WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES OF

SCIENCE?

SCIENCE IS A WAY OF LEARNING ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD.

The processes of science include:•Observing• Inferring• Predicting• Classifying• Evaluating•Making models• Conducting scientific experiments

OBSERVING

Qualitative• Descriptions that cannot

be expressed in numbers

Quantitative• Numbers or amounts

Using one or more of your senses to gather accurate information

OrangeCircular

SoftLiquid

INFERRING

The girl is celebrating her birthday.

*This is an inference because we are explaining the observation of the balloons as a sign of a birthday.

Explaining or interpreting the things you observed

YOUR TURN!

Identify each statement as either a qualitative observation, quantitative

observation, or an inference.1. The classroom walls are yellow.2. Sixteen students were present for roll call.3. The chalkboard is 1 meter high and 2

meters wide.4. The friendliest people were there first.5. The empty aquarium tank is waterproof.

WERE YOU CORRECT?

Qualitative Quantitative Inference

1. The classroom walls are yellow.2. Sixteen students were present for roll call.3. The chalkboard is 1 meter high and 2 meters

wide.4. The friendliest people were there first.5. The empty aquarium tank is waterproof.

PREDICTING

The girl will have cake and open presents later.

Making a statement or claim about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.

CLASSIFYINGGrouping together of items that are alike in some ways.

MAKING MODELSCreating representations of complex objects or processes.

EVALUATINGComparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.

Type of Year Average Number of Hurricanes

Normal Year 5.8

El Nino Year 4

*Evaluation - There tends to be less hurricanes during an El Nino year.

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONThe way in which scientists study the natural world.

1. Question2. Observe/Research3. Hypothesize/Predict4. Test/Make Models5. Evaluate6. Conclude