Unit 1: The Nature of Science

Section 1: Thinking Like a Scientist

Example

Vocabulary word

IllustrationDrawn or glued

Define word your own way

HashtagsRelate back to

the word

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Word Bank1. Qualitative

Observations2. Quantitative

Observations3. Inference4. Prediction5. Skepticism6. Ethical7. Reasoning

Write these words down now!

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1.1 Thinking

like a Scientist

Essential Question: How do Scientists study the natural world?

Questions:

Summary: What did you learn? 3 Sentences.

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1.1 Thinking

like a Scientist

Essential Question: How do Scientists study the natural world?

Questions: What is Science?● How we learn about the natural world.● Scientists gain knowledge through exploration

and use skills such as:

Summary: What did you learn? 3 Sentences.

●Observing- Using one or more of your senses to gather information.

○ Qualitative: Descriptive observations (words)

○ Quantitative: Numerical observations (numbers)

●Inferring- Explaining an observation based on your experiences. NOT GUESSING

●Predicting- Making a statement or a claim about what will happen in the future based on past experiences/evidence.

Characteristics of Scientists● Curiosity: Wanting to learn and know more.● Honesty: Being truthful in actions & words.● Creativity:Thinking new or differently.● Open Mindedness: Accepting of new things.● Skepticism: Having doubt/ not believing.● Ethical:Knowing the difference between right and

wrong. Not causing intentional harm.

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Observation 1:Prediction 1:Observation 2:Prediction 2:

Evaluation:

Qualitative Observations:1:2:Quantitative Observations:1.2.Inference:1.2.

Science Skills Practice

Science Skills Practice Instructions

1: Glue box to paper.2. Circle Qualitative observations in blue3. Circle Quantitative observations in red4. Write down 2 observations each and 2 inferences

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1. Glue top of footprint paper into book2. Write 1 observation and one inference

below3. Glue 2nd footprint top to paper4. Write new observation and prediction

below5. Glue final footprint top to paper6. Write evaluation of what happened below

1.1 Thinking

like a Scientist

Essential Question: How do Scientists evaluate the natural world?

Questions: Drawing Conclusions●Evidence: Facts and information gathered that

lead to a conclusion.

Summary: What did you learn? 3 Sentences.

●Evaluating: Comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them

●Reasoning: Using a logical way of thinking based on gathering and evaluating evidence to make a decision.

●Deductive: Explaining things by starting general then getting more specific.

○Bigger idea to smaller idea.●Inductive: Explaining things by using a

specific observation to make a generalization.

○Smaller idea to bigger idea.●Subjective: Using your personal feelings to

make a decision.●Objective: Using evidence to make

decisions.●Faulty: Reaching the wrong conclusion

based on too little evidence.

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