Interactive Science Grade 6 lesson 1 and 2 Definitions

science

The systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation, involving disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics.

observing

The act of closely watching or monitoring phenomena to gain information and understanding about the natural world.

quantitative observation

An observation that describes characteristics or qualities using the senses without using numbers, such as color, shape, texture, or appearance.

qualitative observation

An observation describing non-numerical qualities or characteristics using the senses.

inferring

The process of drawing logical conclusions or formulating explanations about facts or events based on observations, evidence, and prior knowledge.

predicting

The process of making a detailed statement or forecast about what will happen in the future based on past experience, observed patterns, and empirical evidence.

classifying

The process of grouping items or information based on shared characteristics or similarities.

making models

the process of creating a simplified physical, mathematical, conceptual, or computational representation of a real-world system, object, or idea.

evaluating

to carefully judge, calculate, or determine the quality, value, amount, or importance of something

scientific investigation

a systematic, objective approach to asking and answering questions about the physical and natural world using evidence

skepticism

an attitude of doubt or a questioning approach toward claims, statements, or beliefs that lack strong evidence

personal bias

A personal bias is a subjective leaning, preference, or prejudice toward or against a person, thing, or group that unfairly influences how a person makes decisions and judges the world.

cultural bias

the tendency to judge, evaluate, or interpret human behavior, situations, and values through the restricted lens of one's own cultural background

experimental bias

a systematic error or distortion introduced into an experiment, often caused by a researcher's unconscious expectations or flaws in the study's design, data collection, and analysis

ethics

the branch of philosophy that studies what is morally right and wrong, good and bad

objective

a goal or target you plan to achieve, or a fact-based viewpoint that is completely free from personal feelings, bias, or emotion

subjective

based on or influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or tastes rather than observable facts

deductive reasoning

a logical process where you start with general rules or premises and apply them to reach a specific, certain conclusion

inductive reasoning

a logical process where you take specific observations or data and use them to form a broad, general conclusion