Topic: Scientific Inquiry
Essential Question: What is scientific inquiry?
modified by Liz LaRosa www.middleschoolscience.com 2009, from original posted at:www.science-class.net/PowerPoints/Observation_Inference_8th.ppt
Observation & Inference
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.
The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate or
answer questions
Problem/QuestionObservation/Research
Formulate a HypothesisExperiment
Collect and Analyze ResultsConclusion
Communicate the Results
Steps of the Scientific Method1. Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be
solved through experimentation.
State the Problem/Question
Steps of the Scientific Method
2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of
interest.
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
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 = ?
Study this picture
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?
Let’s try it again!
• 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?
Questions continued
• What was this witness doing? Where was he?
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?
Research
Research shows that frogs from that species should look like this
Research has also shown…..There is a new factory that disposes it’s waste in the lake
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?
You observe that the sky at noon is darkening.
• What are some possible inferences?
• How could we test those inferneces?
All middle school students are bringing lunch from home.
• What are some possible inferences?• How could we test those inferneces?
A former rock-and-roll band member has poor hearing.
• What are some possible inferences?
• How could we test those inferneces?
You leave a movie theater and see that the street is wet.
• What are some possible inferences?
• How could we test those inferneces?
The classroom lights are off.
• What are some possible inferences?
• How could we test those inferneces?
A siren is heard going past the school.
• What are some possible inferences?
• How could we test those inferneces?
Picture senarios… What happened?
Who are they?
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 = ?
Directions• 1. For each of the following
slides you will make 3 observations and create one inference
• *No talking*
Look at these two sets of animal tracks.
List 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE
Now what do you think?
Make 3 OBSERVATIONSMake an INFERENCE
Now what do you think?
Make 3 OBSERVATIONSMake an INFERENCE
Do you have your own riddle or scenario to
help us practice observation and
inference?