Tennessee SPI Objective:

1. SPI 0807.Inq.1A Independent Variables SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Notes Date Tennessee SPI Objective: Design a simple experimental procedure with an identified control and appropriate variables. Instructions for Students 1) View this PowerPoint presentation in slideshow mode. 2) You can find instructions about how to do this by doing a Google search or by searching YouTube. 3) After you have it in slideshow mode, press the right-arrow keyboard button to advance through the presentation. 4) If you need help, please communicate with your teacher. (independent variable) Essential Question(s) 1) What is the scientific method, and which step of this process is the most important? (explain why) 2) What are experiments? 3) What is an independent variable? Check for Understanding Design and conduct a simple experiment that includes an independent variable, a dependent variable, and controls.

2. SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Notes Variables and Controls in Experiments • Used with the scientific method Scientific Method (In List Format) Step 1: Make Observations Step 2: Ask A Question Step 3: Form A Hypothesis Step 4: Test The Hypothesis • By doing experiments Step 5: Analyze The Results Step 6: Draw Conclusions Step 7: Communicate results • Use independentvariables when you test your hypothesis by doing experiments (see step 4 above)

3. SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Notes Experiments • In an experiment you should conduct multiple trials How many? More is better! • Experiments should include independent variables, dependent variables, constants, and controls.

4. SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Notes Experiments (F.Y.I): • You test or measure a quantity and/or quality of something. Example: Measuring Quantity: Scientists could be testing a new cell phone battery to determine how long it lasts when you are text messaging. Example: Measuring Quality: Scientists could be testing new IPod ear buds to determine how comfortable they are in your ears.

5. SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Notes Independent Variables In an experiment… • …you should only test for ONE key thing at a time When you repeat the experiment… • …only change this ONE key thing This one thing is called… An Independent Variable Also know as….the manipulated variable

6. SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science Notes • Memory Trick • Independent variable begins with the letter “I” • So remember the letter “I.” • Imagine yourself doing the experiment., and ask yourself… • “What ONE thing will I change when repeating the experiment?” • That one thing will be… The Independent Variable Also know as….the manipulated variable

7. Video Review SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls) Science • Let's take a moment to watch and discuss a video-song about this topic Link (3 min 38 sec): Variables Song by Mr. Edmonds

8. Graphing Independent Variables y-axis x-axis The independent variable should be on the x-axis Link (2 min 19 sec): Video-Graphing Ind and Dep Variable

9. Example:A scientist is conducting an experiment to test how sunlight affects plant growth. • She places one corn plant 1 meter away from a sunlamp. • She places one corn plant 2 meters away from a sunlamp. • She places one corn plant 3 meters away from a sunlamp. Corn plant 01 Corn plant 02 Corn plant 03 What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial? The independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp which is connected with the amount of sunlight.

10. Example: A student uses three types of Elmer’s glue to determine which type has the strongest bond when gluing two pieces of writing paper together. She places 2 grams of glue on each sheet and then measures how much force it takes to pull them apart. Liquid-washable Glue Stick-washable Glue Stick-nonwashable Trial 02 Trial 03 Trial 01 What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial? The independent variable is the type of glue

11. Example: A student conducts an experiment to determine which ink color in ballpoint pens will last the longest before running out. She copies text from her science book. She copies the same text over and over. She writes at the same speed. The room temperature remains the same. She writes on the same kind of paper each time. She uses 3 ink colors in 3 ballpoint pens in a series of experiments. (1) Black ink pen, (2) Blue ink pen, (3) Red ink pen) What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example? Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial? The independent variable is the color of ink

12. SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Science Questions Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

13. SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Science Questions Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

14. SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Science Questions Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

15. SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Science Questions Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.

16. SPI 0807.Inq.1A (Independent Variables) Science Questions Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.