Complete 2-3 separate outdoor sessions during the week. Choose an area that you can observe safely and comfortably and remain in for several minutes. Visit the same area at different times of day, in different weather conditions, looking from a different viewpoint, etc.
Observation format – work through each stage intentionally until it becomes routine for you. Spend at least 60 seconds on each question or directive. Keep notes in a field journal. It is not required to complete all the steps as outlined below but please be intentional about noticing and wondering.
Once in your observation location -
What do I notice?
What do I wonder?
What am I reminded of?
Focused observation
Choose something within your observation area to sketch and describe.
What did you learn about your choice while sketching and describing?
What questions came up while observing?
Reflection
Were you surprised by something you observed or your responses? Did anything unexpected happen?
What ideas did you have before your observation? Were these ideas supported?
What questions do you have?
Science, Observation and iNaturalist Assignment
Upload at least 3 observations to your iNaturalist account
Complete at least 3 journal entries in the Mass Audubon's Neighborhood Naturalist Online project. These entries can be from your observations and reflections in the field or about your experience using iNaturalist.
Read and comment on 2-3 entries from other participants
If you are unable or choose not to join iNaturalist, keep a field journal to record your observations with sketches and/or descriptions and written entries. Be sure to include location, date and time, and general weather conditions.
What is Science?
From the Latin "scientia," meaning knowledge
Science is the systematic and organized inquiry into the natural world and its phenomena to gain a deeper and more useful understanding of the world.
Science is done through observation of natural phenomena, and/or through experimentation that attempts to simulate natural processes under controlled conditions.
Science is not absolute eternal truth - it provides theories that are usually not provable only disprovable.
Scientific Process
Observe and ask questions
Create a hypothesis
Make predictions
Test predictions and gather data by observational study, field or controlled experiment.
Analyze and interpret data
Draw conclusions; starting point for new hypothesis
Communicate
Retest; generally done by others
Observation
Observation is instinctive.
We constantly take in information and assess the world around us.
Is it safe to cross the road?
Are the cookies done enough to take out of the oven?
Observation involves the acquisition of information through senses and/or instruments
Observation involves perception and attention – you are the easiest person to fool
Observation can involve recording of data
Qualitative data - absence or presence, descriptive
It is so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.
Quantitative data – measured numerical values
It is 110°F at 1:00pm on July 10, 2020.