Science and Engineering Vocabulary

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.

Question 4

Quantitative Observation

Answer 4

Using numbers or measurements to describe something.

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.

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 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

Claim

Answer 11

Is the answer to the question you are

trying to answer.

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.