1. How we look at things in science
Observations
How we look at things in science

2. What is observation?
Observations are made in science. They are made by using:
The 5 Senses
Taste
Smell
Touch
Hear
See
I will ask students tell me what the five senses are. Students will be asked to take down notes on their graphic organizer that will be handed out as a worksheet.

3. Two types of Observation
Qualitative
Quantitative
Qualitative = “L” for looking
Quantitative = “N” for numbers
QUANTITY VS QUALILTY

4. 1. Qualitative Observations
Hard to measure
Describes the qualities of something
Color
Taste
Sound
Texture
**Facts not opinions.
More note taking will continue

5. 2. Quantitative Observations Mathematical aspect
Can be expressed in numbers
Can be counted or measured
Amounts
Temperature
Mass
Length
Allow us to communicate specifics
Tools are used to communicate data
Observations are collected in data tables
increase accuracy & precision
More notes

6. Inference Drawing a conclusion based on data and observation
The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.
Practice:
Observations:
I hear people screaming
I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers
I see a lot of people
Inference = ?
Inference= I might be at a state fair, or a local carnival. Maybe a birthday party for a friend or sibling.

7. Observation Vs Inference
That plant is extremely wilted. The car stopped running The Diamondbacks are leading their division
That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water.
The car stopped running because it was out of gas.
The Diamondbacks are leading their division because they are playing well right now.
Observations lead to well informed inferences

8. When to use observation & inference…
During experiments, record observations NOT inferences Inferences may be used when writing the conclusion in your lab report.
Finish taking notes for the day.

9. Observation or Inference
There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin.
The Latin word "Dei" means "God.“
The coin was made by deeply religious people.
The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.
The coin was made in
The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.
Students will be asked to determine if the numbers 1-6 are observtions or inferences. This will be done aloud as a class.

10. Observation or inference?
Let’s ….
Look at the picture & decide if the statement is an
Students will be asked to determine if the pictures facts are observations or inferences. This will be done aloud and as a class. This will also help modifiy for students in class who are have low reading skills and are more proficient with understanding visual aids.
Observation or inference?

11. There is smoke in the room.
Observation
Observation

12. Sheldon left a hot pocket in the microwave too long creating it to burn and smoke up the apartment.
Inference
Observation or Inference ?
Why is it an inference? Can you come up with another inference as to why there is smoke in the apartment?

13. Lucy the elephant was built by the big apple Circus
Inference
Inference !!
We do not know this to be fact just from looking at the picture

14. Lucy has two white tusks
Observation
Why kind of observation is this and why?
Quantitative because you are counting the number of tusks she has

15. Lucy’s real name is lucille the elephant
Inference
INFERENCE!! WE CAN NOT COME TO THIS CONCLUSION WITH OUT FURTHER EVIDENCE.
EXTRA INFO: LUCY THE ELEPHANT WAS ACTUALLY BUILT in 1841 It was built in Philadelphia. She was built as a gimmick to get people from Atlantic city to move to a smaller out skirt town. Than Lucy was sold to a physician who added four bedrooms and he lived there with their family. Than she made into a tavern but that didn't’t really last. In 1962 Margate NJ condemned Lucy. Lucy was going to be torn down but people rallied together to get her moved, Lucy July 20th 1920 to a new location two blocks away and she is now used a travel icon in NJ and people go to visit her and explore her amazing architecture. Lucy is now a national landmark! Wouldn’t think that just from an observation right?

16. Look at these two sets of animal tracks.
List 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE
Students will move on to the tricky tracks activity. Students will work within their groups to list three observations and 1 inference about the tracks they see in the picture.

17. Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE
Students will move on to the tricky tracks activity. Students will work within their groups to list three observations and 1 inference about the tracks they see in the picture. These observations and inferences can be modified from their existing lists
Make 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE

18. Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE
Students will move on to the tricky tracks activity. Students will work within their groups to list three observations and 1 inference about the tracks they see in the picture. These observations and inferences can be modified from their existing lists
Make 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE