Science and Engineering Practices

Question 1

Scientific Method

Answer 1

The way scientists study and learn about the world.

Question 2

Observation

Answer 2

Using your five senses to gather information about something.

Question 3

Qualitative Observation

Answer 3

Using your senses to describe the characteristics of an object-color, texture, taste.

Examples:

• Smooth texture
• Brightly colored
• Smells Bad

Question 4

Quantitative Observation

Answer 4

Using numbers or measurements to describe something.

Examples:

• 10 meters
• 450 millimeters
• 176 grams

Question 5

Inference

Answer 5

An explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

A prediction based on prior knowledge. Always written in an if then statement.

Example:

IF I put the ice cube in the sun,
THEN the ice cube will melt.

Question 7

Variable

Answer 7

Any factor that can be manipulated, controlled for, or measured in an experiment.

Question 8

Control Variable

Answer 8

What we must stay the same in the experiment.

Question 9

Manipulated/Independent Variable

Answer 9

The things that you are testing or changing in an experiment and it is graphed on the X-axis.

Question 10

Dependent/Responding Variable

Answer 10

What you are measuring or observing in an experiment and it is graphed on the Y-axis.

Question 11

C-E-R

Answer 11

Claim
Evidence
Reasoning

Question 12

Evidence

Answer 12

Scientific data that supports your claim

Question 13

Reasoning

Answer 13

The how or why the evidence supports our claim; scientific rule.

Question 14

Conclusion

Answer 14

A written summary of an experiment that uses evidence to prove what you learned.

Question 15

Claim

Answer 15

Is the answer to the question you are trying to answer.