Thinking Scientifically:Skills and Attitude

Objective:

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:…identify and make use of skills

commonly used with scientific investigation.…identify and practice the thought

processes behind scientific thinking and communication.

…determine the criteria for what makes something scientific.

Vocabulary:

Terms to know by the end of the unit:

• Observing• Quantitative• Qualitative• Inferring• Predicting• Classifying• Model making• Communicating• Objectivity

• Honesty• Curiosity• Creativity• Skepticism• Open-mindedness• Natural• Testable• Reproducible• Falsifiable

Scientific Skills•Observing• Inferring•Predicting•Classifying•Making models•Communicating

Image obtained from: http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/imsd-p/images/student_at_microscope.jpg

Observing

•Using the five senses to gather information•Direct observation

• Indirect observation

• Instruments: aid in making observations

Image obtained from: https://www.naturebridge.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_560/public/FIELD_PRWI_Graham-Park-Middle-School_day-3_20120420_095.jpg?itok=gmAweQLV

Observing

Quantitative Observation

•Quantities•Amount•How much/how many

•Numbers, values•More objective

Qualitative Observation

•Qualities•Traits/Characteristics• ie: sharp, soft, blue, etc.

•Descriptions, words

•More subjective

Checkpoint: Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Determine whether the following observation is quantitative or qualitative:

The top of this desk looks smooth.

There are three grooves on the sides of the desk.

Several bits of paint are missing on the underside.

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Checkpoint: Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Determine whether the following observation is quantitative or qualitative:

The top of this desk looks smooth.

There are three grooves on the sides of the desk.

Several bits of paint are missing on the underside.

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Checkpoint: Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Determine whether the following observation is quantitative or qualitative:

The top of this desk looks smooth.

There are three grooves on the sides of the desk.

Several bits of paint are missing on the underside.

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Checkpoint: Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Determine whether the following observation is quantitative or qualitative:

The top of this desk looks smooth.

There are three grooves on the sides of the desk.

Several bits of paint are missing on the underside.

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Inferring•Processing past or current information•Present: what is happening?

•Past: what has happened?

•Explain and interpret observations

•Observations vs. Inferences•Helpful tip: can you explain or support your statement with evidence?

Image obtained from: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/nanomedicine/resources/QuestionMark.jpg

Checkpoint: Observing vs. Inferring

Determine whether the following statement is an observation or an inference:

The time on the clock reads 11:08 AM.

It is time to go to lunch.

I am hungry.

Observation

Observation

Observation

Inference

Inference

Inference

Checkpoint: Observing vs. Inferring

Determine whether the following statement is an observation or an inference:

The time on the clock reads 11:08 AM.

It is time to go to lunch.

I am hungry.

Observation

Observation

Observation

Inference

Inference

Inference

Checkpoint: Observing vs. Inferring

Determine whether the following statement is an observation or an inference:

The time on the clock reads 11:08 AM.

It is time to go to lunch.

I am hungry.

Observation

Observation

Observation

Inference

Inference

Inference

Checkpoint: Observing vs. Inferring

Determine whether the following statement is an observation or an inference:

The time on the clock reads 11:08 AM.

It is time to go to lunch.

I am hungry.

Observation

Observation

Observation

Inference

Inference

Inference

Predicting

•Forecasting what will happen•based on previous experience or evidence

• Inferences vs. Predictions•Helpful tip: you need inferences in order to make predictions!

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Classifying

•Grouping objects or information together that are alike•Organization•Easier to remember

Image obtained from: http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/organized-Sanibel-

seashells.jpg

Making Models

•Representations of complex objects and processes

•Help scientists make accurate predictions

•Simplifies complex objects, processes•Not how objects, processes really are

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Communicating

•Sharing ideas and information with others•Writing•Reading•Speaking•Listening•Making Models

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As You Come In…

Write a few sentences describing what you imagine scientists to be like. Feel free to use people you know who are scientists, be they real or fictitious (ie: on TV or in a book)

Image obtained from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Mad_scientist.svg/1094px-Mad_scientist.svg.png

Scientific Attitudes

•Objectivity•Honesty•Curiosity•Creativity•Open-mindedness•Skepticism

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Objectivity

•Free from personal bias, feelings, opinions

•Quantitative observations tend to be more objective

Image obtained from: http://www.etbu.edu/Library/libguidepics/objectivity.jpg

Honesty

•Be truthful when results disagree with predictions

Image obtained from: http://howardmestas.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/honest-abe4.jpg

Curiosity

•Be willing to explore a question or concept

Image obtained from: http://www.benreed.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/curiousgeorge.jpg

Creativity

•Think “outside the box”

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Open-Mindedness

•Accepting of new or different ideas

•Don’t judge or jump to conclusions

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Skepticism

•An attitude of doubt•Be cautious, critical of new information•Ask questions•Ask for details•Look at evidence/data

•Do it yourself!

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Scientific Criteria•Natural

• Has to do with the natural world

•Testable• Can create an experiment to test it

•Reproducible• Repeating experiments the same way should give the same results

•Falsifiable• Must be able to be disproven

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