Observation is the first step in the scientific process. Video clips provide an opportunity for students to make authentic scientific observations. Scientists often use video to enhance direct observations. With video, you can replay an event, see it in fast or slow motion, freeze action, make time-lapse observations, document changes, and focus on details.

1. Observe
Watch the video clips multiple times. Choose from the gallery of handouts to help your class document what they see and wonder. For example, the Word Collector can be used to build observation skills by collecting specific words:

• What nouns help you describe what you see in the video clips?
• What verbs describe the behaviors you see?
• What words describe the colors you see?

2. Wonder
It is common, during a rich observation period, for many good questions to come to mind. Have students use a different color pen to take notes each time a clip is viewed. Discuss how mulitple viewings helped them capture detailed observations and thoughtful questions.

Each individual sees and interprets things differently. Come together with your class and compare notes. Watch how your ideas expand after sharing with the group. View the clip again several times so you can see the new things other people noticed, and the questions they had.

3. Hypothesize
After observing events, scientists try to explain what they have seen by forming a hypothesis, a possible explanation. The scientist's next step is experimentation, collecting data to test out the hypothesis. Have students think about how their observations could be explained. Extend their learning by challenging them to form a hypothesis and design an experiment.