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.
(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?
I Can Statement
I can identify independent variables in simple experiments.

2. Variables and Controls in Experiments Used with the scientific method
Science
Notes
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
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. 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

4. 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

5. (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

6. 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

7. What is the independent (manipulated) variable?
Example: A scientist is conducting an experiment to test how
sunlight affects plant growth.
1st Trial: places a corn plant 1 meter away from a solar lamp.
2nd Trial: places a corn plant 2 meters away from a solar lamp.
3rd Trial: places a corn plant 3 meters away from a solar lamp.
Corn plant 01
Corn plant 02
Corn plant 03
What is the independent (manipulated) variable?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
Independent variable is the distance from the solar lamp which is connected with the amount of light received.

8. 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