 When you observe, you become aware of

something using one of your senses.

 Your five senses are smell, taste, sight, touch,
and sound.
 In an observation you simply describe
something as it appears.
 An observation is a statement describing a fact.
In the space below, record 5 observations about
your science classroom.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?
What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?
What's the speed limit?
Any minivans around?
How many signs are there?
Are there any pedestrians on the road?
Are there any lines on the road? What style?
How many yellow poles are present?
How many trash cans are present?
A Duck, Bunny, or BOTH?
This image contains a
picture and a word.
Do you see both of
them?
 There are some things that cannot be observed
using just your senses. (Examples: radiation,
sound waves, planets, cells, etc.)
 How do you think these things were discovered?
 A possible explanation

 An assumption

 A mental judgment

 Based on your observations and prior knowledge.

 Inferences cannot be directly observed. They require

thought.
 EXAMPLE: If you get up in the morning,
look up at the sky and observe dark clouds,
observe the air is cool and humid, and observe
puddles on the ground, you might infer that it
has recently rained.

 Note: you did not see rain; you decided that it

rained based on your observations.
1.

2.

3.
Observations: Inferences:

 That plant is wilted.  The plant did not get

enough water.

 The car will not start.  The car is out of gas.

 The windows are open.  It was hot in the

classroom.
 On the next slide, state whether the statement is
an observation or an inference.
1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the
coin.
2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."
3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.
4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.
5. The coin was made in 1722.
6. The face on the coin is a representation of the
nation's president.
 What observations can
we make about this
picture?

 What can we infer

based on this picture?