Practice 3 - Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Paul Anderson discusses the importance of investigations in science and engineering, emphasizing both experimental and observational methods. He explains how to plan and carry out investigations, focusing on developing questions, identifying variables, and controlling conditions. The video also covers data collection, accuracy, precision, and the educational progression of learning investigations from elementary to high school.

What is the primary outcome of an investigation in science and engineering?

• A published paper

• A new hypothesis

• Data

• A successful experiment

Which of the following is an example of observational science?

• Conducting a chemistry experiment

• Designing a new engine

• Studying stars in astronomy

• Building a bridge

When planning an observation, what is the first step?

• Publishing findings

• Collecting data

• Developing a good question

• Analyzing results

In a scientific investigation, what is the term for the variable that is changed?

• Dependent variable

• Control variable

• Constant variable

• Independent variable

Why is it important to control variables in an experiment?

• To increase the number of variables

• To make the experiment more interesting

• To avoid bad data

• To ensure the experiment is quick

What does accuracy in an experiment refer to?

• How quickly the experiment is completed

• How many variables are used

• How close the data is to the correct answer

• How often the experiment is repeated

What is the significance of sample size in an experiment?

• It determines the speed of the experiment

• It affects the accuracy of the results

• It increases the number of variables

• It is irrelevant to the experiment

What is a good starting point for students learning about investigations?

• Starting with data analysis

• Giving them a complex problem

• Providing a simple question

• Allowing them to work without guidance

How can competition be used in teaching investigations?

• By comparing students' grades

• Through design challenges like LEGO competitions

• By having students write essays

• By timing how fast students complete tasks

What is the role of scaffolding in teaching investigations?

• To provide support and guidance

• To increase the complexity of tasks

• To make experiments more difficult

• To reduce the number of variables