THINKING LIKE A SCIENTIST

Scientists use five skills that make them successful!

SKILL#1 OBSERVING:

CAN YOU NAME ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE SENSES?

To use one or more of your five senses to gather information.

SIGHT

HEARING

TOUCHSMELL

TASTE

WHAT ARE THE TWO TYPES OF OBSERVATIONS?

QUALITATIVE

QUANTITATIVE

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Qualitative Data• Overview: Deals with

descriptions. • Data can be observed but

not measured. • Colors, textures, smells,

tastes, appearance, sound, etc.

• Qualitative → Quality

Quantitative Data• Overview: Deals with

numbers. • Data which can be

measured. • Length, height, area,

volume, weight, speed, time, temperature, humidity, sound levels, cost, members, ages, etc.

• Quantitative → Quantity

Let’s define qualitative observation:

Information gathered that describes colors, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, sound etc. It does not describe data that is measured.

EXAMPLE #1

Oil Painting• Qualitative data:

• Oil Painting• Quantitative data:• picture is 10" by 14" • with frame 14" by 18" • weighs 8.5 pounds • surface area of painting

is 140 sq. in. • cost $300

*blue/green color, gold frame *smells old and musty *texture feels rough and bumpy*scene of the country

EXAMPLE #2

Latte• Qualitative data:

• Latte• Quantitative data:• 12 ounces of latte • serving temperature

150º F. • serving cup 7 inches in

height • cost $4.95

*robust aroma *frothy appearance * strong taste *burgundy cup *steaming*brown color liquid*hard cup

EXAMPLE #36TH GRADE CLASS• QUALITATIVE:

*Wearing many colors, including blue, green, purple, red, white, and yellow.*They all have shoes on.*Many are holding art supplies.*There are boys and girls.*They are all smiling.

Now let’s define quantitative observation:

Information gathered that describes numbers. This data must be measured using tools.

EXAMPLE #1

Oil Painting• Quantitative data:

• Oil Painting• Quantitative data:• picture is 10" by 14" • with frame 14" by 18" • weighs 8.5 pounds • surface area of painting

is 140 sq. in. • cost $300

*3x5 ft. area*Weighs 5 lbs.*1 in. thick

EXAMPLE #2

Latte• Quantitative data:

• Latte• Quantitative data:• 12 ounces of latte • serving temperature

150º F. • serving cup 7 inches in

height • cost $4.95

*2 cups*10 FL. Oz. of coffee in tan cup* 7 beans spilled*2 Tbsp. Whip cream

EXAMPLE #36TH GRADE CLASS• QUANTITATIVE:

*1 person wearing a hat*Each student is wearing 2 shoes*7 are holding art supplies*There are 4 boys and 3 girls*7 students are smiling

SKILL #2 INFERENCE

An explanation of the things that you observe. These are not always facts!

Scenario #1:

Questions: 1. What are some OBSERVATIONS you can

make about Chloe that you are 100% confident about? 2. What do you INFER she is doing?

She was chasing a remote control helicopter!!

But she really is a loving dog!!

Scenario #2:Mom gave Matt and Josh lunch money and walked them to the bus. When the bus came they got on with all the other children and waved goodbye to Mom.

Questions: 1. What OBSERVATIONS can you make

about the story you are 100% confident about?2. Where do you INFER the kids are going?

Scenario #3:

Questions: 1. What OBSERVATIONS can you make about this boy that you are 100% confident about?2. Make an INFERENCE about why he has that expression.

Insert sock puppet video link

Skill # 3 CLASSIFICATION:

The act of grouping things together based on what they share in common.

Skill #4: PREDICTION

To forecast what will happen next based on past experience or evidence.

SKILL #5 MAKING MODELS

MAKING MODELS INVOLVES CREATING REPRESENTATIONS OF COMPLEX OBJECTS OR PROCESSES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE..

GLOBES AND MAPS

SETS TO RECREATE A

SCENE

SMALL REPLICAS

MOST MODERN IS USING A COMPUTER TO MAKE A SIMULATION