SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Roncalli STEM Academy Science Department

TESTABLE QUESTIONS,
VARIABLES, AND
HYPOTHESES
Write all text that is written in green in your
Interactive Notebook (INB)

Objective: I will identify and write questions that can be

tested and answered through scientific investigations.

What is a Testable Question?

Write the following definition on page 5 of your INB

Testable Question
a question that can be
answered by designing and
conducting an experiment

Write the following frames for testable questions on

page 5 of your INB
Testable questions are always about changing one thing to
see what the effect is on another thing.
Try using these question frames
Does changing ______________ affect the ______________?
How does ______________ affect ________________?

Practice writing testable questions on

page 5 of your INB
Scenario 1: A student wonders if Miracle Grow

fertilizer works better than Scotts Fertilizer.

Write a testable question for the above scenario.

Use the format: How does _____ affect____?

Discuss your question with someone at your table.

If your partner does not agree that your quesiton is testable,

work together to make it testable.

Practice writing testable questions on

page 5 of your INB

Scenario 2: A student is studying carbon dioxide

levels in the atmosphere and wonders if they change
the temperature of the atmosphere.

Write a testable question for the above scenario.

Use the format: Does changing ______________ affect the ______________?

Discuss your question with the person you are sitting next toat your table.

If your partner does not agree that your quesiton is testable, work together to
make it testable.

Write the following definition on page 6 of your INB

Variable
- any factor that can change
in an experiment

Write the following definition on page 6 of your INB

Independent variable
- the variable that is
manipulated by the scientist
or that is purposely changed
and tested

Write the following definition on page 6 of your INB

Dependent variable
- the variable that is
measured by the scientist or
that may change as a result
of the independent variable

Write the following definition on page 6 of your INB

Control variables
- variables/factors that do not change
during the course of an investigation
- the normal conditions for the subject that
is being tested.

Write the following definition on page 6 of your INB

Variable Abbreviations
Independent Variable = IV
Dependent Variable = DV
Control Variable = CV

Practice identifying variables on page 7 of your INB

Identify the variables in the following question:

Write the type of variable in place of the line in your INB.

Does the amount of sunlight affect the growth of a cherry tree?

- The amount of sunlight is the __________ variable.

- The growth of cherry tree is the _________ variable.

- The amount of water or temperature would be the _______ variable.
- Discuss the variables that you identified with someone who is
shorter than you are.
- If your partner does not agree with the variables you identified, work
togther to reidentify them.

Practice identifying variables on page 7 of your INB

Identify the variables in the following question:

Write the type of variable in place of the line in your INB.

Which hair gel will keep your hair stiff the longest?

- The same hair style, same weather conditions, same persons hair
would all be examples of _________ variables.
- The type of hair gel is the ______ variable.
- How long your hair stays stiff (time) is the _______ variable.
- Discuss the variables that you identified with someone you have never talked to
before.
- If your partner does not agree with the variables you identified, work togther to
reidentify them.