5th Grade - Science Lesson 1

____ facts that make you believe that something is true.

evidence

____ the use of scientific methods to test your hypothesis.

experiment

____ something you find out about objects, events, or living things using your senses.

observation

When measurements are consistently repeated.

precision

The Wright brothers' airplane, Flyer, had a wingspan of 12m. You build a model with a wingspan of 10cm. how many times larger is Flyer than your model?

...

inference

A conclusion based on observations.

Explain why a control group is important in an experiment?

A control group, gives a basis for knowing if a particular result is due to the variable being tested or to some other factor.

evidence

A set of observations that make you believe that something is true.

control group

A standard against which change is measured.

hypothesis

A statement of what you think will happen during an investigation.

Which statement about opinions is true? A) They are beliefs or value judgements. B) They are a valuable tool used by scientists. C) They are supported by research. D) They can be used to help write a hypothesis.

A) They are beliefs or value judgements.

precision

Ability to consistently repeat a measurement.

accuracy

Ability to make a measurement that is as close to the actual value as possible.

You are testing to see if music helps plants grow better. You divide the plants into four groups. Group A = jazz Group B = classical Group C = rock Group D = none What is group D called? A) the model group B) the control group C) the population group D) the experimental group

B) the control group

Name another tool scientists use that performs a similar function as a microscope. How is the tool different than a microscope?

Binoculars. Binoculars have two eye pieces and a microscope has one. Binoculars are also used to make far objects look bigger.

Which statement about a hypothesis is not true? A) A hypothesis is an explanation of what you think will happen. B) A hypothesis can be tested. C) A hypothesis is a written question. D) A hypothesis may be a true statement.

C) A hypothesis is written as a question.

_____ are observations from which a conclusion can be drawn A) Predictions B) Inventions C) Data D) Discoveries

C) Data

What is an observation? A) something that helps you measure B) something that has been made for the first time C) using senses to gather information D) new ideas or new understandings

C) using your senses to gather information.

As long as you read carefully through the instructions for a science activity, you will be safe.

False, there are many other steps to follow in addition to reading the instructions.

If you collect, organize, and interpret your data properly, you will always be able to draw a logical conclusion.

False, there may be data that needs to be tied to other data to draw a logical conclusion.

You watch your neighbors as they leave their apartment building. They have suitcases with them. They all get into the care and drive away. You think they are going on vacation. Is your thought a fact or an inference? Explain.

Inference, because I'm drawing my conclusion on what I see.

data

Information from which a conclusion can be drawn or a prediction can be made.

Suppose a friend wants to find out how many cute pets live in her neighborhood. Could this information be used in a scientific investigation? Why or why not?

No, because she is measuring cuteness which is an opinion and not an observation.

Why is it important that scientists communicate

One of the principles of the scientific method is that the experiment must be repeatable. Everything must be communicated so others can test the results.

experiment

The use of scientific methods to test your hypothesis.

Why is it important for scientists to repeat the investigations of other scientists?

Scientist repeat experiments for reliability. The experiment must be repeated for the scientist to develop a theory. One experiment does not prove your hypothesis correct therefore it must be done a several amount of times.

How do scientists collect and interpret data?

Scientists collect data with tools. Scientists organize data using tables and graphs. Scientists interpret and draw conclusions from the data they collect.

What do scientists do?

Scientists define a problem and try to find answers. Scientists make hypotheses and observations. Scientists draw conclusions based on their investigations.

Suppose a scientist wants to begin an investigation on water pollution. What resources should the scientist use to research water pollution? What are some examples of reliable resources?

Scientists should find sources reviewed and verified by other scientists using reference materials like books and scientific journals.

How do scientists use evidence in their investigations?

Scientists use evidence to draw conclusions and evaluate the hypothesis.

How do scientists support their conclusions?

Scientists use facts, not opinions, when drawing conclusions. Scientific investigations should be based on evidence. Other scientists must be able to replicate scientific investigations.

How do scientists investigate?

Scientists use many different types of scientistic investigations. Scientists use models, surveys, and sampling to gather data. Scientific methods and organized steps for doing an investigation.

variable

Something that can change in a test.

observation

Something you find out about objects, events, or living things by using your senses.

procedures

Step-by-step instructions for completing a task.

Suppose two scientists perform the same experiment separately, but their results are very different. What could they do to find out why this happened?

They can repeat the experiment doing each test the exact same way.

Why scientist will do exactly the same experiments that other scientists have done?

They do this to check whether or not the hypothesis is correct or they try something slightly different to see if they get the same results.

Why do scientists make hypotheses before beginning scientific investigations?

They write a hypotheses first to determine what they think will happen in an investigation.

A scientist's opinion is a valid source of information to use in a scientific investigation.

This statement is false because an opinion is not a reliable source of information. A reliable source of information must have been reviewed and verified by other scientists.

If you replicate another scientist's investigation and come up with very different results, it means you performed the experiement incorrectly.

This statement is false because it could mean the other scientist left out details in their procedures.

The only way to test a scientific hypothesis is to perform an experiment.

This statement is false because there is more than one way to test a hypothesis. Scientists use models, surveys, sampling and experiments.

The steps used in scientific methods must always be performed in the same order.

This statement is false because there is no single method for finding answers and it is not always possible to manipulate variables in a way that can answer the question.

A scientist can only replicate a scientific investigation if he or she has watched someone else perform it.

This statement is false because you can do it on your own by following the procedures.

Scientists make observations very carefully.

This statement is true because they can be sure the information they gather is reliable.

When measurements are close to a known measurement.

accuracy

____ a standard against which change can be measured.

control group

Information from which a conclusion can be drawn or a prediction can be made.

data

____ a statement of what you think will happen during a scientific investigation.

hypothesis

____ a conclusion based on evidence.

inference

____ step-by-step instructions for completing a task.

procedures

____ objects or ideas that represent things.

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