What skills do

scientists use?

Sep 2013 Ch 1 Lesson 2

Science

Skills

Scientists use process skills to learn about objects, places, or events.

Observation is a process skill.

Observe = When you use your five senses to find out about something.

Your senses include

sight hearing

touch taste

smell

Scientists often use tools to make observations.A satellite is a tool that helps scientists observe Earth`s weather.

Data from satellites are often displayed on weather maps.

Hurricanes are strong storms.

Weather map

Estimate and Measur

e

Scientists sometimes estimate when they make observations.

Estimate to make a careful guess.A scientist might feel the wind pushing hard against his body.

He might estimate that the wind is blowing about 70 or 80 kilometers per hour.

To find the exact wind speed, the scientist would make a measurement.

A measurement = a number that tells how much or how many.

Scientists often use tools to measure.

Anemometer is a tool that measure the speed of the wind.

Infer and

Predict

Some data and observations are facts. For example,the statement

‘’The wave crashed into the pier’’ fact

you can use facts to infer, or draw a conclusion.

Scientists infer what they think is happening based on: 1 - what they observe (or) 2 - prior knowledge.

For example,

A scientist observing the waves in the picture might infer that a hurricane is coming on shore.

Observations also can help you to predict.Predict = tell what you think will happen in the future.

For example,

A scientist might predict that the waves will get bigger as the hurricane gets closer to shore.

Interpret and

Explain Data

Scientists work together to interpret their data and form scientific explanations. : observations, inferences, prior knowledge, measurements, and

data from an investigation .

A good explanation uses:

Scientists are trying to develop the ability to forecast when hurricanes will form.

They use:

observations weather data their knowledge of past storms to predict where hurricanes will strike and how strong they will be.

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