The Process Skills: The Key to Success

The processes of environment and science that students use to carry out hands-on and minds-on investigation and experiments are the focus of inquiry-based learning. Brief descriptions of these processes are:

Observing - the use of the five senses to gather data about objects and events

Communicating – the use of the spoken and written words, graphs, drawings, and diagrams to share information and ideas with others

Comparing – the use of observations to ascertain similarities and differences in objects and events

Classifying – grouping objects or events according to similar properties

Measuring – the use of standard or nonstandard units to determine length, mass, volume, time, etc.

Predicting – the use of data to forecast future events based on observations and inferences

Inferring – the use of a logical thought process to show a relationship between observations or provide an explanation of an observation

Defining Operationally – a definition framed in terms of your experiences

Formulating Models – developing a conceptual or physical representation of an object or event

Investigating

Formulating hypotheses – making an educated guess about the relationship of manipulated and responding variable that can be tested experimentally
Controlling Variables – identifying and controlling variable in order to determine their effect on the outcome of an experiment
Experimenting – hypothesizing, designing an experiment to test the hypothesis, controlling variables, interpreting the data collected, and drawing conclusions
Interpreting Data – analyzing and synthesizing data in order to draw a conclusion
Relating – the use of a logical thought process to determine the relationships involving interactions, dependencies, and cause-and-effect between and among objects and events
Applying – the use of a logical thought process to put scientific knowledge to use

Ostlund, Karen and Mercier, Sheryl (1999). S&K Associates