---
title: "Changing Your Mind with Evidence"
description: "Use observations to check a prediction. When the result differs, record it, check the test and reconsider the idea. Expected results can provide useful evidence too."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/changing-your-mind-with-evidence-mt_obF-6VYRya
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/changing-your-mind-with-evidence-mt_obF-6VYRya.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Changing Your Mind with Evidence

Use observations to check a prediction. When the result differs, record it, check the test and reconsider the idea. Expected results can provide useful evidence too.

Subject: Science · Area: Scientific Inquiry · Ages 6 to 8
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/changing-your-mind-with-evidence-mt_obF-6VYRya

## Ready when they can

- Distinguish a prediction from the result that was observed or measured.
- Use checked results to reconsider an idea without discarding surprises or making an always-rule from one test.

## Lesson: Changing Your Mind with Evidence

A prediction is what you think will happen before you check. Evidence comes from what you observe or measure. Keep your prediction separate from the result. You can learn from a result whether it matches your prediction or surprises you.

**Example.** Ben predicts that an ice cube will stay solid for ten minutes outside. After ten minutes, he sees only water. He records the change. His prediction did not match this result. This observation alone does not tell him exactly what caused the melting.

*(drawing: Keep a surprising result in your notes while you check what happened.)*

Check that the tools worked and the test happened as planned. Repeat the test in the same way when you can. If checked results do not support your prediction, revise your idea. Record what this test showed. One test does not tell you what always happens.

**Recap.** Record the result, check the test and use the evidence to reconsider your idea.

*This lesson, its questions and flashcards were written for this dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Observation vs Interpretation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/observation-vs-interpretation-mt_Hw70LI5xza)

## Opens up

- [Could there be another explanation?](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/could-there-be-another-explanation-mt_QrVF5n7vci)
- [Analysing your own errors](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/analysing-your-own-errors-mt_TDUpy57QVM)