Observing Like a Scientist? How Do Scientists Make Progress in Understanding the natural world?

What does it mean to Observe? There are two main types of observations. Quantitative Observation Qualitative Observation Deals with a number or amount. Example There are 30 students in this class. Deals with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers. Example This gym smells like sweat socks.

Name any Quatitative Observations from the short video ARKIVE VIDEO Name any Qualitative Observations from the short video.

The Study of Life…Inferring How is Structure related to Function? List some characteristics you see on this animal. More on this animal Based on your observations above, which of these items do you think it eats?

Past Observations from memory On the way to Las Vegas… Describe the desert you see on the road trip to Vegas. What lives in the desert?

Using your new skills… Is a Tumble Weed Alive? Examine the real Tumble weed up close…what do you see?

Now…Observe like a scientist With your neighbor… Make a list of both types of observations Choose any one living organism and list its characteristics. Infer their functions based on their structure.

Activity: Observing up close. Pick a paper labeled with an object from a jar. “rock, insect, leaf, soil, stick, flower.” Go outside with class to collect objects. Using magnifying glasses, observe both quantitatively and qualitatively. (be sure to measure your item) Sketch and color item in your lab book. Based on your evidence from observing, make inferences, create a hypothesis. Is it alive? How does it support life? How does it appear to survive in its environment? What type of scientist would be concerned with your item? Propose a way to test your hypothesis.

Different Fields of Science

Activity: Choose your Title Choose a scientist title. Research the title to find What do they study? What kind of technology or tools they use? What kind of experience or training is required? Where they would work? If possible, what kind of money do they make? What other sciences must they know? Provide images Any other important information? Prepare a poster or short power point presentation to share your findings with the class. For additional job titles Click image below

Example: Microbiologist Expert in : Bacteria, Fungi & Viruses Works in a lab or clean room, but also works in the field. Studies many things, drinking water, food, forests and rivers, medicines, infectious diseases and even weapons of war just to name a few. Investigates contamination, outbreaks Must spend many years in school earning multiple degrees Etc. , etc. …

Big Ideas in Life Science Themes of this class for the year… Organisms are diverse, yet share similar characteristics Groups of Organisms change over time The structure and function of organisms are complimentary Organisms operate on the same physical principal as the rest of the natural world. Science encompasses many fields, we will examine how science is applied. We will learn how to think and see he world as a scientist, & how to ask scientific questions.