1.4 SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS

1.4 SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS

Scientific questions are testable, specific and can be answered by direct observation or measurement. 

Key words and phrases 

scientific question 

Multiple Select

What are some questions you have about the red sewer lice?

• Are they alive?

• How do they move?

• What do they eat?

• Where do they live?

Poll

what questions can be formed about things you see in the video?

• Do chickens lay colored eggs when there is no rooster?

• Why does Dave’s truck die at stoplights?

• Why do mountain goat so come so close to hikers?

• Is there liquid water on Mars?

• Does a pizza stone make a pizza crust crispier?

Multiple Select

Good scientific questions: (mark all that apply)

• Are the result of observations.

• Are testable, they guide an investigation

• Can be answered by direct observation or by measuring with scientific tools

• May begin as general why questions but become more specific.

• Offer evidence to support your claims

Multiple Select

Bad scientific questions: ( mark all that apply)

• Cannot be proven or disproven by testing.

• Have different answers or opinions depending on who you ask

• Use words that mean different things to different people.

Multiple Select

What are some key words that describe good scientific questions?

• Observable

• testable

• measurable

• offer evidence

• specific

 For the following scientific questions, if it is good mark “GOOD”. If it’s not, mark the word or words that need(s) improvement. 

Multiple Choice

Do polyphemus moth caterpillars prefer oak or maple leaves?

• Good

• Could be more specific

• Not observable, not testable or measurable.

Multiple Choice

Are caterpillars affected by temperature?

• good

• Could be more specific

• Not observable, not testable or measurable.

Multiple Choice

Are caterpillars happier inside or outside?

• good

• Could be more specific

• Not observable, not testable or measurable.

Multiple Choice

What is the effect of raising polyphemus moth caterpillars inside or outside on their length?

• good

• Could be more specific

• Not observable, not testable or measurable

Multiple Choice

Do hens lay colored eggs when roosters are present?

• good

• Could be more specific

• Not observable, not testable or measurable.

Multiple Choice

Why does Oobleck feel slimy?

• good

• Could be more specific

• Not observable, not testable or measurable.

Poll

Give it a 1,2, 3, 4!

• 1 I GET IT!

• 2 I’m pretty close!

• 3 Still working on it!

• 4 I’m watching this again!