Science is Like a Puzzle
Observations and inferences are very important to a scientist. We use observations to make
inferences. For example, I can observe that the trees outside are starting to change colors.
My inference from this observation could be — It must be fall (autumn)..
Pre-lab questions:
1. Observation: In your own words, write what you believe the definition of an observation is AND
give me one observation you can make right now.
a. Your definition of an observation:
b. One observation you can make right now (you will need to make an inference from this
observation so don’t make it too hard!)
2. Inference:
a. Your definition of an inference:
b. One inference from your observation above:
Procedure and Questions:
1. Don’t touch the paper bag with the puzzle pieces in it until you have been told to do so!!!!
2. Take ONE puzzle piece out of the bag and place it (face up) on the piece of cardboard (or folder) at
the center of the table. I want you to use your observations (visual only) and your inferences to
predict what the 100 piece puzzle is a photo of (the whole photo, not just your section). You can
determine this as a group or individually, bounce ideas off of each other, there is no right or wrong
answer here. This should be done within your group only, no trying to look at all the other groups!!
Prediction 1- What is the ENTIRE 100 piece puzzle a photo of?:
2. As a group, take out a second piece of the puzzle. Attempt to put your two puzzle pieces together,
they may fit together, but they may not. Talk amongst your group members and make a 2nd
prediction. Again, this does not have to be the same as others in your group, but can be. You may
end up changing what the puzzle is a pic of several times, that’s ok.
Prediction 2:
3. Now, take out 8 more pieces (as a group) and attempt putting whatever pieces you have in front of
you together (you should have a total of 10 pieces). Some pieces may fit, some may not, but do your
best to get them together before making your third prediction.
Prediction 3:
4. Empty out the remaining pieces from the paper bag. Complete the section of the puzzle you have
(all 16 pieces). If you are not getting them to fit….keep trying. If you still think they do not fit together,
make sure all the numbers on the puzzle pieces are the same. If they are, all 16 pieces you have will
fit together. You now have 16/100 pieces of the puzzle that are put together. In other words, you
have 16% of the entire puzzle. Make a prediction of what the ENTIRE puzzle is based on the
information (puzzle pieces) you have. This is a prediction, not a fact, there isn’t really a wrong
answer, but you should be as detailed as possible.
Prediction 4:
There are 6 sections of the puzzle that have been put together throughout the classroom. Before we
assemble the entire puzzle, I want to get an idea of what each group believes the puzzle is an image
of. Talk about your predictions with your group and come to some sort of consensus as to what the
entire puzzle is an image of. You should write your prediction under your group # below and add
other groups’ predictions as they are asked.
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
Group 4:
Group 5:
Group 6:
Conclusion Questions:
This section is to be done AFTER the entire puzzle is put together.
1. How did your predictions change from prediction 1 through prediction 4?
2. Were your later predictions more or less accurate than your early predictions?
b. Why do you think that is?
3. Can we determine what a puzzle is about even if some pieces are missing? Explain
4. Let’s say I give you a puzzle that contains 10,000 (ten thousand) pieces. You somehow managed
to put together 9, 999 pieces, but can’t find the last one. After putting all of those pieces together,
Would you feel confident that you have a pretty good understanding of what the puzzle is about, even
though you are missing that one piece?
5. In your own words, how is a jigsaw piece like a bit of scientific evidence?
6. Several Years ago, many Astrophysicists from around the world held a conference with intent of
determining what to do with respect to Pluto (at the time the ninth planet). Ultimately, they chose to
declassify it as a planet and classify it as a dwarf planet. Why do you think they chose to do that?