Studying Earth Science

Chapter One: Science is Everywhere

• 1.1 Learning about Science

• 1.2 Observing the World

• 1.3 Using the Scientific Method

Investigation 1A

• How can we measure the rate at which water is flowing?

Measuring Flow Rate

1.2 Observing the World

• An observation is an accurate description of a thing or an event.

• “The sky is blue” is an observation.

What observations can you make about this picture?What observations are hard to make from a picture?

1.2 Observation vs. Opinion

• An observation is: – It is raining.

• An opinion is: – I like rain!

1.2 Using all of your senses

Each of these senses is valuable in making observations:1. seeing2. hearing3. touching4. tasting5. smelling

1.2 Recording Observations• Observations from experiments are written in a

notebook—an important tool in science.• The science process helps you know what to

write.

1.2 Recording Observations

• First you record your observations, a question, and a hypothesis.

• Then you record the experiment procedure and data.

• Data can be descriptions or measurements.

• You write your conclusions last.

1.2 Recording Observations• Now your experiment can be repeated by you or

by other people because you have recorded everything you did!

1.2 Using tools

Activity

• In order to be a good scientist, you must practice the skill of making observations.

Observing the World Around You