Observation & Inference

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

2. Observations • Any information collected with the senses. The skill of describing scientific events • Quantitative – measureable or countable • 3 meters long • 4 marbles • 50 kilograms • 35 degrees Celsius • Qualitative – describable, not measureable • red flowers • smells like fresh baked cookies • Tastes bitter

3. List 2 observations about this picture in your notes Just focus on what you see, not what you think it means

4. Inference • An explanation of observations. • 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 = ?

5. Make 2 inferences based on your observations and write them in your notebook

6. Make 2 more OBSERVATIONS in your notebook

7. Make 2 inferences based on your observations in your notebook

8. What is the difference between an Observation and an Inference? • Explain it in your notebook in 2-3 sentences.

9. Prediction • An informed idea of what will happen next, based on observations and inferences. • What do you think will happen next? Draw your prediction in your notebook! • What observations support your prediction?

10. How does this compare with your prediction?

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

12. Observations • Any information collected with the senses. The skill of describing scientific events • Quantitative – measureable or countable • 3 meters long • 4 marbles • 50 kilograms • 35 degrees Celsius • Qualitative – describable, not measureable • red flowers • smells like fresh baked cookies • Tastes bitter

13. Make 3 OBSERVATIONS about this picture in your notes. Just focus on what you see, not what you think it means.

14. Inference • An explanation of observations. • 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 = ?

15. Make 3 inferences based on your observations in your notebook. Be prepared to explain your thinking!

16. What is the difference between an Observation and an Inference? • Explain it in your notebook in 2-3 sentences.

17. Prediction • An informed idea of what will happen next, based on observations and inferences. • What do you think will happen next? Draw your prediction in your notebook! • What observations support your prediction? Explain your evidence in your notebook!

18. How does this compare with your prediction? Write it in your notebook.

19. Source of graphic:http://bob.nap.edu/html/evolution98/evol6-e.html