The Nature of Science and

Technology
• Chapter 1
– Section 1
• Thinking Like a Scientist
–pages #5 – #12.
Scientists use skills such as:
1. observing
2. inferring
3. predicting
4. classifying and
5. making models
to learn more about the world.
 OBSERVING
• Observing – means using one or
more of your senses to gather
information. Your senses include
sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.
– You use your sense daily. For
example, if it is chilly in the
morning, you’ll probably wear a
jacket to school.
Observations can be either:
• Quantitative – • Qualitative – deal
deal with a with descriptions
number, or that cannot be
amount. expressed in
– For example, numbers.
reading 3 e- – For example,
mails in your noticing that a car
is green or a lemon
inbox is a
tastes sour are
quantitative both qualitative
observation. observations.
 Inferring
• Inferring is when you explain or
interpret the things you observe, you
are inferring, or making an inference.
• Inferences are based on reasoning
from what you already know.
• Inferences are NOT wild guesses!
• For example, if everyone is outside with big coats on
you an infer that the weather is cold.
List 3 inferences about this picture.
1.

2.

3.
 PREDICTING
• Predicting means making a forecast of
what will happen in the future based on
past experiences or evidence.
• Predictions are not always correct.
• For example, you might predict that the
Cleveland Browns will have a losing
record based on previous years.
 Prediction vs. Inference
• Predictions and inferences are closely
related.
– While inferences are attempts to explain
what is happening or has happened,
predictions are forecasts of what will
happen.
 Make a prediction based on what
you observe from the picture.
1.
 CLASSIFYING
• Classifying is the process of grouping
together items that are alike in some
way.
• Classifying things help you to stay
organized so you can easily find and
use them later.
• For example, you have different
drawers in your dresser for socks,
shirts and pants.
 Classify the following items:
1.

2.

3.

4.
 MAKING MODELS
• Making models involves creating
representations of complex objects or
processes.
• Models help people study and
understand things that are complex or
that can’t be observed directly.
• Computer generated objects and
globes are examples of models.
 SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDES
• Science is the way of learning about the
natural world.
• Successful scientists posses certain
important attitudes including:
1. curiosity
2. honesty
3. open-mindedness
4. skepticism (having an attitude of doubt)
5. creativity.