Observations & Control Groups
According to the classroom observations which is an opinion/inference and not an observation?
Olivia- The Penny held 36 drops of just water.
Bowen- The Water and soap mixture was more dense than just water.
Maci- The water and soap mixture was slippery and gross to use.
Caden- The penny did not hold as many drops of soapy water.
Maci, the key word in her sentence was gross.
Which investigation includes making observations in a natural environment to collect data?
A. Field Study
B. Experiment
C. Simulation
D. Model
A. Field Study
Key word: outside, natural environment
What is a controlling variable?
Something that a scientist makes sure to keep the same during an experiment
What is an inference?
A conclusion, or opinion on what is happening.
Which of these is a control group?
1. Plant in the closet
2. Plant in the window sill
3. Plant outside
1. Plant in the closet
Which investigation includes being created because you cannot observe the real thing because it is too big or too small?
A. Field Study
B. Model
C. Simulation
D. Experiment
B. Model
Key words: Too big or too small for the real thing
Which investigation uses controlling variables?
Experiment!
Which is an inference?
A. The sky has 12 clouds.
B. There are students in seats with green shirts.
C. There must be a concert happening in the stadium.
D. There are 46 yellow jackets on the table.
C. must be are the keys words.
What is a control group?
The group under the most normal conditions. (Not changed)
Which investigation requires using the steps of the scientific method to complete?
A. Field Study
B. Observations
C. Experiment
D. Model
C. Experiment
Key words: Scientific Method
Ms. France was wondering how much sunlight is best to make a flower grow the tallest? She predicted that 3 hours was the best amount of sunlight time. What should Ms. France do next?
She should set up her experiment and complete it. Using different hours of time.
Which is an inference?
A. The student’s paper has neat handwriting.
B. The student raised their hand to answer three questions in class.
C. The student smiled while working with a partner.
D. The student enjoys participating in class activities.
D. enjoys is a feeling
What is a control group?
A. cup with sand and salt
B. cup with sand and gravel
C. cup with just sand
D. cup with sand and iron filings
Which investigation includes a moving model to practice the scenario because it is dangerous to do the real activity at that time?
A. Field Study
B. Observations
C. Simulation
D. Experiment
C. Simulations
Key Words: Moving Model
Ms. France completed her experiment by placing the same plants in the same windowsill and only allowing plant a have 2 hours of sunlight, plant b 3 hours of sunlight, and plant c having 4 hours of sunlight a day. They all grew the same, so what should she do now?
A. Repeat the experiment and ensure that she doesn't change ANYTHING. To ensure that her data is reliable/valid.
Which is an observation?
A. There might be a leak in the roof.
B. A pipe above the ceiling could be broken.
C. There is water dripping to the floor.
D. It may have rained recently, causing water to seep inside.
C. You can see water dripping
What would be the control group for this experiment?
A. cup with Soda and salt
B. cup with soda and sand
C. cup with just soda
C. cup with just soda
Which is a testable question?
A. Do drops of water on a penny make the penny different?
B. Does the surface of the floor affect the distance a ball will travel?
C. Why do zoo animals act differently?
D. How is the weather in Florida different than the weather in Louisianna?
B. It can be measured with a specific measurement.
Ms. France set out 3 new plants of all the same type. She placed them on the same windowsill. She allowed them to sit for different hours in the sun for the next week and observed their growth. What should she do now?
A. Form a hypothesis
B. Analyze the data she collected
C. Research how many hours of sunlight this plant gets
D. Ask her students what they think about the experiment
B. Analyze the data she collected
What is an observation and what is an inference?
Observation is something you see, hear, smell, or taste.
Inference is your opinion or conclusion based on your evidence.