evaluating observations and data to reach a conclusion about them • Making a model Why make models? -it’s a way to represent complex object or process that we cannot easily observe

  7. Chapter 1, section 1- How scientists work Based on the skills we have learned that scientists use…how can we define the word science? Academic Language Science- • a way of learning about the natural world • includes the knowledge we gain through exploration

  8. Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge and designing an experiment • What is the catalyst for a scientific investigation? • Skepticism-doubt, un acceptance of ideas (p.11) Scenario: My favorite snack is microwave popcorn. I hate the fact that when I poor it into the bowl, there are so many un-popped kernels. Lets come up with a test, using the scientific method. 1.) Question/Problem/Purpose-what are you trying to find out, why are you trying to answer this question? 2.) Research-find out about the topic/problem 3.) Hypothesis- A prediction, explanation or possible answer to scientific question; includes independent variable and dependent variable when written, MUST be testable

  9. Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge and designing an experiment 4.) Experiment-the test/procedure to test the hypothesis, includes the materials and procedure and data Controlled experiment-an experiment where only one variable is changed at a time Data-facts figures and other evidence collected during investigation (p.12) a.) Control Group- “normal” group, the independent variable is NOT included b.) Experimental Group-group that includes “the change”, the group includes the independent variable Variables: a.) independent- the thing that you change b.) dependent- the thing that you measure, it changes because of the independent variable c.) constant variables-the things that are the same in each group Repeated Trials- repetition of experiment—THIS IS A MUST Replication-attempt to repeat a scientists experiment by a different scientist or group of scientists **You procedure must be written clearly to allow for replication and to avoid bias Bias-error in the design of the experiment that affects the results

  10. Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge and designing an experiment 5.) Analysis-determining what your data means, this is where you include graphs, use those math skills that are covered in chapter 2 ***Make sure to use objective reasoning, not subjective reasoning Objective Reasoning-based on evidence Subjective reasoning- based on personal feelings or values, an opinion 6.) Conclusion- Does your data support your hypothesis **what is another question you now have-a good investigation should ALWAYS lead to further questions Drawing a conclusion is a way to develop a scientific explanation Scientific explanation-generalization that makes sense of observations by using logical reasoning

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