1. Scientific Investigation: Observations and Inferences

2. Most important scientific tool? YOUR POWERS OF...

3. Observation Observation: - recognizing and noting some FACT to gather information about the world - You make observations using your five senses - Observations must be specific and accurate, so that it means the same to everyone. Example: Incorrect - the burning bag smelled nasty Correct - the burning bag smelled similar to rotten eggs These are facts and not opinions Examples OBSERVATIONS OPINIONS It is green and slimy It’s totally gross! He scored 5 goals He’s the greatest player The chicken is greasy and tough The chicken tastes funny 40 kids wore blue todayBlue is their favorite color

4. Your Senses … Your Friends Using your sense Sight – color, size, shape, numbers, patterns, movement, Touch – textures (sharp, dull, rough, smooth, fuzzy, hard, soft, wet oily, dry) Smell – sweet, rotten, strong, fresh, spicy, minty, like strawberries Hear – loud, soft, high, low, quick, long, quiet Tastes – salty, sour, bitter, sweet (umami)

5. Ohh… This liquid is glowing green and slimy and it is leaking from a brown metal can. I also smell it.

6. Making Observations Qualitative Observation Using descriptive words Uses senses Examples: large round head rotten smell Crusty brown scab Little furry blue pets Quantitative Observation Us ing numbers to describe Forms of measurement Examples: 10 cm tall 50 kg 110 F 110 kph

7. Qualitative Observations Qualitative observations describe what we observe. “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive) These observations use adjectives to describe something. Example: The flower has white petals. Example: Mr. M has blue eyes.

8. Quantitative Observations Quantitative observations measure what we observe. “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical) These observations use numbers to measure something in a quantitative way. Example: The flower has seven petals. Example: Mr. M has two eyes.

9. Which is better? Both types of observations are valuable in science. In an experiment though, quantitative observations can be precisely and objectively compared. Qualitative: The road is long. (describes) Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures) Some things are easier to quantify than others. Scientists use innovative ways of turning qualitative into quantitative.

10. Qualitative vs. Quantitative observations Qualitative (descriptive) The cute, fuzzy, tan colored lion has sharp teeth and a long tail. Quantitative (numbers) The 500 kg lion has 6 cm long claws at the end of each of its 18 toes.

15. What is an inference? Inference - making a mental judgment based on your observations. Inferences cannot be directly observed. They require thought. Inferences are an explanation for an observation you have made. They are based on your past experiences and prior knowledge. Inferences are often changed when new observations are made. Again, observations are information we gather directly through our five senses….inferences help explain those observations!

16. Example You get up in the morning, look up at the sky and: 1.observe dark clouds, 2.observe the air is cool and humid, and 3.observe puddles on the ground....you might infer that it has recently rained. Note: you did not see rain; you decided that it rained based on your observations. An inference is a statement based on your observations (interpretation of the facts).

17. Here are some examples! Observation: The grass on the school’s front lawn is wet. Possible inferences: It rained. The sprinkler was on. There is dew on the grass from the morning. A dog urinated on the grass! All of these inferences could possibly explain why the grass is wet. They are all based on prior experiences. We have all seen rain, sprinklers, morning dew, and dogs going to the bathroom.

18. Here are some examples! Observation: The school fire alarm is going off. Possible inferences: The school is on fire. We are having a fire drill. A student pulled the fire alarm. Again, these are all logical explanations for why the fire alarm is going off.

19. Quick Review Examples Observations That plant is extremely wilted. The car stopped running The Sox are leading there division Inferences That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water. The car stooped running because it was out of gas. The sox are leading there division because they are playing well right now.

20. What observations can we make about this picture? What can we infer based on this picture?

21. What observations can we make from these pictures?

22. Last one! Observation: A student is sitting in the main office. Possible inferences: ? Why might a student be sitting there?