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Science Superpower: questioning
Science Superpower: questioning
In science, there are superpowers or skills that scientists need to do well. The second is "questioning" which we will start exploring today.
It takes time to build up to a good science question. To start with, brainstorm questions like these kids on this podcast with a NASA scientist.
In this course we will learn how to turn questions into testable scientific claims and hypotheses. For example, the question about what Europa tastes like is a good one because we can measure building-block of life chemicals on Europa. NASA is sending the Clipper to answer a similar one in a more scientific way: what life-supporting chemicals can the Europa Clipper "sniff" in its atmosphere?
Watch the video Asking Scientific Questions.
The best scientific questions are:
Testable: by seeing if the evidence supports the hypothesis or claim
Measurable: by direct observation or scientific tools
Relational: by studying the connections between phenomena
The word phenomena means things in nature that can be observed that are unusual or difficult to explain.
Do the activity Asking Scientific Questions about Europa's Habitability by tapping the document to open. Print and write the answers or use Google classroom.
From the desk of Hannah Robinson
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