1. 5 Minute Check 9/28/15
Why would you want to have only 1 variable in an experiment?
What is the difference between the control group and the experimental group?
Today’s Standard:
1.8 - The student will identify the control(s) and dependent and independent variables in an investigation.

2. Taking care of business
First we need to finish our foldable from Friday

3. The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.
Link

4. Step 1- Problem There are 2 parts to this:
Make observations using your 5 senses to gather information on a topic of interest
Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.
Ask yourself:
Why?
How?
What?
*Remember it must be something that is measurable.

5. Step 2- Hypothesis Educated guess about how things work. Prediction
Use If, then statements
If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen]
Focus on one variable only.
Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase.

6. Step 3- Experiment Tests your hypothesis.
Is it accepted (right) or rejected (wrong)?
Change only one variable at a time.
Use a control or control group (A group that has nothing done to it. Standard used for comparison in an experiment.)
Record data in a table – Results are your dependent variable
The outcome must be measurable (quantifiable).
In order for results to be valid, conduct several tests.

7. Step 4- Analysis Modify the procedure if needed.
Confirm the results by retesting.
Reduce the data
Average (Mean)
Graph the data to look for trends & relationships

8. Step 5 - Conclusion
Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis.
If hypothesis is rejected, give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results.
Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.

9. So how do I remember all these steps??? Steps Example Problem Peter
Hypothesis
Has
Experiment
Every
Analysis
Answer
Conclusion
Correct

10. Unit 2 Procedures of a Lab
Date
Title
Page #
09/21/15
What is Science? 1
09/25/15
Scientific Methods Flip book 2
09/28/15
What are variables 3

11. It is what changes during experiments
What are variables?
It is what changes during experiments

12. Independent Variables
The one thing that is changed in an experiment
This variable makes one test “independent” of another test
On a graph it is on the x-axis (along the bottom)

13. Dependent Variable The result of the experiment
The effect caused by the independent variable.
The data – “What is measured”
This “depends” on what you changed
On a graph, it is on the y-axis(along the vertical side)

14. Controlled Variables
Things that are kept constant (the same) by scientists
These allow for a fair test.

15. All experiments should have a control group.
Controlled Group
In a scientific experiment, the control is the group that serves as the standard of comparison.
The control group may be a “no treatment" or an “experimenter selected” group.
The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the variable being tested.
All experiments should have a control group.

16. Review / Posters
Independent Variable is

17. Let’s look at some examples
1. A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

18. Let’s look at some examples
2. The time it takes to run a mile depends on the person’s running speed.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

19. Let’s look at some examples
3. The height of bean plants depends on the amount of water they receive.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

20. Let’s look at some examples
4. The higher the temperature of the air in the oven, the faster a cake will bake.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

21. Let’s look at some examples
5. Lemon trees receiving the most water produced the most lemons.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

22. Let’s look at some examples
6. An investigation found that more bushels of potatoes were produced when the soil was fertilized more.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

23. Let’s look at some examples
7. Students measured the temperature of the water at different depths in Lake Skywalker and found that the temperature varied.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

24. Let’s look at some examples
8. The amount of pollution produced by cars was measured for cars using gasoline containing different amounts of lead.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

25. Let’s look at some examples
9. Four groups of rats are first massed (weighted) and then fed identical diets except for the amount of vitamin A they receive. Each group gets a different amount. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats’ masses are measured again to see if there has been a decrease.
Independent Variable: ________________
Dependent Variable: __________________
Control Variable: __________________

26. Closing
What is the difference between a an independent variable, dependent variable, and control variable?

27. Today we are meeting with the councilors in the theater
5 Minute Check 9/29/15
Today we are meeting with the councilors in the theater
Today’s Standard:
1.8 - The student will identify the control(s) and dependent and independent variables in an investigation.

28. 5 Minute Check 9/30/15 What are the steps to the scientific method?
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Control Variable
Today’s Standard:
1.8 - The student will identify the control(s) and dependent and independent variables in an investigation.

29. Taking care of business
Friday is going to be our test on Scientific method, and variables

30. Let’s review from Monday
Independent Variable: a factor that’s intentionally changed by the experimenter.
Example: different amounts of water to the same type of plant
Dependent Variable: Results from your data
Example: The plant that receive 20ml of water each day grew 6cm in one month. The plant that received 10ml of water each day grew 2½cm in one month.
Control Variable: What you control that stays the same.
Example: Using the same species of plant, using the same type of soil, using the same type of water, giving both plants the same amount of sun, using the same size pot.

31. Let’s try a little shout out
Mrs. Hunt Says
Class Says
Independent Variable
What Gets Changed “WHAT I DO”
Dependent Variable
The results “DATA”
Control Variable
What stays the same
Control Group
Group that Does NOT get changes to them

32. Unit 2 Procedures of a Lab
Date
Title
Page #
09/21/15
What is Science? 1
09/25/15
Scientific Methods Flip book 2
09/28/15
What are variables 3
09/30/15
Controls and Variables 4

33. Let’s read some examples from the worksheet Scientific Methods controls and Variables

34. Let’s read some examples from the worksheet Scientific Methods controls and Variables

35. Closing
Turn to a neighbor and explain the difference between a control group and the control variable.

36. 5 Minute Check 10/01/15
Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. Each group was given the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group computed without calculator.
What is the Independent, Dependent and Control Variable?
Today’s Standard:
1.8 - The student will identify the control(s) and dependent and independent variables in an investigation.

37. Taking care of business
Tomorrow is our test on the scientific method and variables

38. Unit 2 Procedures of a Lab
Date
Title
Page #
09/21/15
What is Science? 1
09/25/15
Scientific Methods Flip book 2
09/28/15
What are variables 3
09/30/15
Controls and Variables 4
10/01/15
Penny Drops Lab 5

39. Today we are going to perform the Penny Drops Lab
Question/Problem: Compare how many drops of tap water vs. how many drops of soapy water a penny will hold?
Hypothesis: I think a penny will hold more ___________ water.
Why: _____________________________________________________________
Experiment:
Materials: Penny, Eyedropper, Tap Water, soapy water, 2 paper towels, calculator
Procedure:
Put the penny on a flat surface on top of a paper towel.
Use the eye dropper to drop tap water on the penny, one drop at a time.
Count the number of drops until the water spills over the edge of the penny.
Record your data.
Repeat steps 1 -4 for a total of 5 trials.
Use the eye dropper to drop soapy water on the penny, one drop at a time.
Repeat steps 6-8 for a total of 5 trials

40. 5 Minute Check 10/02/15
In our experiment yesterday what do you think was our independent variable?
What was our dependent variable?
What was our control variable?
Today’s Standard:
1.8 - The student will identify the control(s) and dependent and independent variables in an investigation.

41. Taking Care of business
After your test you are going to work on the blue packet What is inside the Earth which is due 10/8