Introduction to Science Slides & Guided Notes | Nature of Science

Start your school year with confidence using this engaging Introduction to Science lesson! This ready-to-use resource introduces students to the nature of science while building the foundational science skills they will use throughout the year.

Designed for middle school science classrooms, this lesson explores what science is, how scientists investigate questions, collect and analyze data, and communicate their findings using evidence. The presentation includes discussion prompts and student practice opportunities to encourage active participation and critical thinking.

What's Included

• 18-slide Google Slides presentation

• 3-page student guided notes

• 3-page teacher answer key

• Ready-to-print PDF files

• Editable Google Slides presentation

Topics Covered

• What is science?

• Characteristics of science

• Scientific questions

• Testable vs. non-testable questions

• Scientific investigations

• Independent, dependent, and controlled variables

• Qualitative vs. quantitative data

• Organizing data with tables

• Graphing scientific data

• Drawing conclusions

• Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER)

Perfect For

• Beginning of the school year

• Introduction to science units

• Nature of Science lessons

• Scientific Method review

• Middle school science classrooms

• Emergency sub plans

• Student review

Grade Levels

Grades 6–8 (can also be adapted for advanced Grade 5 or introductory high school science).

Standards Alignment

• Colorado Academic Standards

• NGSS Science & Engineering Practices

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Minimal prep-just assign or present

• Clean, professional design

• Editable Google Slides

• Student-friendly guided notes

• Teacher answer key included

• Encourages discussion and scientific thinking

• Builds foundational science skills for the entire year