Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Nature Notes
A Nature Note is a detailed description of observations from the field. It is short (500-word limit). It is specific and connected to what you know about a topic (we call that background knowledge). Nature Notes add to scientific knowledge and pose interesting questions for future research.
When you create a Nature Note, you can learn a ton of information that will help you become an even better scientist. Scientific observation is a key skill for scientists, and it is both about looking really carefully and connecting what you are observing to your background knowledge.
As you build those skills, you will share them through your Nature Note.
Here’s what your Nature Note should include:
Background Knowledge
Scientific observation connects to relevant background information so be sure to include:
Reliable and cited background information that adds to the observation
An explanation of what is interesting or noteworthy based on the background information
Careful Observation
As evidence of your careful observation, your Nature Note should include:
An observation of a species or habitat that is interesting in some way
A detailed description of when and where the observation(s) happened
You can also include a visual like a photo or field sketch that helps explain what you saw.
Putting the Pieces Together
Putting your observation together with your background knowledge should result in at least one of the following:
A tentative claim about what might be happening, explaining how the observation and background knowledge are evidence to support your claim
OR...
A question about what might be happening, explaining how the observation and background knowledge led you to that question.
You can also describe an investigation you would do to learn more.