1. Designing an Experiment

2. Do now
Take out (or write down) a hard copy of your experimental question and your hypothesis

3. Scientific method We went over this yesterday in class
What steps have we covered so far?
Make an observation
Ask a question
Form a hypothesis

4. Today in class
First we have to determine if you asked a testable question that can be explored with an experiment.
Was this testable?
Ehhh…. Maybe not.
Jackalope

5. What is a testable question?
We must be able to answer our question with an experiment that has a(n):
Independent variable that you change or manipulate
Dependent variable that you observe or measure
Quantifiable data with 4-5 data points that can be graphed
Control trial

6. What is an experimental control?
A control is a baseline trial where you do not manipulate the independent variable
The control trial lets you know whether changes you see in the dependent variable are due to changes you made in the independent variable, or if they’re due to some other factor.
Can you think of an example of a control in prescription drug trials?

7. Confounding variable
A confounding variable is an unexpected factor that affects the result of your experiment
A confounding variable often leads you to make the wrong conclusion
What were the confounding variables in the jackalope example?
Losing mass through excretion, respiration, sweating, etc.

8. Separate into your groups. Pair with another group
Give feedback on the other group’s experimental question (is it testable?) and their hypothesis (is it an educated guess?)