​Objective: To recognize that all scientific inquiry starts with careful observation and leads to a testable question.

​The Big Idea: Before you can solve a problem, you have to notice that it exists. Think like a detective: look, listen, and pay close attention to your surroundings.

Your Mission

​1. Read

Think about the difference between an observation (something you can see, hear, or touch) and an inference (a conclusion based on what you observed).

​2. Practice

Pick one thing in your life that's been on your mind. Maybe your car makes a new sound, your dog is acting differently, or your computer is slow. On the next slide write down at least three pure observations about.

​3. Formulate a Question

Based on your observations, on the next slide write down one clear, specific question that you can investigate. Make sure it's a question you can actually try to answer.