Science Skills & Tools

Vocabulary flashcards covering key science terms from Page 1 notes.

Science

A study of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and evidence.

Observing

Using senses or instruments to gather information about objects, events, or processes.

Conclude

To reach a judgment or decision based on evidence and reasoning.

Qualitative observation

An observation that describes qualities (color, shape, texture) without numbers.

Quantitative observation

An observation that involves numerical measurements or quantities.

Inferring

Drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.

Predicting

Stating what will happen in the future based on patterns or evidence.

Classifying

Grouping objects or data according to shared properties.

Making models

Creating representations (physical, mathematical, or conceptual) to explain or predict phenomena.

Evaluating

Assessing the quality, methods, and reliability of an investigation.

Scientific inquiry

The ongoing process of asking questions, collecting evidence, and testing explanations.

Hypothesis

A testable, educated guess about a relationship between variables.

Variable

A factor that can be changed or controlled in an investigation.

Independent variables

Variables deliberately changed to test their effect.

Dependent variables

Variables measured to observe the effect of changes in the independent variable.

Controlled variables

Variables kept constant to prevent them from affecting the outcome.

Data

Observations or measurements collected during an investigation.

Scientific theory

A well-supported explanation of natural phenomena that explains many observations.

Scientific laws

Concise statements describing consistent relationships in nature, often expressed mathematically.

Model

A simplified representation used to explain, predict, or analyze a system.

gram

A unit of mass in the metric system

meter

A unit of length in the metric system

liter

A unit of volume in the metric system