Nature of Science Notes

This is a five-page document designed to provide an overview of the nature of science. (Scientific Method, inferences and observations, branches of science, what is within and outside the realm of science, and how science changes over time.) It is designed for upper elementary students.

I used this in my fourth grade classroom at the start of the year to introduce science as a field of study. I also use it as a review before state testing.

Before giving these to the students, I printed them out and trimmed them using a paper cutter. (I find teachers are faster with paper cutters than students are with scissors!) The students then pasted the notes in their science notebooks, read the notes, and discussed them. We spent about two hours discussing the nature of science.

Thanks for looking! I hope you find this useful. :)