SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS

By Sabrina Fiorini& Alexandra Bosch

There are three dimensions of science that are important when

understanding science process skills:First Dimension includes:• Content of Science• Basic concepts• Our scientific

knowledge

Second Dimension of Science

Process of Doing Science:• Ask questions• Used in our daily lives• Provides skills for the

future• Used in every area of

life

Third Dimension of Science

Science Attitudes:• Curiosity• Imaginative• Enthusiastic about

questions• Enthusiastic about

solving problems

Teaching Respect for Science Methods and Values:

• Seeking to answer questions

• Using evidence• Realizing importance of

rechecking data• Understanding science

theories can change• Understanding science

knowledge can change

Six Basic Process Skills:

• Observation• Communication• Classification• Measurement• Inference• Prediction

Six Basic Process Skills

• Are integrated together• Are also important individually

• Can be in logical order• Observation and communication

(Younger Students)• Inference and Predication

(Older Students)

Observation

• Fundamental science process skills

• Use of the five senses:1. Seeing2. Hearing3. Touching4. Smelling5. Tasting

Classification

Classify:• Places• Objects • Ideals• Events

Generate:• Lists • Tables• Charts

Measurement

Such as:• Length in meters• Volume in Liters• Mass in grams• Force in Newton's• Temperature in degrees

Celsius

Communication

May include:• Oral • Written• Mathematical• Organizing Ideas using: Visual representations Appropriate vocabulary Mathematical

equations

Inference

• Explanations or interpretations

• Follows an observation• Differs from an

observation• Can be modified• Are continuously being

constructed

Predicting

• Making an educated guess

• Forecasting future observations

• Based on observation• Based on inferences• Correct predictions • Provide confidence in

the inference

Experiment

• Testing a Hypothesis• Manipulation and

control of independent variables.

• Effects on dependant variables

• Interpret and present results

• Integrate process skills• Report

Inquiry

Includes:• Asking questions• Formulating a

procedure• Gathering empirical

data• Drawing conclusions

based on data• Carries out scientific

thinking

Examples of Science Process Activities

• Shaking a sealed can (Grades 1-2)

• Circuit game (Grade 3)• Dice-in-a-box (Grade 4)• Pattern experiments

(Grades 5-8)• Build your own lava

lamp

Integrated Science Process Skills

• Formulating hypotheses • Identifying variables• Defining variables

operationally• Describing relationships

between variables• Designing investigation• Experimenting

Integrated Science Process Skills Continued…

• Acquiring data• Organizing data in

tables and graphs• Analyzing investigations

and their data• Understanding cause

and effect relationships• Formulating models

LAB SAFETY!!!

• Distinguish “safe” vs. “unsafe” behaviors

• Identify safety symbols• Evaluate situations• Identify the proper

techniques• Handel lab emergencies • Use appropriate lab

equipment

Bibliography• Lancour, K. (n.d.). Training Guide . Retrieved

March 30, 2009, from http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/products/sci_olympiad/pslsl_training_hammond.pdf

• Science Process Skills: Classifying. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~adams001/ProcessSkills.htm

• Teaching The Science Process Skills. (2007, June 12). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva