Science and Engineering Practices Vocabulary

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

Examples:

• 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

Control Variable

Answer 8

What must stay the same in the experiment.

Question 9

Manipulated/Independent Variable

Answer 9

The thing 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

Claim

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Evidence

Answer 13

Scientific data that supports your claim.

Question 14

Reasoning

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Conclusion

Answer 15

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