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An observation activity to prepare for an Exploratorium Field Trip
Grades K–5
Your students will benefit from listening to each other to find out whether they remember the same or different things from the movie. Replaying parts of the movie reinforces the idea that it can be useful to look at something again to check your observations. With this age group, there is no need to have students take notes on their observations—they can be discussed aloud.
Grades 6–8
Your students may begin to notice patterns in what people observe and overlook, and what people observe and infer. The discussion will help them recognize the relevance of observations versus inferences to scientific investigations. They should be able to be deliberate about making careful observations at Exploratorium exhibits.
Grades 9–12
Distinguishing observations from inferences is a skill that is practiced and refined through adulthood. Your students can compare notes with each other and rewind the tape to determine whether they have made actual observations. High school students should be able to apply the skill of double-checking what really happened to observations they make at the Exploratorium as well as observations they make every day in and out of school.
This activity works well with students sitting in a circle with an open space in the middle.
Scientists always start by making careful observations. Examining things closely sometimes leads people to wonder about them. This is the beginning of scientific investigations! Scientists may all notice different things, but it is important that what they record is based on real observations, rather than inferences or opinions. On your trip to the Exploratorium, look again before you make an assumption. Ask yourself, “What do I really see happening?”
The California State Science Standards include observation skills as building blocks to scientific investigation for grades K–12.