Scientific Inquiry or How to Write a Testable
Scientific Inquiry -or. How to Write a Testable Question Tamara Helfer, 2012 Sequoia Science Explorations
You Try - Good or Bad? ? ____ Does Monster taste better than Red Bull? ____ Which flowers are prettier, roses or daisies? ____ Do cats make better pets than dogs? _____ What conditions affect productivity while doing homework? G = Good B = Bad
Sample Testable Question Does changing __________ affect ______________ going down the ramp?
What is an Independent Variable? • The variable that will be ______ by you – the scientist. A good experiment has only ______ independent variable!
What is a Dependent Variable? • The variable that is being _____ in your experiment. The response to the change you make using the independent variable.
Another Testable Question • Does changing the amount of light affect the growth rate of plants? Circle the INDEPENDENT variable Underline the DEPENDENT variable
Another Testable Question • Does the temperature of water affect the time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve? Circle the INDEPENDENT variable Underline the DEPENDENT variable
Review: Testable Questions need 2 parts: (1) _________ variable (2) _________ variable
Make the Question Testable • Now select one independent variable and one dependent variable Testable Question: How does _______________________ affect _______________.
What are the controls? “How does the type of paper affect the distance a paper airplane flies? ” Controls:
On Your Own • Take a slip of paper out of the envelope. • Determine the independent and dependent variable. • Record the controls for your experiment. • Share with your group to see if they agree or have suggestions.
On Your Own • independent variable: • controls:
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