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Topic: Scientific Inquiry. Essential Question: What is scientific inquiry?. Observation & Inference. modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at: www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/ Observation _ Inference _8th.ppt. What is scientific inquiry?.
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Topic: Scientific Inquiry Essential Question: What is scientific inquiry?
Observation & Inference modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at:www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.ppt
What is scientific inquiry? • You see something happen, you ask why? • You want to make something happen, you ask how? • Science is a tool for answering why and how.
The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate or answer questions
Scientific Method Problem/Question Observation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results
Steps of the Scientific Method • Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.
Steps of the Scientific Method 2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.
Observations Any information collected with the 5 senses. Quantitative – measureable or countable 3 meters long 4 marbles Qualitative– describable, not measureable red flowers smells like fresh baked cookies Tastes bitter
Inference Observations lead to conclusions or deductions based on the observations made. The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence is called an INFERENCE Practice: Copy this on the top of ISN Observations: I hear people screaming I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers I see a lot of people Inference = ?
Question 1 • Are there cars parked on the sides of the road? • What color is the pickup truck driving in the road? • What does the blue sign say?
How many cars were in the intersection? • Can you describe at least one of the cars driving through the intersection? • Are there any other potential witnesses? • What was this witness doing? Where was he?
Questions continued • What was this witness doing? Where was he?
Practice scenarios… • All the students in the classroom came to school on Tuesday, but did not come on Monday (observation). • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
Research Research shows that frogs from that species should look like this
Research has also shown….. There is a new factory that disposes it’s waste in the lake
You observe a dejected-looking (in low spirits; depressed; disheartened) student leaving the principle’s office. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
You observe that the sky at noon is darkening. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
All middle school students are bringing lunch from home. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
A former rock-and-roll band member has poor hearing. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
You leave a movie theater and see that the street is wet. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
The classroom lights are off. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
A siren is heard going past the school. • What are some possible inferences? • How could we test those inferneces?
Inference Conclusions or deductions based on observations. The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence. Practice: Observations: I hear people screaming I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers I see a lot of people Inference = ?
Directions • 1. For each of the following slides you will make 3 observations and create one inference • *No talking*
Look at these two sets of animal tracks. List 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE
Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE
Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE
Do you have your own riddle or scenario to help us practice observation and inference?