What is Science?

Grades 4-5

What you will learn…• What is science and what do

scientists do?• What are some of the tools

that scientists use?• What are observations and

how are they different from inferences?

• What kinds of measurements do scientists do?

What is Science?

• The word science comes from the Latin "scientia," meaning knowledge.

• Science refers to ways of acquiring knowledge. Scientists use observations and experimentation to describe and explain natural events.

• Science can also be defined as a way of thinking or a way of solving problems.

Are these people doing Science?

I need to find a cure

for this disease!

I wonder how old this piece of rock is…

This is interesting…why are there plants growing in this area?

•Scientists make careful observations.

•Observations are made by using any of the senses (sense of seeing, hearing, touching, smelling).

•Observations are oftentimes made by scientists using tools. Data (or information) collected this way are called measurements.

This boy is making a measurement of length using a ruler.

Tools of the Scientist

A microscope ‘magnifies’ (makes objects appear larger) objects.

A beam balance measures the mass (amount of stuff) an object has. A

thermometer measures how hot or cold (temperature) something is.

A graduated cylinder measures

the volume (amount of space occupied) of an

object.

What are some of the things that scientists

measure?

OBSERVATIONS VS. INFERENCES

OBSERVATION- using any (or all) of the senses.

INFERENCE –statements that attempt to explain the observations.

I see dark, heavy clouds above!

It will rain!

I notice that the Principal is here!

Someone is in trouble!

Lisa and Marie are suddenly not

talking!

?

Check Point!

Study the picture on the right. Which tool is being used to determine if the lady is sick or not?

A. graduated cylinderB. mass balanceC. rulerD. thermometer

Check Point!Carlos is doing an experiment on

how fast plants grow. To measure the height of her plants each day, she would need a/n…

A. rulerB. thermometerC. graduated cylinderD. timer

Which statement is an inference?

A. Maria is already 5 feet tall!

B. It is hot today.C. It looks like it’s going to

rain.D. The Principal looks mad.