1. Science Fair Vocabulary

2. Hypothesis
Definition: a possible explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation
Example: If the plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow faster because plants use the suns light to create photosynthesis.
Synonyms: theory, assumption, proposition

3. Independent Variable
Definition: the variable that is controlled or changed by the scientist.
If the science experiment were testing how quickly a plant grows in different light, the amount of light the plant got would be the independent variable.

4. Dependent Variable
Definition: The variable that is observed or measured by the scientist. The scientist has no control over this variable.
For example, how much the plant grows after a certain period of time would be the dependent variable. The scientist could measure how much the plant in the closet grew compared to how much the plant in the sun grew.

5. Controlled Variable
Definition: a variable that is kept the same (or controlled) for the entire experiment.
For example, the plant in the plant experiment would need to receive the same amount of water each day, be placed in the same soil, and be the same type of plant.

6. Procedure
Definition: an established or official way of doing something
Synonyms: action plan, method, system, steps, strategy, approach

7. Data
Definition: facts, statistics, or information collected together for analysis
Synonyms: graphs, charts, facts, figures, details, specifics

8. Results
Definition: something that results as a consequence, issue, or conclusion
My hypothesis that the plant that received more sunlight would grow faster than the plant in the dark was correct. The plant that was placed in the sun grew 4 inches taller than the plant placed in the dark during the course of my 2-week investigation.
Synonyms: conclusion, findings, outcome, effect

9. Contradict Definition: to imply the opposite or denial of
Some people think plants can grow in the dark, but my results contradict that theory.
Synonyms: deny, refute, reject, disconfirm