Chimp Food - Thinking Like a Scientist This graph shows the diet of chimps at Gombe National Park during May of one year.

Chimp Food - Thinking Like a Scientist Reading Graphs: According to the graph, what foods do chimps eat? Fruit, seeds, leaves, meat, insects, blossoms, and other foods

Chimp Food - Thinking Like a Scientist Interpreting Data: Did chimps feed more on seeds or leaves during this month? Seeds

Chimp Food - Thinking Like a Scientist Calculating: What percentage of the diet did blossoms, seeds, leaves, and fruit make up? 95%

Chimp Food - Thinking Like a Scientist Predicting: Suppose you learn that November is the main termite-fishing season, when chimps spend a large part of their time eating termites. Predict how the chimp diet might change in November. Insects will constitute a much greater portion of the chimps diet, with other food diminishing proportionately.

Making Models - Thinking Like a Scientist Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes. This model traces a chimp’s journey through the forest.

Asking Questions - Thinking Like a Scientist Before you read, preview the red headings. In a graphic organizer like the one below, ask a what, how, or why question for each heading. As you read, write answers to your questions. Question Answer What does observing involve? Observing involves using one or more of your senses to gather information. What is inferring? Inferring means to explain or interpret the things you observe. What does predicting mean? Predicting means making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence. What does making models involve? Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes. What is classifying? Classifying is the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way. What do scientific attitudes include? Scientific attitudes include curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, skepticism, and creativity.

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Collecting and Interpreting Data - Scientific Inquiry Collecting and Interpreting Data A data table helps you organize the information you collect in an experiment. Graphing the data may reveal any patterns in your data.

Building Vocabulary - Scientific Inquiry A definition states the meaning of a word or phrase by telling about its most important feature or function. After you read the section, reread the paragraphs that contain definitions of Key Terms. Use all the information you have learned to write a definition of each Key Term in your own words. Key Terms: Examples: communicating scientific theory scientific law Key Terms: Key Terms: Examples: responding variable controlled experiment operational definition data Examples: scientific inquiry The responding variable is the variable that changes in response to changes in the manipulated variable. Scientific inquiry is a process that includes the different ways that scientists find out about the natural world. Communicating is the sharing of ideas and experimental findings with others through writing and speaking. A controlled experiment is an experiment in which only one variable is manipulated. hypothesis A hypothesis is one possible answer to a scientific question. A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results. An operational definition is a description of how to measure a variable or define a term. variable A scientific law is a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions. A variable is something that can change in an experiment. Data are the facts, figures, and other evidence that a scientist collects through observing. manipulated variable A manipulated variable is the variable that is changed on purpose during an experiment.

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Identifying Main Ideas - Why Study Science? Identifying Main Ideas As you read about the importance of studying science, write the main idea in a graphic organizer like the one below. Then write four supporting details that give examples of the main idea. Main Idea Understanding science can help you… Detail Detail Detail Detail figure out how things work evaluate claims in advertisements weigh the pros and cons of public issues answer questions about the best use of Earth’s resources

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Using Prior Knowledge - Careers in Science Then write what you know about scientists in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, write what you learn. What You Know There are different fields of science. Scientists work together. Knowledge of science is used in nonscience careers. What You Learned The three main branches of science are Earth and space science, life science, and physical science. Most scientific questions being investigated today span the different fields of science, including questions related to exploring beyond Earth and developing new sources of energy. In many nonscience careers, a knowledge of science is essential in order to perform the job.

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Scientists use many different skills to learn more about the world. Graphic Organizer Main Idea Scientists use many different skills to learn more about the world. Detail Detail Detail Detail Detail Observing Inferring Predicting Classifying Making models

End of Section: Graphic Organizer