The Scientific Method Day 2 Testable Questions

The Scientific Method

Day 2: Testable Questions.

What is one question you have always wondered?

Write this down on in your Scientific Method Packet.

Did you know that not ALL questions are testable?

To set up and do an experiment, we must first create a TESTABLE question.

An Untestable question is one that requires more than just observations or experiments to answer.

Non-testable Question

A testable question is one that can be answered using observations or experiments. They are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Controlable

​Testable Question

Not all Questions are Testable

1. How does gravity work?

   1. Not specific

2. What makes plants grow?

   1. Not measurable

Non-Testable Question

1. Does more weight cause an object to fall faster?

2. What fertilizer makes plants grow more flowers?

Testable Question

Testable vs. Non-Testable

Multiple Choice

How does the sun heat up water?

• Testable

• Non-Testable

Multiple Choice

How do the rockets built at NASA return to Earth after launching into outer space?

• Testable

• Non-Testable

Multiple Choice

Does changing the amount of sunlight effect the growth of tomato plants?

• Testable

• Non-Testable

Multiple Choice

Which is better, cats or dogs?

• Testable

• Non-Testable

Multiple Choice

Does changing the wing shape affect the distance a paper airplane will fly?

• Testable

• Nontestable

Multiple Select

Select all testable questions

• Which color are hummingbirds most attracted to?

• Which color do boys like the most?

• How heavy is my basketball?

• How much water can a juice jug hold?

• Which brand of baking soda will make bread dough rise faster?

Multiple Select

Select all the testable questions

• Which brand of toilet paper will be stronger?

• Which kind of food do dogs like?

• When is the next holiday?

• Which fruit will deer eat the most, bananas, apples, or strawberries?

• How many footballs fit in one bag?

Discuss with a partner

What is the INDEPENDENT variable?

Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

Discuss with a partner

What is the DEPENDENT variable?

Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

Multiple Choice

Identify the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in the following question:

Does the amount of light affect the rate of growth of a plant?

• Rate of growth

• Soil the plants grow on

• Amount of sunlight

• Amount of water

Multiple Choice

Identify the DEPENDENT VARIABLE in the following question:

Does the amount of sunlight affect the growth rate of plants?

• Amount of water

• amount of soil

• Growth rate

• Number of leaves

Multiple Choice

Identify the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in the following question:

Does the temperature of water affect the time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve?

• size of the sugar cube

• amount of water

• time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve

• temperature of water

Multiple Choice

Identify the DEPENDENT VARIABLE in the following question:

Does the temperature of water affect the time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve?

• temperature of water

• time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve

• amount of water

• size of the sugar cube

Multiple Choice

Is this a testable question?

What makes plants grow best?

• Yes

• No

Discuss with a partner

What are examples of things you could change to make this question testable?

What makes plants grow best?

Discuss with a partner

What are some things you could measure about plant growth?

What makes plants grow best?

Discuss with a partner

Is this testable?

How does a paper airplane fly?

Multiple Choice

Is the question testable?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

What would be the INDEPENDENT variable be?

Open Ended

What would the dependent variable be?

Create your own testable questions

In your packet write down 2-3 testable questions that you might like to use for your experiment next week.