Scientific Observations

Grade/Class: Grade 6 STEM

Context: Students learn about qualitative and quantitative observations in Science.

Learning: The Grade 6 students immersed themselves in the role of scientists, engaging in a series of experiential activities. They embarked on a sensory exploration, employing four of their five senses to make detailed visual, tactile, and auditory observations of "mystery items." By relying on sight and smell, and by attentively observing even the smallest details, they successfully discerned sugar from salt. They employed their hearing to attentively listen to various sound clips, drawing insightful conclusions about the distinct sounds, such as a lion's roar and a zipper being zipped. As a final task, the students blindfolded themselves and utilized their sense of touch to make educated guesses about two items—a pipe cleaner and a paper clip.

Following their sensory experimentation, the students delved into understanding the differences between qualitative and quantitative observations. Armed solely with a ruler and their senses, they meticulously observed a sponge and compiled a comprehensive list of their findings. Subsequently, they engaged in a collective discussion, discerning which observations were qualitative in nature and which were quantitative. The Grade 6 students emerged as genuine scientists, equipped with the skills to effectively navigate the remainder of the science curriculum.