Overview
This lecture introduces scientific process skills, key vocabulary, and examples of applying these skills to scientific observations, measurements, and data organization.
Scientific Process Types
- There are three types: scientific method, science process skills, and scientific mind.
- Focus of this lecture is on science process skills.
Key Vocabulary
- Skills: the ability to perform a task well due to training or practice.
- Observe: to watch something carefully.
- Diagrams: drawings showing arrangement and relationships.
Scientific Process Skills
- Scientific process skills help scientists answer questions and solve problems.
- There are 14 science process skills, divided into:
- 8 basic skills: observing, classifying, measuring, organizing data and communicating, inferring, predicting, using numbers, using space/time relationships.
- 6 integrated skills: identifying/controlling variables, interpreting data/making conclusions, experimenting, defining operationally, formulating hypotheses, modeling.
Examples of Science Process Skills
- Observing: gathering information through senses (see, taste, smell, touch, hear).
- Measuring: using tools (scale, tape, ruler, cup) to find length, mass, or volume.
- Organizing Data & Communicating: arranging data systematically (charts/tables) for easy understanding.
- Modeling: creating models (e.g., life cycle, skeleton, ecosystem) to explain studied concepts.
- Using Space or Time Relationships: analyzing position and movement of objects in space and time.
- Space-space: relation between positions (e.g., hospital east of school).
- Space-time: relation between position and time (e.g., sun moves across sky).
- Predicting: making statements about what will happen in the future based on observations (e.g., dark clouds mean rain).
Example Applications
- "Grocery store is south of the school" uses space/time relationship skill.
- "Jack uses magnifying glass to study leaves" uses observing skill.
- "Rose uses a ruler to find her height" uses measuring skill.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Skill — ability gained through practice and training.
- Observe — to watch something carefully.
- Diagram — a drawing showing arrangement or relationship.
- Modeling — making models to explain or share scientific information.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Open your book to page 4 and answer the questions there.