Science Terms and Definitions

Study Notes

Variable: Any condition that can be changed in an experiment
Palaeontologist: A scientist that studies fossil remains of dinosaurs
Meteorologist: A scientist that makes predictions about the weather
Communication: The sharing of information
Opinion: A personal belief or judgment that does not need to be backed up with evidence

Observation: The Megalodon shark has massive teeth reaching 7 inches in length and can grow up to 60 feet long
Inference: The Megalodon are an extinct species of shark
Opinion: The Megalodon shark is a fascinating creature that must have been a formidable predator in the ocean ecosystem

Step 1: Make an Observation - Maggots appeared on rotting meat
Step 2: Asking Questions - Where did the maggots come from?
Step 3: Propose a Hypothesis - Maggots may come from fly's eggs
Step 4: Make a Prediction - If the meat is placed in a sealed jar, maggots will not appear
Step 5: Conduct an Experiment - Redi placed meat in two sets of jars, one covered with gauze and one left open
Step 6: Draw a Conclusion - Maggots come from fly's eggs, not from the meat itself, thereby disproving the theory of spontaneous generation

Good weather predictions are important for planning and preparing for natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tsunamis
Accurate weather forecasts can help prevent loss of life and property
Good weather predictions can also help farmers plan and prepare for planting and harvesting crops

What happens to plant growth when we give them different amounts of water? - Experiment
How do birds move from one place to another throughout the year? - Observation
How can we predict the movement of a boat in different types of water currents? - Experiment and Modeling

The world's scariest animal is subjective and can vary from person to person
Some might think it's the Megalodon shark due to its massive size and predatory nature
Others might think it's the venomous inland taipan snake due to its deadly venom and agility