The document discusses making observations and highlights the difference between casual and scientific observations. It notes that scientific observations are factual, systematic, repeatable, recorded, quantifiable when possible and can lead to questions and hypotheses. The document also lists some factors that can impact observations like location, duration, time of year, experience and tools used. Finally, it discusses how scientists record observations using techniques like drawing, graphing, mapping, photographing and interpreting what can be learned from the data collected.

2. WARM-UP What do you notice about your environment? Record your observations.

3. What did you observe? What senses did you use? What tools did you use? What tools could you use to more detailed observations? Share & Discuss

4. KEY QUESTIONS

5. What observations do soccer players make during a game? What actions might they take, based on their observations? Observations are a way to gather information. Photo credit here © Corbis / Superstock

6. Observations can determine the difference between life and death. © Chris Johns/ National Geographic Images © James L. Stanfield / National Geographic Images

7. Powers of observation can vary greatly. Eagles have amazing eyesight. They can focus in two places at once, forward and to the side. Bloodhounds are superior sniffers. Millions of olfactory cells help them trace scents. Dolphins can “see” using feedback from soundwaves. This complex sensory system is known as echolocation . © Norbert Wu/Minden Pictures © Alaska Stock Images © James L. Stanfield / National Geographic Images

8. How have humans enhanced their powers of observation? © Mark Christmas / National Geographic Society © Dan Westergren/National Geographic Images; © David Doubillet / National Geographic Images;

9. KEY QUESTIONS

10. Take a look. Is this observation casual or scientific? © Gene J. Puskar/AP Images

11. Random Inferred Unsystematic Not recorded Missing specific details (e.g. “It is cold outside.”) Casual Observations Can you think of an example of a casual observation?

12. Factual Systematic, repeatable Recorded Shared Quantifiable, when possible Lead to the formation of questions and hypotheses Detailed (e.g. “The air temperature is 6 o Fahrenheit .”) Scientific Observations Can you think of an example of a scientific observation?

13. Take another look. Is this observation casual or scientific? © Gene J. Puskar/AP Images

14. KEY QUESTIONS

15. Here are some factors: Location Duration Time of year Time of day Experience Knowledge Tools Timing Can you think of any others? © David Cappaert; © Tim Layman/National Geographic Images; © Greg Marshall/National Geographic Society Remote Imaging

16. KEY QUESTIONS

17. Scientists use multiple techniques to record their observations. Describe it Draw it Graph it Map it Photograph it Videotape it Audiotape it Shown: Research on emperor penguin feeding behaviors. Data and images collected in Antarctica by Paul Ponganis and Greg Marshall.

18. Next, observations are interpreted. What can be learned from the graph? What do the images reveal? © Greg Marshall/National Geographic Society Remote Imaging

19. Now Try Again What do you notice about your environment? Practice making and recording scientific observations!

20. What did you observe? What senses did you use? Share & Discuss Did factors such as time, location, tools, or knowledge impact your observations? © David Doubilet/National Geographic Images