Q1 2.2 Observations and Questions

Making Observations

Asking Questions

Examples

Click on each phenomenon to see examples of scientific observations and questions related to it.

• Use your senses to gather information.
• Stick to the facts—observations should be based on evidence, not opinions.

• Use both types of observations:

• Quantitative – Can be measured or counted (e.g., "The rock weighs 200 grams").

• Qualitative – Describes characteristics that can’t be measured (e.g., "The rock is rough and gray").

• Your questions can be based off your observations.
• Ask about something testable – A good scientific question can be investigated through experiments, observations, or research.
• Use “how,” “what,” or “why” – These words help create open-ended questions that lead to deeper investigation.
• They should not be able to be answered with a "yes" or "no."

Image/Gif source: https://www.ngssphenomena.com/

Observations

1. The ladybug has two large dots behind its head.
2. There are black wings underneath the spotted ones.

Questions

1. Why does the ladybug have two sets of wings?
2. Do the dots help the ladybug survive?

Observations

1. Only one biker is lying flat across their bike.
2. The biker that is lying flat is passing the others.

Questions

1. How is that biker passing the others?
2. Does laying across a bike make it go faster?

Observations

1. The ladybug has two large dots behind its head.
2. There are black wings underneath the spotted ones.

Questions

1. Why does the ladybug have two sets of wings?
2. Does the dot pattern serve a purpose?

Observations

1. A strawberry is a flower in its early stages.
2. The strawberry is green before it turns red.

Questions

1. How does a flower turn into a strawberry?
2. How does it turn from green to red?

Observations

1. Only one biker is lying flat across their bike
2. The biker that is lying flat is passing the others

Questions

1. How is that biker passing the others?
2. Does laying across a bike make it go faster?

Observations

1. A strawberry is a flower in its early stages.
2. The strawberry is green before it turns red.

Questions

1. How does a flower turn into a strawberry?
2. How does it turn from green to red?