SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS
Science is about asking questions and finding answers. People who are involved in science are
called scientists. Scientists try to solve problems and explain them in a step-by-step manner.
Each step is called a process. What processes do scientists apply in their investigations?
How do these processes help them solve problems or explain events?
Observing
Observing is a basic process skill that makes use of one or more senses. These sense organs
are used to gather pieces of information and evidence.
Observing is the first step in doing science experiments. This process
helps you describe objects and events. Using your eyes, you can describe an object's
characteristics such as its color, size, and shape.
Your ears help describe the sound you hear whether
it is loud or soft. Your nose is sensitive to the smell around you. Your skin enables you to
describe texture and temperature. Your tongue helps you distinguish different tastes such as
sweet, bitter, sour, and salty.
Observing helps you raise questions about the things around you such as:
"Why are elephants big?"
"Why is the sky blue?"
"Why is sugar sweet?"
comparing
Comparing means identifying which characteristics are similar and different between objects.
If you were asked to compare the two objects on the right, you would probably say that both
objects are round and that they have the same color. However, they may differ in size: the paper
plate is big and the cotton balls, small.
Classifying
Classifying is grouping or organizing objects and events based on their properties,
characteristics, or traits. It is a process of examining properties common to a set of objects. It is
important for scientists to group organisms properly, such as plants and animals, in order to
understand them better.
Inferring
Science tries to seek answers to many things around us. It seeks answers to when, how, and
why things happen. Inferring is a science process that seeks to explain one or more
observations. It also means giving interpretation to what are perceived by the senses. It is also
influenced by one's experiences in life.
Communicating
Communicating means expressing one's ideas, insights, and suggestions. It is also sharing
results and findings of a study or an investigation. When you communicate, you give and
receive information.
Tools such as pictures, symbols, tables, charts, and graphs are used to help in communicating
and organizing data.
Science laboratories communicate safety reminders using pictures and symbols. When you see
these images, you are reminded what to do and not to do. The following images mean:
Mass
Mass is the amount of matter in an object.
What is the mass of your science book? To answer this question, you use a measuring
instrument called a platform balance. The mass of an object is expressed in grams (g).
This volleyball has a mass of 200 g when inflated and 100 g when
deflated.
Temperature
Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is. You use a thermometer to check the
temperature of your body or a material. A clinical thermometer is used in clinics and hospitals. A
laboratory thermometer is used in school science laboratories.
When you are sick, your body temperature is slightly higher than normal. The normal body
temperature is 37 degrees Celsius (°C). At 38°C, you already have a fever.
During the summer months, the temperature of the surroundings ranges from 32°C to 42°C,
while water begins to freeze at 0°C!
Volume
Volume is the amount of space occupied by a substance.
There are many instruments that scientists use to measure specific volumes including
graduated cylinder, buret, or pipette.
Properties of Matter
Do you remember the fable of the thirsty crow?
The crow found a pitcher with little water in it. Since it could not reach the water to drink, the
crow dropped pebbles into the pitcher to raise the water inside. The crow was then able to drink.
What does this fable tell us about matter? It illustrates one basic property of matter: matter
occupies space. It also proves that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same
time. This explains why the water in the pitcher rose. As the pebbles occupied the lower portion
of the pitcher, the water rose and occupied the upper portion.
Matter Has Mass
Mass is the amount of matter that an object contains. The more mass an object has, the heavier
it is. The less mass an object has, the lighter it is.
Your books have mass. Are they light or
heavy?
Mass is often associated with weight, but they are not the same.
Keep in mind that weight is the pull of gravity on an object.
You have the same mass wherever you go, but your weight may change. If you happen to go to
Mars, your mass will remain the same, but your weight will not. The pull of gravity in space is
different from the pull of gravity on Earth. The stronger pull of gravity will give you more weight.
Earth
Mars
Mass: 50 kg
Weight: 490 N
Mass: 50 kg
Weight: 185.5 N
Settom
This astronaut has a weight of 185.5 N on Mars and 490 N on Earth.
Which do you think has a stronger pull of gravity-Mars or Earth?
LET'S LINK TO ENGINEERING
Differentiated
Instruction
Aerogel, also known as frozen smoke, is currently the lightest solid material ever made. A
human-size aerogel weighs less than a kilogram but can support almost 400 kg of mass. The
aerogel is a foam-like material that can reduce heat. This was discovered by a researcher from
Stanford University in the 1930s.
Read more about aerogel and identify its applications that can be beneficial to you and to your
family. You may (l) compose a song, (2) make a brochure, or
(3) make a graphic organizer about this.
Matter Has Volume
Volume is the amount of space occupied by
an object. Your school desk has volume. It occupies a space in your classroom. You and your
classmates have volume. You take up a considerable space anywhere you go.
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Always remember that only one object can occupy a particular space at a particular time. Thus,
a notebook and a pencil cannot be at the same place at the same time.
Which occupies more space on your school desk, your notebook or your pencil? Why do you
say so?
Other Properties of Matter
Matter may also be described and sorted based on its physical characteristics, such as shapes,
colors, and how easily it flows.
What are the shapes of the wooden toys?
How will you sort the crayons?
How easily do the liquid and vapor flow?
Lesson 2 States of Matter
Matter is made up of small particles. The arrangement ofthese particles affects the properties of
matter.
Solid
A solid is an object that has a definite shape and volume. An apple, a block of wood, and a
mobile phone are all solids.
The particles that make up a solid object are very close to one another. They are tightly packed
and do not make a lot of movements. This is because the space between the particles is too
small to allow any movement. This arrangement of particles gives solids a definite shape and
volume.
Look around you. What solid objects can
you see? Can you name five of them?
A liquid has a definite volume but no definite shape. It must be placed in a container, such as a
glass or bottle, to have a shape. Water, milk, and fruit juice are all liquids.
liquid particles
Liquids flow easily. When you pour milk into a glass, it follows the shape of the glass. If you
transfer milk into a bottle, it will follow the shape of the bottle.
The particles of a liquid are not as tightly packed as those of a solid.
Liquid particles can move around and slide past each other much more freely than solid
particles.
What liquids can you see in the school canteen? Can you name three of them?
Gas
A gas has no definite shape and volume. The particles of a gas are very far apart from one
another, thus they can move around freely. Like liquids, gases easily flow.
They take the shape of its container and fill up the available space in the container. Gas
particles fill party balloons and car tires.
Try taking a deep breath. What do you feel? As you breathe, air that contains oxygen gas fills
your lungs. The oxygen gas that enters your lungs has no definite shape or volume.