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: