Vocabulary
What is the data collected during an experiment called?
Results
A student changes the amount of sunlight plants receive. What is the independent variable?
Amount of sunlight.
Who is more likely to ask questions about why something happens: a scientist or engineer?
Scientist.
An engineer finishes building a prototype. What should happen next?
What type of graph is useful for comparing different categories?
Bar Graph
What is an investigation?
A careful study or experiment used to answer a question or solve a problem.
Students study with music or silence and then take a test. What is the dependent variable?
Test score.
Who is more likely to build a solution to a problem: a scientist or engineer? A: Engineer.
Who is more likely to build a solution to a problem: a scientist or engineer? A: Engineer.
A scientist completes an experiment but the results are unclear. What should happen next?
Repeat the experiment /to check the data.
On a bar graph showing different animals observed in a forest, what belongs across the bottom/x-axis?
The names or categories of animals.
What is the experimental group?
The group that receives the independent variable or treatment being tested.
A company tests a new dog food to see whether dogs gain more weight. What is the dependent variable?
Amount of weight gained.
Someone researches why materials behave a certain way, collects evidence, and forms a conclusion. Which role are they performing?
Scientist
An engineer tests a prototype and discovers that one part does not work properly. What should happen next?
Improve/redesign the prototype and test again.
Why would a scientist use a graph instead of only writing a long list of numbers?
A graph organizes data and makes patterns/comparisons easier to understand.
What is the difference between a controlled variable and a control group?
A controlled variable is something kept the same; a control group is the group that does not receive the independent variable/treatment.
A scientist tests a new soap against regular soap. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
IV: type of soap; DV: amount of bacteria remaining.
A person uses test results to change the shape of a wheelchair design. Which role are they performing and why?
Engineer, because they are using test results to improve a design.
Scientists repeat an experiment and continue getting similar results. What does this suggest about the results?
They are more reliable.
A scientist only reports the results that support the hypothesis and ignores the others. What scientific expectation is being violated?
Objectivity/analyzing all results.
Explain the difference among independent variable, dependent variable, and controlled variable.
Independent Variable is purposely changed; Dependent variable is measured/affected; controlled variables are kept the same.
Plants receive either 8 hours or 4 hours of sunlight. Plant growth is measured. Identify the IV, DV, control group, and experimental group using the class notes.
IV: amount of sunlight; DV: plant growth; control: 4-hour group; experimental: 8-hour group.
A team researches a problem, brainstorms solutions, chooses one, builds a model, tests it, and changes the model based on results. What process are they using?
Engineering Design Process.
A wheelchair prototype works during one test. Why would engineers still need additional testing before manufacturing it?
Repeated testing provides more evidence that the design works reliably and can reveal problems that need improvement.
An engineer says, “My prototype failed, so the entire project was a waste.” Explain why this statement conflicts with the engineering design process.
An unsuccessful prototype provides useful test results that engineers can use to redesign and improve the solution.