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. Seeing
2. Hearing
3. Touching
4. Smelling
5. Tasting
 Classification
Classify: Generate:
Places Lists
Objects Tables
Ideals Charts
Events
 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/ProcessSk
ills.htm
Teaching The Science Process Skills. (2007, June
12). Retrieved March 30, 2009, from
http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva