1. Thinking like a Scientist Part I

2. Observation Observation: / information collected by using your five senses: see, smell, taste, touch, hear. / Usually a fact- something that others would agree with. / NOT an opinion or conclusion Observation: / information collected by using your five senses: see, smell, taste, touch, hear. / Usually a fact- something that others would agree with. / NOT an opinion or conclusion

3. What do you make observations about? / Color / Texture / Size / Weight / Shape / Smell / Color / Texture / Size / Weight / Shape / Smell

4. Qualitative vs. Quantitative / Qualitative: think “quality”. This is an observation that uses WORDS to describe something. / Quantitative: think “quantity”. This is an observation that uses NUMBERS to describe something. / Qualitative: think “quality”. This is an observation that uses WORDS to describe something. / Quantitative: think “quantity”. This is an observation that uses NUMBERS to describe something.

5. Tips… / Don’t use the word “like” when making an observation. That is not specific enough. Ex. “It feels like marshmallows…” (What do marshmallows feel like? SAY THAT!) / Don’t use the word “like” when making an observation. That is not specific enough. Ex. “It feels like marshmallows…” (What do marshmallows feel like? SAY THAT!)

6. Inference  a conclusion you make based on your observations.  This is not FACT. This is now your perspective based on a set of information and others may agree/disagree.  a conclusion you make based on your observations.  This is not FACT. This is now your perspective based on a set of information and others may agree/disagree.

7. Observation or Inference? / The object is red. / The object is an apple. / The object smells sweet. / The object is round. / The object has a bruise. / The object has a brown spot. / The object has a mass of 200g. / The object is red. / The object is an apple. / The object smells sweet. / The object is round. / The object has a bruise. / The object has a brown spot. / The object has a mass of 200g.

8. Observations… / The object is red. / The object is an apple. / The object smells sweet. / The object is round. / The object has a bruise. / The object has a brown spot. / The object has a mass of 200g. / The object is red. / The object is an apple. / The object smells sweet. / The object is round. / The object has a bruise. / The object has a brown spot. / The object has a mass of 200g.

9. Inferences / The object is red. / The object is an apple. / The object smells sweet. / The object is round. / The object has a bruise. / The object has a brown spot. / The object has a mass of 200g. / The object is red. / The object is an apple. / The object smells sweet. / The object is round. / The object has a bruise. / The object has a brown spot. / The object has a mass of 200g.