Think like a scientists

What skills are needed to think like a scientist?

• Observing- using one or more of your senses with or without instruments to gather information (what are the two types?)

• Inferring- the process of coming up with an explanation based on observations and prior knowledge (**It’s an inference if you can say ‘I reckon’ …)– Snow on the Ground…– Grass without tips…

A. Quantitative B. Qualitative

It’s winter!Someone cut the grass

What skills are needed to think like a scientist?

• Predicting- Making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence-I skipped school, I predict that…

• Classifying- Grouping objects together based on common properties or similar characteristics. – Example…

I will be grounded this weekend

Your music collectionFood at the grocery store

Bonus

-What’s the difference between an inference and a prediction?

One is an explanation for something that is happening now. (Inference)One is a prediction of what will happen in the future. (Prediction) * Both are based on prior knowledge

Vocabulary ContinuedInference: an educated interpretation of one or more observations using your prior knowledge

Observation: a plane is making lines in the sky

Inference: I reckon a plane left those lines in the sky* Based on prior knowledge

Observation Inference• That plant is extremely

wilted.

• The car stopped running

• The Yankees are leading their division

• That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water.

• The car stooped running because it was out of gas.

• The Yankees are leading their division because they are playing well right now.

Inferences Continued

Inference: an educated interpretation of one or more observations using your prior knowledge (**It’s an inference if you can say ‘I reckon’ …).

LET’S TALK ABOUT TIRE TRACKS…

You Observe:

You Infer:

OBSERVATIONOR

INFERENCE

Let’s Practice…. Look at the picture & decide if the statement is an

The narrow windows were used as rifle slits.

Inferenc

e

Men were required to wear jackets and women were required to wear dresses

Inferenc

e

There is a picket fence.

Observa

tion

There are eight people in the photograph.

Observa

tion

The garden provided food for the families living on Alcatraz.

Inferenc

e

Observing Footprints From the Past

Making Observations and Inferences