l2a process skills (1)k

8/20/2019 L2a Process Skills (1)k

1/15

SCIENCE FOR BEGINNERS

1

Lesson 2a


2/15

Objectives

By the successful completion of thischapter, you should be able to; Understand that scientists need to use many process skills to

understand and explain natural phenomena

Explain process skills used in science using suitable examples

Demonstrate the process skills

Differentiate between independent and dependent variables

Explain the need to control variables and how this is done in ascience investigation

Identify the type of graph that would best represent a set of data

collected in a science investigation. Interpret and make generalized conclusions on trends and

patterns represented by a graph

2


3/15

WHAT ARE PROCESS SKILLS?

3


4/15

What are Science Process Skills?

Science is more than a collection of facts.

Science Process Skills are “tools” scientist use to:

identify problems solve problems

Answer questions “known” about our world or use in

their work to “know” about the world

4


5/15

Types of Science Process Skills

Process skills maybe grouped into two types: Primary or basic process skills

Integrated Process skills

Primary Process skills are simpler and provide the basis for

learning the integrated (more complex) skills;

Integrated (more complex) skills: combines and builds on primary

process skills.

5


6/15

1. Observing

Using senses to determine the properties of

an object or event, their characteristics,

properties, differences, similarities and

changes

Must pay close attention to everything

around you and sometimes use instruments

to assist you with your observations.

Observations are recorded.

7


7/15

How many horses can you see


8/15

2. MEASUREMENT

• using both standard and nonstandardmeasures or estimates to describe thedimensions of an object or event

• comparing an unknown quantity witha known quantity

• Measurements are to be recorded inan orderly and systemic fashion withlabeled units of measure.


9/15

2.MEASUREMENT

A number is always associated with this.

Measurement can be for two types of quantities

Basic quantities

(Eg: mass, length, time, temperature)

Derived quantities

( Eg: volume, perimeter, weight, density, power etc)


10/15

MEASUREMENT TOOLS

Length – linear measurementbase unit : meter

Volume – capacitybase unit : liter

Temperature – hot/cold

base unit : Celsius

Weight –

massbase unit : gram

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/measurement/temp1.htmlhttp://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/measurement/mass1.htmlhttp://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/measurement/volume1.htmlhttp://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/measurement/length1.html


11/15

3. Classifying

Group information, objects or events

together according to their properties

(similarities and differences)

12


12/15

4. Communicating

Process of describing, recording,and reporting experimentalprocedures and results to others…

Process of using words or graphic symbols

to describe an action, object or event.Oral, written, or mathematical

Example: Describing the change inheight of a plant over time in writing

or through a graph.

13


13/15

5. Inferring

making an "educated guess" about an object orevent based on previously gathered data orinformation.

Example

14

….saying a person who used the

pencil made a lot of mistakes

because the eraser was well worn.


14/15

6. Predicting

The process of forming an idea of anexpected result—not a guess– but a belief ofwhat will occur based on present knowledge,observations, and inferences.

Forecasting a future occurrence based onpast observations or the extension of data

15

Example: Predicting the height of a

plant in two weeks time based on agraph of its growth during the previous

four weeks.


15/15

Who uses predictions?

Meteorologist –uses weather

trends of the past to predict

today’s weather.

Financial advisor – predicts

which investments will be

profitable.

Doctors – make predictions

of a patient’s future well

being/health.

l2a process skills (1)k

Documents