Making Making ObservationsObservations

iLearn Science Session 2 of 8iLearn Science Session 2 of 8

Christine Kola and Valnn Christine Kola and Valnn SpearsSpears

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

•Before a student can Before a student can decide on a topic and decide on a topic and testable question, they testable question, they must first find something must first find something they want to learn about they want to learn about more.more.

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

•An observation is the An observation is the use of the five senses use of the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) to taste, and smell) to perceive something.perceive something.

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

•Anything living or non-Anything living or non-living can be a source living can be a source for students to make for students to make observations.observations.

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

•Students will use their Students will use their science journals to list science journals to list their observations. their observations.

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

• There are many opportunities for students to make There are many opportunities for students to make their observations:their observations:

• Science InstitutionsScience Institutions

– American Museum of Natural American Museum of Natural HistoryHistory

– Bronx Zoo and Staten Island ZooBronx Zoo and Staten Island Zoo– New York, Brooklyn, and Queens New York, Brooklyn, and Queens

Botanical GardensBotanical Gardens– New York Hall of ScienceNew York Hall of Science– New York Aquarium New York Aquarium

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

• Ideas students should keep in mind when Ideas students should keep in mind when making observations.making observations.

• What made you notice it?What made you notice it?• What does it look like?What does it look like?• How does it behave?How does it behave?• Did you ever see something like that before?Did you ever see something like that before?• Are you familiar with it?Are you familiar with it?• Can you make a connection with something Can you make a connection with something

else?else?• What do you want to learn more about?What do you want to learn more about?

Science Exit ProjectScience Exit Project

• Some common observations: Some common observations:

• ColorColor

• TextureTexture

• StructureStructure

• PatternPattern

• ShapeShape

• BehaviorBehavior

• Anything else that might catch their attentionAnything else that might catch their attention