Filtering

About this page

Subby has become a prospector on page 66, pouring sand through a sieve until only the sparkling gems remain. This is filtering, one of the most honest pictures of what researchers actually do all day. Not every observation matters for the question you are asking, so you let the sand fall through and keep the treasure. Kids practice the same skill when they pick every red gummy bear out of the bag or fish their favorite blocks from the bin. Once children see it, they realize data is everywhere and so is the sand around it, and knowing the difference is the skill.

Talk about it while you color

• What do you think Subby will find hiding in the sand?
• If you had a magic sieve, what would you want it to catch for you?
• When you dig at the beach or sandbox, what treasures have you found?