Test 3 on Oct 11

There will be a test on Friday, Oct 11. The test will cover the basics of scientific method. This will be a chance for students to bring up their grades. The first test was 4 points. The second test was 26 points. This third test will be worth 100 points.

This test will cover the basics of scientific method, just like the first two tests. Many students have trouble with simple vocabulary, even though they are taught the vocabulary year after year. But, this year, students will learn the information. They will learn how scientific investigations work.

Here are the important vocabulary terms students need to know for the test:

hypothesis = a prediction of the results scientists will find in an investigation; a predicted answer to a scientific question
(important note: a scientific hypothesis must be testable; we can test whether boys are better than girls at throwing a tennis ball into a trashcan, but we cannot test whether there are other universes besides the universe we live in.)

independent variable = the variable the scientist purposely changes in an experiment in order to determine whether the dependent variable will change with the independent variable; this is also the difference between the groups being tested

dependent variable = the variable being observed and measured during the experiment to see if it changes with the independent variable

controlled variables = these are all the other variables that could change but are purposely kept the same so they don't interfere with the results of the experiment

Here are a few practice questions. These were used on Test 2.

For questions 1-3, use this hypothesis: “If some plants are fertilized with organic fertilizer, and some plants are fertilized with artificial fertilizer, then it will be found that there will be no difference in the amount the plants grow  during an 8-week period.”

1. What is the independent variable?

2. What is the dependent variable?

3. What are two controlled variables necessary for this experiment?

For questions 4-6, use this hypothesis: “If the radiation emitted from three different appliances (a hair dryer, a microwave, and a blender) are compared, then it will be found that the hair dryer emits the most radiation.”

4. What is the independent variable?

5. What is the dependent variable?

6. What are two controlled variables necessary for this experiment?

Finally, here's a review video for understanding scientific method and variables: