Observation: The First Step in the Scientific Method To observe means to examine something. Good observers focus on the details. When people observe things they often wonder why it is that way. Scientists try to answer that question. They make observations as the first step to the scientific method. Observations are also called data. There are two kinds of data.
It is important to be a careful observer. The smallest detail could be important to finding the answer to a question.
"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science." Extensions:
Weather Internet Hunt | Weather - High Temperatures Activity All trademarks, copyright and logos belong to their respective owners. Internet Hunts / Nature / Water Studies / Computers / Famous Pennsylvanians / Civics / Puzzles & Projects / Site map / Home Posted by Cynthia J. O'Hora 9/2008, released for noncommercial use by nonprofit organizations Aligned with Pennsylvania Academic Standards | Rubric Template at Bernie Dodge site Save a tree - use a Digital Answer Format - Highlight the text. Copy it. Paste it in a word processing document. Save the document in your folder. Answer on the word processing document in an easily read, contrasting color or font. (Not yellow ) Avoid fancy fonts like Symbols, Techno, fonts). Save frequently as you work. I have never liked losing my work. You will not like it either. Be sure to enter your name & the date at the top of the document. Submit via email attachment or class dropbox. Bad things happen: Save a copy of the response document for your records. Proof your responses. It is funny how speling errors and typeos sneak in to the bets work. Make your own printer paper answer sheet Pennsylvania Academic Standards - The Nature of Science National Science Education Standards: CONTENT STANDARD G: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of: Because all scientific ideas depend on experimental and observational confirmation, all scientific knowledge is, in principle, subject to change as new evidence becomes available. The core ideas of science such as the conservation of energy or the laws of motion have been subjected to a wide variety of confirmations and are therefore unlikely to change in the areas in which they have been tested. In areas where data or understanding are incomplete, such as the details of human evolution or questions surrounding global warming, new data may well lead to changes in current ideas or resolve current conflicts. In situations where information is still fragmentary, it is normal for scientific ideas to be incomplete, but this is also where the opportunity for making advances may be greatest. |