5th Grade SSA Nature of Science Vocabulary

Match the following vocabulary words to their correct definition.

• hypothesis

• A predicted answer to a scientific question.

• data

• Something that can change during an experiment.

• variable

• A single completed investigation.

• observation

• Information collected during an experiment.

• trial

• Gathering information using the senses.

Match the following vocabulary words to their correct definition.

• control

• A feature that does not change during an experiment.

• inference

• trustworthy

• independent variable

• To observe something carefully in order to understand it.

• reliable

• A conclusion based on observation and reasoning.

• analyze

• The variable that is changed by the scientist.

Match the following vocabulary words to their correct definition.

• opinion

• A good guess about what is likely to happen in the future.

• research

• Answers the investigation question and is supported by data

  collected.

• scientific inquiry

• How scientists go about asking and answering questions

• prediction

• To study something in detail in order to discover facts about it.

• conclusion

• A personal belief not based on observable fact

Match the following vocabulary words to their correct definition.

• scientific method

• Something that changes as a result of changes in the

  independent variable in an experiment.

• experiment

• A process that uses science process skills as tools to gather,

  organize, analyze, and communicate information.

• scientific knowledge

• Information supported by observations

• fact

• What we know about the world

• dependent variable

• A carefully controlled test of a hypothesis