Observation vs. Inference
Thursday March 31st 2016
Thursday March 31st 2016
O WARM-UP
O Look at this drawing.
O Discuss as a table group.
O What do you notice and what do you think happened?
O TODAY IN SCIENCE
O Observations vs. Inferences
O Puzzle Activity
How does your story change?
How does your story change?
Learning Targets
O I can tell the difference between
observation and inference.
O I can construct explanations using
evidence.
Observation
O Information you gather using one of your five
senses or scientific tools and instruments.
O Someone else would likely make the same
observation.
O What are some observations?
Inference
O A conclusion drawn using observations and
reasoning.
O NOT a fact you can detect using your five
senses.
O What are some inferences?
Influences
O Several things can influence our
observations and inferences.
O Experience
O Knowledge
O Emotion
O Attention to Detail
PracticeO Make 3 observations and 2 inferences
about this picture.
Puzzle ActivityUsing observations to make inferences
Part #1O Remove 20 pieces of the puzzle from the
envelope.
O Examine the pieces of the puzzle.
O Make a hypothesis about the complete
scene or picture of your puzzle.
O Identify key observations (aka evidence)
used to support your hypothesis.
Inference vs Observation
Hypothesis #1:
Key observations/evidence:
Part #2O Remove an additional 20 pieces of the puzzle from
the envelope.
O Examine the pieces of the puzzle.
O Retain or revise or develop a new hypothesis.
O Again identify key evidence.
Observation vs Inference
Hypothesis #1:
Key observations/evidence:
Hypothesis #2:
Key Evidence
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Part #3O Elect 2-3 members of your group to visit
other groups to observe the group’s puzzle
pieces, hypothesis and evidence.
O One member must stay at the table.
Part #3O When member returns to group, work
together to develop a final inference and the
evidence you’ve accumulated to support it.
Final Inference:
Accumulated Evidence:
Share
Debrief
1. What evidence was most useful in developing and evaluating your inference?
2. Was any information misleading and result in development of a inference that had to be rejected as new evidence was found?
3. Did any personal biases within your group influence the development and evaluation of one or more of your inference?
4. What degree of certainty do you have about your final inference? Why?
Wrap-up
O Observation or inference?
Wrap-up
O Observation or inference?
Wrap-up
O How did this activity model the process of
science used as individuals to seek answers
to questions and problems?