Observation, Inference, and Variables Worksheet

Look around your classroom and write one qualitative observation and one quantitative observation. Then make one inference about what you see.

• Qualitative Observation: The walls are blue. Quantitative Observation: There are 20 desks. Inference: The classroom is used for a large group of students.

• Qualitative Observation: The desks are made of metal. Quantitative Observation: There are 5 windows. Inference: The classroom is used for science experiments.

• Qualitative Observation: The floor is carpeted. Quantitative Observation: There are 10 chairs. Inference: The classroom is used for small group discussions.

• Qualitative Observation: The lights are bright. Quantitative Observation: There are 2 doors. Inference: The classroom is used for art projects.

In an experiment, variables are the factors that can change. Controls are the factors that stay the same. Activity: Imagine an experiment to test how sunlight affects plant growth. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and one controlled variable.

• Independent Variable: Amount of sunlight. Dependent Variable: Plant growth (height or number of leaves). Controlled Variable: Type of plant or amount of water.

• Independent Variable: Type of plant. Dependent Variable: Amount of sunlight. Controlled Variable: Plant growth (height or number of leaves).

• Independent Variable: Amount of water. Dependent Variable: Type of plant. Controlled Variable: Sunlight exposure.

• Independent Variable: Plant growth (height or number of leaves). Dependent Variable: Type of plant. Controlled Variable: Amount of sunlight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Suppose you are testing how the amount of fertilizer affects the growth of tomato plants. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and one controlled variable in this experiment.

• Independent Variable: Amount of fertilizer. Dependent Variable: Growth of tomato plants. Controlled Variable: Type of soil.

• Independent Variable: Type of soil. Dependent Variable: Amount of fertilizer. Controlled Variable: Growth of tomato plants.

• Independent Variable: Amount of water. Dependent Variable: Type of fertilizer. Controlled Variable: Growth of tomato plants.

• Independent Variable: Growth of tomato plants. Dependent Variable: Type of soil. Controlled Variable: Amount of fertilizer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Observe your school playground and write one qualitative observation and one quantitative observation. Then make one inference based on your observations.

• Qualitative Observation: The sand is soft. Quantitative Observation: There are 4 slides. Inference: The playground is used for music lessons.

• Qualitative Observation: The fence is metal. Quantitative Observation: There are 2 basketball courts. Inference: The playground is used for art projects.

• Qualitative Observation: The benches are wooden. Quantitative Observation: There are 8 swings. Inference: The playground is used for science classes.

• Qualitative Observation: The grass is green. Quantitative Observation: There are 3 soccer goals. Inference: The playground is used for sports activities.

In a science experiment, you want to test how temperature affects the rate at which ice melts. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and one controlled variable.

• Independent Variable: Temperature. Dependent Variable: Rate at which ice melts. Controlled Variable: Size of ice cubes.

• Independent Variable: Amount of water. Dependent Variable: Temperature. Controlled Variable: Rate at which ice melts.

• Independent Variable: Size of ice cubes. Dependent Variable: Temperature. Controlled Variable: Rate at which ice melts.

• Independent Variable: Rate at which ice melts. Dependent Variable: Size of ice cubes. Controlled Variable: Temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

You are conducting an experiment to see how the amount of water given to a plant affects its growth. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and one controlled variable.

• Independent Variable: Amount of sunlight. Dependent Variable: Plant growth. Controlled Variable: Amount of water.

• Independent Variable: Amount of water. Dependent Variable: Plant growth. Controlled Variable: Type of plant.

• Independent Variable: Type of plant. Dependent Variable: Amount of water. Controlled Variable: Plant growth.

• Independent Variable: Plant growth. Dependent Variable: Type of plant. Controlled Variable: Amount of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Imagine you are observing a school library. Write one qualitative observation and one quantitative observation. Then make one inference based on your observations.

• Qualitative Observation: The shelves are wooden. Quantitative Observation: There are 5 computers. Inference: The library is used for reading and research.

• Qualitative Observation: The floor is tiled. Quantitative Observation: There are 2 printers. Inference: The library is used for music lessons.

• Qualitative Observation: The chairs are plastic. Quantitative Observation: There are 3 tables. Inference: The library is used for art classes.

• Qualitative Observation: The walls are green. Quantitative Observation: There are 10 bookshelves. Inference: The library is used for sports activities.

Suppose you want to test how the type of soil affects the height of bean plants. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and one controlled variable in this experiment.

• Independent Variable: Amount of sunlight. Dependent Variable: Type of soil. Controlled Variable: Height of bean plants.

• Independent Variable: Amount of water. Dependent Variable: Height of bean plants. Controlled Variable: Type of soil.

• Independent Variable: Height of bean plants. Dependent Variable: Type of soil. Controlled Variable: Amount of sunlight.

• Independent Variable: Type of soil. Dependent Variable: Height of bean plants. Controlled Variable: Amount of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5