topic: scientific inquiry essential question: what is scientific inquiry?

Lesson 1- Introduction

Topic: Scientific InquiryEssential Question: What is scientific inquiry?

modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at:www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.ppt Observation & Inference

2What is scientific inquiry?You see something happen, you ask why?You want to make something happen, you ask how?Science is a tool for answering why and how.The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate or answer questions

Scientific MethodProblem/QuestionObservation/ResearchFormulate a HypothesisExperimentCollect and Analyze ResultsConclusionCommunicate the ResultsSteps of the Scientific MethodProblem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.State the Problem/Question

Steps of the Scientific Method2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.ObservationsAny information collected with the 5 senses. Quantitative measureable or countable3 meters long4 marblesQualitative describable, not measureable red flowerssmells like fresh baked cookiesTastes bitter

InferenceObservations lead to conclusions or deductions based on the observations made.The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence is called an INFERENCE

Practice: Copy this on the top of ISN Observations:I hear people screamingI smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgersI see a lot of peopleInference = ?

Study this picture

Question 1Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?

What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?

What does the blue sign say?

Lets try it again!

How many cars were in the intersection?

Can you describe at least one of the cars driving through the intersection?

Are there any other potential witnesses?

What was this witness doing? Where was he?

Questions continuedWhat was this witness doing? Where was he?

Practice scenariosAll the students in the classroom came to school on Tuesday, but did not come on Monday (observation).

What are some possible inferences?How could we test those inferneces?

Research

Research shows that frogs from that species should look like thisResearch has also shown..There is a new factory that disposes its waste in the lake

You observe a dejected-looking (in low spirits; depressed; disheartened) student leaving the principles office.

What are some possible inferences?How could we test those inferneces?You observe that the sky at noon is darkening.


All middle school students are bringing lunch from home.


A former rock-and-roll band member has poor hearing.


You leave a movie theater and see that the street is wet.


The classroom lights are off.


A siren is heard going past the school.


Picture senarios What happened?

Who are they?

InferenceConclusions or deductions based on observations.The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.

Practice: Observations:I hear people screamingI smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgersI see a lot of peopleInference = ?

Directions1. For each of the following slides you will make 3 observations and create one inference

*No talking*

Look at these two sets of animal tracks.

List 3 OBSERVATIONS

Make an INFERENCE

Now what do you think?Make 3 OBSERVATIONSMake an INFERENCE

Now what do you think?Make 3 OBSERVATIONSMake an INFERENCEDo you have your own riddle or scenario to help us practice observation and inference?