1. Identifying Variables in Science

2. Objective Identify the types of variables in a science experiment
Independent
Dependent
Control variables

3. 3 Types of Variables
Independent Variable – something that is changed by the scientist
What I change
Only 1 thing can be changed
The cause

4. 3 Types of Variables
Dependent Variable – something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable
What is observed
What is measured
The result of what I changed
The data collected during the investigation
The effect

5. 3 Types of Variables Control Variable – a variable that is not changed
Also called constants
Keep everything else besides the independent variable the same
Allow for a “fair test”

6. Relating to Math
2 + ____= ?
What does this problem equal?

7. Relating to Math 2 + 2 = 4 2 + 4 = 6 2 + 50 = 52
- In every example, we changed one number and it affected the answer!
-Therefore, the answer depended on the # we changed
-In science, a variable is something that can be changed.
-In our simple math problems, the numbers we changed are called the independent variable
-A constant is something that does not change
-In our math problems, the numbers we decided not to change are called constants

8. Relate to Real Life Scenarios
“Cause and Effect” relationships
For example:
The more toppings you put on your pizza order, the more expensive your pizza is
The amount of time you spend studying affects your grade on a test

9. Mnemonic to remember: C (Central)- What will we change?
M (Magnet)- What will we measure?
S (School)- What will stay the same?

10. Identify the variables in the following science investigations
A magnetic field is made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used in the experiment. The number of paper clips the magnet could pick up was measured.

11. Question What are the variables in the investigation? Independent
Control

12. Independent Variable Sizes of the nails
These were changed by the scientist

13. Number of paper clips picked up
Dependent Variable
Number of paper clips picked up
The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured)

14. Battery, wire, type of nail
Control Variables
Battery, wire, type of nail
None of these items were changed

15. “Group Share” assignment
With your assigned group, come up with 1 real life scenario of independent, dependent, and control variables
10 minutes and then each group will share their real world example by Monday
Example:
The amount of money you have to pay for your pizza depends on the # of toppings you choose to put on it

16. Bellwork for 8/22
Define independent, dependent and control variables using the experiment below:
Does the temperature of a soccer ball affect the height the soccer ball will bounce?

17. “Group Share” assignment
You will have 15 minutes to complete your real world scenario problem with your groups from Friday
Each group will present
Each person in the group will present on a different variable except the control variable
2 people per group