Classifying — arranging or distributing objects,, events,or information representing objects or events in classes

according to some method or system

Communicating — giving oral and written explanations or graphic representations of observations

Comparing and contrasting — identifying similarities and differences between or among objects,,events,data, systems,etc.

Creating models — displaying information,,using multisensory representations

Gathering and organizing data — collecting information about objects and events which illustrate a specific

situation

Generalizing — drawing general conclusions from particulars

Identifying variables — recognizing the characteristics of objects or factors in events that are constant or change

under different conditions

Inferring — drawing a conclusion based on prior experiences

Interpreting data — analyzing data that have been obtained and organized by determining apparent patterns or

relationships in the data

Making decisions — identifying alternatives and choosing a course of action from among the alternatives after

basing the judgment for the selection on justifiable reasons

Manipulating materials — handling or treating materials and equipment safely,,skillfully,and effectively

Measuring — making quantitative observations by comparing to a conventional or nonconventional standard

Observing — becoming aware of an object or event by using any of the senses ((or extensions of the senses)to

identify properties

Predicting — making a forecast of future events or conditions expected to exist

Note:As an example,these processes are applied in the three key ideas in Standard 1,which outline scientific inquiry.Inquiry

may proceed in a cyclical pattern,with students moving from Key Idea 1 to Key Idea 3 and back to 1 again.