Scientific Method

A testable prediction about a scientific investigation is a(n)

• Question
• Observation
• Hypothesis
• Experiment

The parts of the experiment that must be kept the same.

• Constant/Controlled variable

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Conclusion

Maya designed an experiment to answer the following question: How does the amount of water given to a lima

bean seed affect how tall it grows?

In this experiment, what variable should Maya CHANGE?

• the amount of water

• the kind of plant

• the type of soil

• the amount of sunlight it gets

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

How many variables should you change in a controlled experiment?

• none
• only 1

• 2 or more
• depends on the type of experiment

The type of variable that responds to the experiment and is what you measure or count to determine if your hypothesis is true.

• Independent
• Dependent
• Control

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Thomas tests different types of liquids to see which will grow his plants the most. He has water, soda, milk, and no liquid at all. What is the control group?

• the one with water

• the one with soda

• the one with milk

• the one with no liquid

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Three baseball players investigate to see who can throw a baseball the farthest. They mark off an area on the playground for their investigation. Which should they keep constant?

• height of the players
• color of the balls thrown
• order in which the players throw
• spot from which the players throw

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Dory set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• distance traveled by the ball
• height of the ramp
• mass of the ball
• ball type

Cindy wanted to find out how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of plants. She placed a tomato plant in 6 identical 10 inch pots with the same amount and type potting soil. She watered them ¼ cup each day. 3 plants were placed under a cardboard box and 3 plants were placed in the sunlight. She measured the growth of the plant each week for three weeks.

What is the dependent variable?

• Using the same type of plant

• Each plant was placed in a 10 inch pot

• The growth of the plant

• 3 plants in the sunlight and 3 plants under a box

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What is the factor that an experimenter changes on purpose?

• Dependent Variable
• Independent Variable
• Constant
• Control

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2