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Science Launch G3 / Week 06 / Tuesday
2/6
Week 06 · Family Traits

Tuesday

Giraffe spot data
// Like parent, like young
⏱ about 15 min

Tuesday: Giraffe Spot Data

Nova projects photos of giraffe mothers and their calves in the air. "Real scientists took these," she says.

Rocket points. "That calf has round spots, just like its mom!"

Raven tilts her head. "What do you notice about the edges of the spots too?"

Nova hums. "Scientists asked that same question," she says. "Let's see what they found."

A real giraffe study

Scientists at a university studied wild giraffe mothers and their calves.

They measured the shapes of the spots in photos.

They found two traits that were alike in mothers and calves.

One trait was how round the spots are. The other was how smooth the spot edges are.

This data is evidence that calves inherit some spot traits from their mothers.

Data means facts and measurements we collect to answer a question.

WHAT DID THE SCIENTISTS FIND?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which spot trait was alike in mothers and calves?
What was the other trait?
HOW THE SCIENTISTS WORKED
  • ?Measure the spot shapes.
  • ?Take photos of mothers and calves.
  • ?Share what they found.
  • ?Compare mothers with their calves.
  • ?Ask a question about giraffe spots.
WHY THIS EXERCISEScientists ask, collect data, compare it, then share what they learn.
Facts and measurements we collect are called what?
WHY THIS EXERCISEData is what scientists collect to answer a question.

Evidence from data

Evidence is what we use to show something is true.

The giraffe scientists did not just guess. They measured spot shapes in photos.

Their data showed calves had spot shapes like their mothers.

So their data is evidence that some spot traits are inherited.

THINKING LIKE THE GIRAFFE SCIENTISTS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Why did the scientists measure the spots instead of just looking?
Whose spots did they compare with each calf?
What did the data show about spot roundness?
StatementTrue or false?
The scientists studied wild giraffes.?
They measured spot shapes in photos.?
Their data showed calves never look like mothers.?
Data can be evidence.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe data showed calves share spot traits with their mothers.
Facts and measurements are called ____.
Calves can ____ spot traits from mothers.
Besides roundness, which spot trait was alike? Type one word.
WHY THIS EXERCISEHow smooth the spot edges are was alike in mothers and calves.

You read real science today! Tomorrow you collect your own data about seeds.

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