Grade 4 · Science · Unit 8 of 8
Evidence & Data
Observe, measure and decide what the evidence shows
What your child practises
Children tell observations from inferences, plan fair tests, record data, and see how evidence supports or changes an idea. This also builds the skills used in every other science unit.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: 4SM 1.1, 4SM 1.2 · observations, inferences, fair tests and using data as evidence
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Two groups tested paper towels. One used 100 mL of water and the other used 50 mL. Why is this unfair?
🧻- both groups wrote notes
- both used a table
- the amount of water was not the same
- both groups used paper towels
Show answer
the amount of water was not the same
Hint: Everything except the thing you test must stay the same.
Question 2
Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities hold knowledge built from…
🪶- reading one book
- careful observation over many generations
- one afternoon
- guessing
Show answer
careful observation over many generations
Hint: Elders and knowledge keepers share what they have observed over a very long time.
Question 3
What is evidence in science?
🔍- an opinion only
- a guess with no data
- a rumour
- information from observations or measurements
Show answer
information from observations or measurements
Hint: Evidence helps show whether an idea is true.
Question 4
A claim says: 'Heavier objects fall faster.' A test drops a heavy ball and a light ball together and they land at the same time. What does the evidence suggest?
🏀- the test is useless
- weight alone does not decide how fast they fall
- the claim is proved
- gravity is turned off
Show answer
weight alone does not decide how fast they fall
Hint: Evidence can show that a claim is not fully correct.
Question 5
You see small paw prints in the snow. Which is an inference?
🐾- there are four toe marks
- the snow is white
- the prints are small
- a fox walked here
Show answer
a fox walked here
Hint: An inference uses clues to make an idea.
Question 6
Is it an observation or an inference? Tap an item, then tap its basket.
Sort into: 👀 observation · 💭 inference
- 🌡️the water measured 20 degrees
- 🌱the plant is 12 cm tall
- ❄️it was cold in the night
- 🧲the magnet picked up 5 paper clips
- 💧the plant needs more water
- 🐇a rabbit made these tracks
Show answer
👀 observation: the water measured 20 degrees, the plant is 12 cm tall, the magnet picked up 5 paper clips · 💭 inference: it was cold in the night, the plant needs more water, a rabbit made these tracks
Hint: An observation is what you see, hear, feel or measure. An inference is a sensible idea about why.