1. Notes Date Tennessee SPI Objective:
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
Independent Variables
Notes
SPI 0807.Inq.1
(Variables and Controls)
Date
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Design a simple experimental procedure with an identified control and appropriate variables.
Instructions for Students
1) View this PowerPoint presentation in slideshow mode.
2) You can find instructions about how to do this by doing a Google search or by searching YouTube.
3) After you have it in slideshow mode, press the right-arrow keyboard button to advance through the presentation.
4) If you need help, please communicate with your teacher.
(independent variable)
Essential Question(s)
1) What is the scientific method, and which step of this
process is the most important? (explain why)
2) What are experiments?
3) What is an independent variable?
Check for Understanding
Design and conduct a simple experiment that includes
an independent variable, a dependent variable, and controls.

2. (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)

3. (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.

4. (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 lasts when you are text messaging.
Example: Measuring Quality:
Scientists could be testing new IPod ear buds to determine how comfortable they are in your ears.

5. An Independent Variable
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…
An Independent Variable
Also know as….the manipulated variable

6. The Independent 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…
The Independent Variable
Also know as….the manipulated variable

7. (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 (3 min 38 sec):
Variables Song by Mr. Edmonds

8. 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

9. 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?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
The independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp which is connected with the amount of sunlight.

10. Example: A student uses three types of Elmer’s glue to determine
which type has the strongest bond when gluing two pieces of
writing paper together.
She places 2 grams of glue on each sheet
and then measures how much force it takes to pull them apart.
Liquid-washable
Glue Stick-washable
Glue Stick-nonwashable
Trial 02
Trial 01
Trial 03
What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
The independent variable is the type of glue

11. 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?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
The independent variable is the color of ink

12. (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.

13. (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.

14. (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.

15. (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.

16. (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.