Notes Science Tennessee SPI Objective: SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Tennessee SPI Objective: Design a simple experimental procedure with an identified control and appropriate variables. Instructions for Students 1) Make sure you view this presentation in slideshow mode. 2) Press the right-arrow button on your keyboard to advance through this presentation. 3) If you need help, please communicate with your teacher. Essential Learning Students will examine the steps of the scientific method and key components of experiments to include independent and dependent variables, and controls. Check for Understanding Design and conduct an open-ended scientific investigation to answer a question that includes a control and appropriate variables.

(Variables and Controls) SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Notes Science Variables and Controls in Experiments Used with the scientific method Step 1: Make Observations Step 2: Ask A Question Step 3: Form A Hypothesis Step 4: Test The Hypothesis By doing experiments Step 5: Analyze The Results Step 6: Draw Conclusions Step 7: Communicate results Scientific Method (In List Format) Use independent variables when you test your hypothesis by doing experiments (see step 4 above)

(Variables and Controls) SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Notes Science Experiments In an experiment you should conduct multiple trials How many? More is better! Experiments should include independent variables, dependent variables, constants, and controls.

(Variables and Controls) SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Notes Science Experiments (F.Y.I): You test or measure a quantity and/or quality of something. Example: Measuring Quantity: Scientists could be testing a new cell phone battery to determine how long it will last when you are text messaging. Example: Measuring Quality: Scientists could be testing new IPod ear buds to determine if they are more comfortable or not.

Independent Variables SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Notes Science Independent Variables In an experiment… …you should only test for ONE key thing at a time When you repeat the experiment… …only change this ONE key thing This one thing is called… Also know as….the manipulated variable

(Variables and Controls) Also know as….the manipulated variable SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Notes Science Memory Trick Independent variable begins with the letter “I” So remember the letter “I.” Imagine yourself doing the experiment., and ask yourself… “What ONE thing will I change when repeating the experiment?” That one thing will be… Also know as….the manipulated variable

(Variables and Controls) Video Review SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Let's take a moment to watch and discuss a video-song about this topic Link: Variables Song by Mr. Edmonds

Graphing Independent Variables y-axis x-axis The independent variable should be on the x-axis Link (2 min 19 sec): Video-Graphing Ind and Dep Variable

What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Example: You decide to do an experiment to determine the reason certain soft drinks are more popular that others. You suspect that the popularity of the drinks is connected with the amount of sugar found in them. You decide to use Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi, and Barq's root beer. You first determine how much sugar each drink contains. Then you get 6 students to do a blind taste test with all 4 drinks. What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed? The independent variable is the type of soft drink

What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Example: A scientist is conducting an experiment to test how sunlight affects plant growth. She places one corn plant 1 meter away from a sunlamp. She places one corn plant 2 meters away from a sunlamp. She places one corn plant 3 meters away from a sunlamp. Corn plant 01 Corn plant 02 Corn plant 03 What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed? The independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp which is connected with the amount of sunlight.

Example: A student conducts an experiment with ten 8th grade students. He uses 3 similar types of sour candy in a series of 4 trials. (Sour Patch Kids, Sour Skittles, and Warheads) He gives 1 piece of candy to each student and records their facial expressions to estimate how sour each candy is. What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed? The independent variable is the type of sour candy

What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Example: A student conducts an experiment to determine which type of glue works best for attaching two pieces of regular writing paper together. She places 2g of glue on each sheet of paper and then uses a spring scale to measure how much force it takes to pull the sheets apart. She uses 3 types of Elmer’s glue in a series of experiments. Liquid-washable Glue Stick-washable Glue Stick-nonwashable What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed? The independent variable is the type of glue

What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Example: A student conducts an experiment to determine which ink color in ballpoint pens will last the longest before running out. She copies text from her science book. She copies the same text over and over. She writes at the same speed. The room temperature remains the same. She writes on the same kind of paper each time. She uses 3 ink colors in 3 ballpoint pens in a series of experiments. (1) Black ink pen, (2) Blue ink pen, (3) Red ink pen) What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed? The independent variable is the color of ink

(Independent Variables) SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Questions Science Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

(Independent Variables) SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Questions Science Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

(Independent Variables) SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Questions Science Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

(Independent Variables) SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Questions Science Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

(Independent Variables) SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Questions Science Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.