Science and Engineering Practices

Question 1

Scientific Method

Answer 1

The way scientist 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

Example:

• 10 meters
• 450 milliliters
• 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

Conclusion

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Control Variable

Answer 9

What must stay the same in the experiment

Question 10

Manipulated/Independent Variable

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Dependent/ Responding Variable

Answer 11

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

Question 12

C-E-R

Answer 12

Claim, evidence, and reasoning.

Question 13

Claim

Answer 13

Claim is the answer to the question you are trying to answer

Question 14

Evidence

Answer 14

Scientific data that supports your claim or the claim.

Question 15

Reasoning

Answer 15

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