Scientists use various process skills like observation, estimation, measurement, inference, prediction, interpretation, and explanation to study objects and events in science. Some key skills are observing using the 5 senses and tools, estimating and then precisely measuring quantities, inferring conclusions from facts and prior knowledge, and predicting future outcomes based on observations and data. Scientists work together to analyze data and form explanations for natural phenomena like hurricanes.

1. Sep 2013 Ch 1 Lesson 2
What
skills do
scientists
?use

2. Scien
ce
Skills

3. Scientists use process skills to
learn about objects, places, or
events.
Observation is a process skill.
Observe = When you use your
five senses to find out about
.something

4. Your senses include
sight hearing
touch taste
smell

6. Scientists often use tools to
make observations.
A satellite is a tool that helps
scientists observe Earth`s
.weather

8. Data from satellites are often
.displayed on weather maps
.Hurricanes are strong storms

9. Weather map

11. Estimat
e and
Measur
e

12. Scientists sometimes estimate when
they make observations.
Estimate to make a careful guess.
A scientist might feel the wind
pushing hard against his body.
He might estimate that the wind is
blowing about 70 or 80 kilometers
.per hour

13. To find the exact wind speed,
the scientist would make a
measurement.
A measurement = a number that
tells how much or how many.
Scientists often use tools to
.measure

14. Anemometer is a tool that
.measure the speed of the wind

15. Infer
and
Predic
t

16. Some data and observations are
facts. For example,the
statement
‘’The wave crashed into the pier’’
fact
you can use facts to infer, or
.draw a conclusion

17. Scientists infer what they think
is happening based on:
1 - what they observe
(or)
2 - prior knowledge.
, For example

18. A scientist observing the waves
in the picture might infer that a
.hurricane is coming on shore

21. Observations also can help you to
predict.
Predict = tell what you think will
happen in the future.
,For example

22. A scientist might predict that
the waves will get bigger as the
hurricane . gets closer to shore

23. Interpre
t and
Explain
Data

24. Scientists work together to
interpret their data and form
scientific explanations.
:
:A good explanation uses
observations,
inferences,
prior knowledge,
measurements, and
. data from an investigation

25. Scientists are trying to develop
the ability to forecast when
.hurricanes will form

27. They use:
observations
weather data
their knowledge of past storms
to predict where hurricanes will
strike and how strong they will
.be
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