1. Topic: Scientific Inquiry Essential Question: What is scientific inquiry?

2. modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at: www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.pptwww.middleschoolscience.com www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.ppt Observation & Inference

3. What is scientific inquiry? You see something happen, you ask why? You want to make something happen, you ask how? Science is a tool for answering why and how.

4. The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate or answer questions

5. Problem/Question Observation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results

6. Steps of the Scientific Method 1.Problem/Question 1.Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

7. State the Problem/Question

8. Steps of the Scientific Method Observation/Research 2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.

9. Observations Any information collected with the 5 senses. Quantitative – measureable or countable »3 meters long »4 marbles Qualitative – describable, not measureable »red flowers »smells like fresh baked cookies »Tastes bitter

10. Inference Observations lead to conclusions or deductions based on the observations made. The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence is called an INFERENCE Practice: Copy this on the top of ISN Observations: I hear people screaming I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers I see a lot of people Inference = ?

11. Study this picture

12. Question 1 Are there cars parked on the sides of the road? What color is the pickup truck driving in the road? What does the blue sign say?

14. Let’s try it again!

15. How many cars were in the intersection? Can you describe at least one of the cars driving through the intersection? Are there any other potential witnesses? What was this witness doing? Where was he?

16. Questions continued What was this witness doing? Where was he?

18. Practice scenarios… All the students in the classroom came to school on Tuesday, but did not come on Monday (observation). What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

19. Research Research shows that frogs from that species should look like this

20. Research has also shown ….. There is a new factory that disposes it’s waste in the lake

21. You observe a dejected-looking (in low spirits; depressed; disheartened) student leaving the principle’s office. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

22. You observe that the sky at noon is darkening. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

23. All middle school students are bringing lunch from home. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

24. A former rock-and-roll band member has poor hearing. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

25. You leave a movie theater and see that the street is wet. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

26. The classroom lights are off. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

27. A siren is heard going past the school. What are some possible inferences? How could we test those inferneces?

28. Picture senarios… What happened?

32. Who are they?

34. Inference Conclusions or deductions based on observations. 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 = ?

35. Directions 1. For each of the following slides you will make 3 observations and create one inference *No talking*

36. Look at these two sets of animal tracks. List 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

37. Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

38. Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

39. Do you have your own riddle or scenario to help us practice observation and inference?