Observe Infer Predict

Inferring and Predicting

Science Process Skills

Inferring

• to explain what you have observed based on previous knowledge

• to make conclusions based on observable facts

• is not based on experimentation

Observation

​The baby is crying.

​Inference

​The baby is crying because he is hungry.

​Observation

The flame moves.

Inference​

The wind causes the flame to move.

​Observation

The little girl is helping the lady set the table.

​Inference

​The little girl is the lady's daughter.

An inference is not always correct.

If you want to find out whether it is true or not, you have to do more investigation.

Predicting

• involves making a statement about a future event

• stating the outcome of a future event based on a pattern of evidence

• is based on current observations and past experiences or knowledge

Observation

​The sky is gray.

​​Prediction

It is going to rain.

Predictions

are made by searching for a pattern about what has happened

Study the pattern of growth of the plant.

• How fast does the plant increase in height?

• What will be the possible height of the plant on the 7th day?

• How were you able to predict this?

A beaker of water was left outdoors. It was observed that the volume of the liquid changes every day.

• What happens to the water as the days go by?

• On what day will the beaker become empty, that is, volume is zero?

Multiple Select

Which is an observation? There may be more than one correct answer.

• The cheetah is running after the gazelle.

• The cheetah is going to eat the gazelle.

• The cheetah is very hungry.

• There is one gazelle.

Multiple Choice

Which is an inference?

• The cheetah is running after the gazelle.

• The cheetah is going to eat the gazelle.

• The cheetah is very hungry.

• There is one gazelle.

Multiple Choice

Which is a prediction?

• The cheetah is running after the gazelle.

• The cheetah is going to eat the gazelle.

• The cheetah is very hungry.

• There is one gazelle.

Multiple Choice

The fence looks wet. Someone must have just painted it.

This statement is a/an _____

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

• Inference

• Prediction

Multiple Choice

The plant will have more flowers because of the fertilizer.

This statement is a/an _____

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

• Inference

• Prediction

Multiple Choice

The cat likes the brown recliner.

This statement is a/an _____

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

• Inference

• Prediction

Multiple Choice

The milk will go sour faster if left outside the refrigerator.

This statement is a/an _____

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

• Inference

• Prediction

Multiple Choice

When you explain why the sugar is dissolving faster than the salt, you are making a/an _____

• observation

• experiment

• prediction

• inference

Multiple Choice

The bullfrog is going to eat the insect.

This statement is a/an _____

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

• Inference

• Prediction

Multiple Choice

_____ is making a statement or a claim about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.

• classifying

• observing

• predicting

• measuring

Multiple Choice

How many comic books do you predict Alice will buy in May?

• 10

• 11

• 12

• 14

Multiple Choice

Can you infer what has happened in this picture?

• Someone is airing out his stinky feet

• Someone has foot fungus

• Someone was bitten by an ant

• Someone's feet got sunburnt

Multiple Choice

When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are ____________.

• infering

• predicting

• observing

• claiming

Multiple Choice

Predict what will happen to a cup of juice that is left inside the freezer.

• It will freeze.

• It will lose its flavor.

• It will change color.

• It will stay the same.

Multiple Choice

Based on what previous knowledge did you base your prediction?

• I know that liquid turns to solid when it is placed inside a freezer.

• I know that juice changes color when it becomes cold.

• I know that the sweetness of the juice evaporates after some time.

• I know that putting liquid in a cold environment has no effect on it.

Multiple Choice

The firetruck is traveling so fast. The sound from its siren is loud. What is happening?

• There is a celebration.

• The firemen are going to a picnic.

• There is a fire nearby.