What is Science?

What is Science?

Science is a way of learning about

the natural world.

Science is a body of knowledge.

Science is a method of discovery

and learning.

The study of science teaches you

to look carefully at the world

around you.

What are the processes of

science? Observing

Inferring

Predicting

Classifying

Making models

Evaluating

Conducting Scientific Investigations

Observing

Observing means using one or more of your senses

to gather information

Noting the properties of objects using five senses:

Seeing

Smelling

Touching

Tasting

Hearing

Two Types of Observation

Quantitative observation

A quantitative observation deals with numbers, or

amounts.

Ex. Measuring your height, your weight

Qualitative observation

A qualitative observation deals with descriptions that

can NOT be expressed in numbers.

Ex. The bird is blue, watermelon taste sweet

Inferring

When you explain or interpret the

things you observe, you are

inferring, or making an inference.

Inferring is not guessing.

Inferring are based on reasoning

from what you already know.

Inferring could also be based on

assumptions you make about

your observations.

Inferring is giving an

explanation for a particular

object or event

Predicting

Predicting means making a statement

or a claim about what will happen in

the future based on past experience or

evidence.

Predicting means forecasting a future

occurrence based on facts

observations or the extension of data.

Classifying

Classifying is the grouping together of

items that are alike in some ways.

Classifying means relating objects and

events according to their attributes

which may involve classifying places,

objects, ideas, and events.

Making Models

Making models involves creating

representations of complex objects or

process.

Evaluating

Evaluating involves comparing

observations and data to reach a

conclusion about them

Conducting Scientific

Investigations

A scientific investigations is the way in

which scientist study the natural world.

First, you ask a question

Then, you figure out a way to find the

answer.

Finally, you perform the actions necessary

to find the answer

Answer page 11

Questions 1a. Why do scientist

make models?

B. Is this statement an inference

or a prediction? The cat will fall.

1a. Scientists make models to

represent an idea, an object or even a

process or a system that is used to

describe and explain phenomena that

cannot be experienced directly.

The cat will fall

It is a PREDICTION because you are

making a statement or claim on

what will happen.