Tag: variables

  • Can Genetic Modification Protect Corn?

    Can Genetic Modification Protect Corn?

    The European corn borer (ECB) is a major pest of corn in the United States. It is a small, black and white moth that lays its eggs on the leaves of corn plants. The larvae hatch and tunnel into the stalks, ears, and leaves of the plant, causing significant damage. Bt corn is a type…

  • Scientific Method Study on Beriberi and Chickens

    Scientific Method Study on Beriberi and Chickens

    Revised version of the Scientific Method in Action worksheet that focuses on the chickens who became sick due to a vitamin deficiency.

  • Highlight the Manipulated and Responding Variables

    Highlight the Manipulated and Responding Variables

    This worksheet describes the difference between an independent (manipulated) and dependent (responding) variable and then asks students to practice by identifying variables in short sentences.

  • Independent & Dependent Variables Practice

    Independent & Dependent Variables Practice

    Students reach short scenarios about scientific experiments. They identify the controls and variables in each story.

  • Investigation:  What Factors Affect Seed Germination?

    Investigation: What Factors Affect Seed Germination?

    This activity can be used as part of a unit on plants or as an activity to illustrate the scientific method.  The materials are cheap and can be obtained from the grocery store.  Students design an experiment to determine what factors affect seed germination.   They are given a list of variables that are appropriate…

  • Investigation:  Stride Length and Bone Lengths

    Investigation: Stride Length and Bone Lengths

    This activity is intended to introduce students to spreadsheets while also reinforcing concepts learned in the unit on the skeletal system.   While graphs may be easier to create using google sheets, student can still create graphs by hand using graph paper.    Your class will need a set of meter sticks or rules to…

  • Investigation: Habitat Selection in Flour Beetles

    Investigation: Habitat Selection in Flour Beetles

     This activity was modified from an Advanced Placement Investigation for use with freshman classes.   The instructions are clear and require students to examine data and create a graph.   Then students collect their own data using Choice Chambers and can choose which variables they would like to test: wet vs dry, water vs vinegar,  light…

  • Investigation:  Plop Plop Fizz Fizz

    Investigation: Plop Plop Fizz Fizz

    This investigation asks beginning students to develop a hypothesis about how quickly an effervescent tablet will dissolve and then design an experiment.

  • Scientific Method – Answering Causal Questions

    Scientific Method – Answering Causal Questions

    Examine a flow chart which considers a question about water evaporation; hypotheses are proposed to test the effects of air flow, light, and temperature.

  • Investigation:  What Are the Processes of Science

    Investigation: What Are the Processes of Science

    Inquiry investigation where students develop hypotheses to answer a question about lung capacity, design an experiment, collect data, and draw conclusions.

  • Scientific Method and the Simpsons

    Scientific Method and the Simpsons

    NOTE: This is a new version of this activity, with new stories!  Old Version: Scientific Method and the Simpsons This activity requires students to read stories where experiments were performed by members of the Simpson’s family.  The stories are intended to be humorous. Students must identify the manipulated and responding variables (independent and dependent), the…