Objective 1
The Nature of Science:
Chapter 1 (section 1 only)
What are the 5 skills scientists use to
learn about the world?
Thinking Like a Scientist
Graphic Organizer
1. Observing
Main Idea
Scientists use many different skills to learn more about the world.
Observing
Inferring
Predicting
Classifying
Observations
Quantitative
Qualitative
Examples:
Examples:
Measurements
Calculations
Color
Smell
Taste
Sound
Texture
Making
models
Using the senses to gather
information.
Two types:
a. Quantitative – observations that
deal with numbers or amounts
b. Qualitative – observations that
deal with descriptions
2. Inferring
Trying to explain or interpret what you
observe based on reasoning from
what you already know.
What has happened.
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3. Predicting
Making a forecast of what will happen
in the future based on what you
already know.
Inferences vs.
predictions
Example: A broken egg is on the floor by the
table.
Inference
What will happen.
4. Classifying
Grouping like items.
Prediction
it rolled off the table it will stain the floor
5. Making Models
A representation of complex objects
or processes.
• Models are a very important part of
science
• Maps, miniatures, illustrations,
graphs and even mathematical
equations are all types of models
- Thinking Like a Scientist
Example
Do not copy
the
following
slides
This model traces
a chimp’s
journey through
the forest.
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- Thinking Like a Scientist
- Thinking Like a Scientist
Chimp Food
Chimp Food
• Reading Graphs:
•This graph shows the
diet of chimps at
Gombe National Park
during May of one
year.
– According to the
graph, what foods do
chimps eat?
–Fruit, seeds, leaves,
meat, insects, blossoms,
and other foods
- Thinking Like a Scientist
- Thinking Like a Scientist
Chimp Food
Chimp Food
• Interpreting Data:
• Calculating:
– Did chimps feed more
on seeds or leaves
during this month?
– What percentage of
the diet did blossoms,
seeds, leaves, and
fruit make up?
–Seeds
–95%
- Thinking Like a Scientist
Chimp Food
- Thinking Like a Scientist
Question
• Predicting:
– Suppose you learn that
November is the main
termite-fishing season,
when chimps spend a large
part of their time eating
termites. Predict how the
chimp diet might change in
November.
–Insects will constitute a
much greater portion of the
chimps diet, with other food
diminishing proportionately.
What does observing
involve?
Answer
Using one or more of your senses to
gather information.
What is inferring?
Inferring means to explain or
interpret the things you observe.
What does predicting
mean?
Making a forecast of what will happen
in the future based on past experience
or evidence.
Creating representations of
complex objects or processes.
What does making
models involve?
What is classifying?
What do scientific
attitudes include?
Grouping together items that are
alike in some way.
Curiosity, honesty, openmindedness, skepticism, and
creativity.
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