Science and Engineering Practices

Question 1

Scientific Method

The way scientist study and learn about the world.

Question 2

Observation

Using your five senses to gather information about something.

Question 3

Qualitative Observation

Using your senses to describe the characteristics of an object-color, texture, taste.

Examples:

Smooth texture
Brightly colored
Smells bad

Question 4

Quantitative Observation

Using numbers or measurements to describe something.

Examples

10 meters
450 milliliters
176 grams

Question 5

Inference

An explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.

Question 6

Hypothesis

A prediction based on prior knowledge. Always written in an if then statement.

Example

IF I put the ice cube in the sun,
THEN the ice cube will melt

Question 7

Variable

Any factor that can be manipulated, controlled for, or measured in an experiment.

Question 8

Control Variable

What must stay the same in
the experiment.

Question 9

Manipulated/Independent Variable

The thing that you are testing or changing in an experiment and it is graphed on the X-axis.

Question 10

Dependent/Responding Variable

What you are measuring or observing in an experiment and it is graphed on the Y-axis.

Question 11

C-E-R

Question 12

Claim

Is the answer to the question you are
trying to answer.

Question 13

Evidence

Scientific data that supports your claim.

Question 14

Reasoning

The how or why the evidence supports our claim; scientific rule

Question 15

Conclusion

A written summary of an experiment that uses evidence to prove what you learned.