BELLWORK

A physicist wants to examine the characteristics of a new material.

The physicist will most likely do so by what method?
a. The physicist will survey a group of people.
b. The physicist will perform fieldwork in a remote location.
c. The physicist will preform laboratory experiments.
d. The physicist will make observations of an ecosystem.

LEARNING GOAL
The students will be able to define a problem, use appropriate reference
materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out
scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations
or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret
data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make
predictions, and defend conclusions.

LEARNING SCALE
4.0 Through independent work beyond what was taught in class:
develop a strategy to solve a scientific problem.
use diagrams and models to represent and solve a scientific problem.
3.0 The students will:
define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and
carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments,
identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze
information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
2.0 The students will:
determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and science specific words and phrases as they are used
in a specific technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics
describe the key parts of a specific body of knowledge.
define a scientific problem.
label given pieces of laboratory equipment and describe their uses in solving a scientific problem.
describe the safety precautions that should be taken when starting a specific scientific investigation.
list laboratory safety rules and procedures.
1.0 The students will:
recognize related academic vocabulary.

INDEPENDENT & DEPENDENT VARIABLES

Independent variable The factor controlled (or changed) by the
experimenter. This might also be described as the
change that I, the experimenter, makes on purpose.
It is sometimes called the tested variable.

Dependent variable

The factor (or result) which changes because of

what the experimenter does. The dependent
variable is the change that occurs because of what
the experimenter does; it gets changed by the
independent variable. It is sometimes called the
outcome variable. It usually is measured in some
manner.

IDENTIFYING VARIABLES
1. What is the effect of scary movies on pulse rate?
Independent variable: Scary movies
Dependent variable: Pulse rate
2. What is the effect of heat on ice melting?
Independent variable: Effect of heat
Dependent variable: Ice melting
3. What is the effect of different types of oil on the amount of time it takes for
the gears to reach a temperature of 30oC?
Different types of oil
Independent variable:
Time to reach 30oC
Dependent variable:

IDENTIFYING VARIABLES
4. What is the effect of higher levels of calcium on dendrite synapse relay time?
Independent variable: Calcium levels
Dependent variable: Relay time
5. Which restaurant has the least amount of Escherichia coli (bacteria) in their
rice?
Independent variable: Restaurant
Dependent variable: Bacteria in rice
6. The most expensive air freshener will kill the least amount of bacteria?
Independent variable: Air freshener
Dependent variable: Bacteria killed

IDENTIFYING VARIABLES
7. What is the effect of trajectory angle on distance traveled?
Independent variable: Trajectory angle
Dependent variable: Distance traveled
8. Increased levels of pollution will increase the number of mutations in frogs.
Independent variable: Pollution levels
Dependent variable: Number of mutations
9. Sodium Chloride will dissolve the fastest in water at a temperature of 100oC.
Independent variable: Temperature
Dependent variable: Dissolving rate

IDENTIFYING VARIABLES
10. Listening to Jazz music will increase science test grades.
Independent variable: Music
Dependent variable: Test grade
11. Longer school days will result in improved student grades.
Independent variable: School day length
Dependent variable: Grades

DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS PRACTICE

Hypothesis - an educated guess used as a starting point for further
investigation; often written as an if/then statement

Independent variable

The tested variable.

Dependent variable -

The outcome variable.

WRITING A HYPOTHESIS
1. I wonder if the number of books I read helps me get smarter?
Hypothesis: If I read more books, than I will get smarter.
2. I wonder what will happen to my plant if I leave it in the closet with no
light?
Hypothesis: If I leave my plant in the closet with no light, then it will not
grow.
3. I wonder if I watch movies with a lot of swearing in it, I will start swearing
more?
Hypothesis: If I watch movies with a lot of swearing in it, then I
will start swearing more.

IDENTIFYING VARIABLES FROM A HYPOTHESIS

1. If you increase the number of cigarettes you smoke, then you will increase your
risk for lung cancer.
Independent variable: Number of cigarettes you smoke
Dependent variable: Risk of lung cancer
2. If you increase the amount of blood in the water, then you will increase the
sharks in the area.
Independent variable: Blood in water
Dependent variable: Number of sharks