Control: The group that is NOT experimented on

Variable: Any factor that can change in a controlled experiment, observation, or model

Constants: the factors or conditions that must be KEPT THE SAME in the experiment

Independent variable: The factor that you changeRemember independent variable is the one “I

CHANGE” X-axis value

Dependent variable: The factor that you measure at the end of the experiment The dv DEPENDS on the independent variable Y-axis value

Hypothesis: A prediction that can be testedA type of prediction that is a possible

explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question

Imagine that you’re enjoying a pack of M&M’s when your little sister spills a glass of water on the table, drenching your candy. As you scramble to save them, you notice the color starts to run off many of the M&M’s. This makes you wonder why the candy is reacting in such a way. You decide to get scientific and experiment with your favorite candy!

Testable Research Question: Will M&M color dissolve faster in water or in vinegar?

Non-Testable Question: Which color M&M tastes better?

With your L group, come up with one other testable research question you can think of to investigate M&M’s.… changing the constant variables in the

experiment is an easy way to devise a new experiment

What does that mean?

Think of times that you have observed something unusual or unexpected.

Come up with a testable research question to investigate with you “group”

Example - Observation: I noticed that crickets were chirping very loudly outside my window last night!Research Question Do crickets chirp louder when the temperature is higher?

Your turn!

After choosing a topic to investigate and writing a testable research question, it’s time to find information about your topic. However, some topics are very broad. You must narrow your topic enough to focus on the most important parts relating to your experiments and research only those parts.

The most important parts of your experiment are the variables. Variables are all the factors that can change in an experiment, possibly affecting the results. It is important that you test only one variable at a time; this way, you can be sure it’s the one thing that caused the results.

Imagine that you are investigating your research question. List all the types of variables:

Independent Variable (IV): ________ Dependent Variable (DV): _________ Constant Variables (CV): ____, _____, _____, _____

Imagine that you are investigating this research question: Will M&M color dissolve faster in water or in

another clear liquid? Types of variables:

Independent Variable (IV): Type of clear liquid Dependent Variable (DV): Time it takes for color

to dissolve Constant Variables (CV): Color of the M&M,

amount of liquid, type of M&M (e.g. plain, peanut), etc.

STOP

Read the research question on your group’s large index card.

Identify the IV, DV, and CV for the experiment

Write the IV, DV, and CV on the small index card to turn in

Complete the practice Step 1 and Step 2 worksheet for homework.