How about science. 1.2 OBSERVATIONS AND INFERENCES

How about science. 1.2 OBSERVATIONS AND INFERENCES 

An investigation always begins with an observation. We use inferences to explain our observations. 

 Key Words and Phrases 

Observation, inference, senses, qualitative observation, quantitative observation 

Poll

How many beakers do you see? (at first)

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How many were actually there?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Select

Use your sense of sight to make an observation of the skull

• It is white

• has holes

• has cracks

Multiple Select

Use your sense of hearing to make an observation of the train

• Very loud

• gets louder the closer it is

• sound is low pitched

Multiple Select

Use your sense of touch to make an observation of Nelson. (what does it feel like to pet a dog?)

• Soft

• smooth

Multiple Select

Use your sense of smell to make an observation about the stinky shoes. (you may have to use your imagination a bit)

• Smells like old socks

• musty smell

Multiple Select

Use your sense of taste to make an observation about the ice cream. (I bet you remember what ice cream tastes like)

• It’s sweet

• tastes like chocolate

• may taste somewhat bitter

• It’s hard to describe the taste of chocolate

Multiple Select

Why are words like icky, yucky, pretty, ugly not used by scientists when they make observations?

• They are opinions

• unclear

• mean different things to different people

Multiple Select

Science is a system for acquiring new knowledge using ________ and _______

• observations

• experiments

Multiple Choice

_______ include anything you notice using your senses

• observations

• inference

Multiple Choice

_______ are judgements based on observations

• observations

• Inferences