OBSERVATION
VS
INFERENCE
Mystery Box:
WRITE DOWN TEN
QUESTIONS
Observation

An observation is information that is gathered
through the 5 senses
 Smell, sight, taste, touch, hearing

2 Types of Observations
 Quantitative – data that can be measured or counted




3 meters long
4 marbles
50 kilograms
35 degrees Celsius
 Qualitative – data that is described using words, but cannot
be measured or counted
 red flowers
 smells like fresh baked cookies
 Tastes bitter
Inference

An inference is a conclusion or prediction based
on something that you observe

After you make an observation, you usually make an
inference about what is going on
Observation + Why = Inference

Practice:
 Observations:
• I hear people screaming
• I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers
• I see a lot of people

Inference = ?
Let’s practice making inferences!
The next three slides show some fossil imprints
that were found during a archeological dig. We’re
going to record some observations and then
make some inferences about what may have
happened millions of years ago….
What do you think happened?
For each picture…
• Write down three observationsthings that you can actually see that
you believe are very important to
the picture you are viewing.
• Write down three inferencesthings that you suppose are likely
to happen or already happened,
based on what you see in the
picture.
Observation or Inference?
1a. Kevin has a cast on.
1b. He must have broken his
arm.
2a. Mrs. Myers loves to
read.
2b. Mrs. Myers is my
English teacher.
3a. I think I made Mr. Pevzner
angry last period.
3b. Hhe was yelling at the
class the whole time.
4a. This cheese tastes
really weird.
4b. It most likely spoiled
in the refrigerator.
1a (Observation-see it)
 1b (Inference- guess b/c see cast)

2a (Inference b/c she teaches
English- or we see her with
books)
 2b (Observation it is a fact)

3a Inference (guess based off of
evidence- she was yelling)
3b (observation fact- we heard her
yell)
4a- Observation- fact we tasted it
4b inference- guess based on
evidence it tasted funny we are
guessing why
Mini Quiz

Before you can leave today you must do
the following:
◦ 1. Write down 2 observations of the science
classroom or today’s lesson.
 1a.
1b.
◦ 2. Write down two inferences you have about
the science classroom or today’s lesson.
 2a
2b
Egg Tower Experiment:
Purpose:
 Independent Variable
 Dependent Variable
 Drawings
 Final Results: Explain

Scientific Method
Tuesday:
 Objectives:
I will be able to explain parts of scientific
method
I will be able to explain importance of
scientific method
I will be able to write a summary in order
to explain parts of scientific method

Tuesday: Self-starter
Reading: Elephant Poem
 Answer question in your notebook on
the left side

Allen Autopsy Hoax slide show
Songs and movies
Wednesday/Thursday: What is
Control?
I will be able to explain importance of
variables in our experiments
 I will be able to explain what is
independent variable and dependent
variable
 I will be able to explain what is control

Activities:
Penny Experiment or sugar cube
experiment
 Homer Simpson worksheet-practice of
variables

Self-starter Friday:Vocabulary Test
Define:-Observation, Control,
Independent and Dependent variables,
Scientific method, and Inference
 Define using your own words, explain it
to your partner and draw or write one
example

Objectives:
I will be able to explain differences
between biotic and abiotic factors
 I will be able to provide examples for
biotic and abiotic factors

Movie