Observe/Infer/Predict
When I notice a blue car parked outside the window, this is an example of what?
What is an observation?
This is any factor in a scientific investigation.
What is a variable?
This is identified at the beginning of an investigation- it must be measurable and contain both variables.
What is a testable question? (Usually written in this format: How does IV affect DV?)
In an investigation, information is usually collected in one of these.
What is a data table?
For the Bouncy Ball lab, we created this type of graph because we changed the IV incrementally.
What is a line graph?
We use our senses to do this.
What is make an observation?
This is the variable that a scientist changes on purpose during an investigation.
What is an independent variable?
Some investigations might need one of these for comparison- a group that is not given the independent variable.
What is a control group?
In the bouncy ball lab, for each trial of balls bounced, we transformed the data of multiple trials by finding this.
What is the mean/average?
On a scientific graph, the independent variable usually goes on this axis.
What is the X-axis?
6th grade students will ace their summative tests! This is an example of...?
What is a prediction?
This is a variable that responds to change and is measured by the scientist in an investigation.
What is a dependent variable?
This is a factor in an investigation that is not being tested but is kept the same for comparison.
What is a control variable?
Scientists usually make one of these in order to find and communicate patterns in their data.
What is a graph?
On a scientific graph, the dependent variable usually goes on this axis.
What is the Y-axis?
The air conditioning is turned on in the science room because Mrs. Tseu was too hot!
What is an inference?
The independent variable in an investigation testing the effect of different types of music on plant growth.
What are the music types?
This is a possible answer to a scientific question, usually in the form of an "If...then...because" statement.
What is a hypothesis?
This word describes data that is based on numbers.
What is quantitative?
This needs to be at the top of every graph you make.
What is a title that identifies both the independent variable and the dependent variable?
The 6th grade science notebooks are neatly stacked on the shelves, so that must mean their table of contents are all up-to-date because 6th graders are organized!
What is an inference?
This is the dependent variable in an investigation testing how the speed of an airplane is affected by the weight of its cargo?
What is the airplane's speed?
These are the step-by-step instructions for scientific investigations.
What is a procedure?
This word describes data that is not based on numbers- and might include sketches and descriptive observations.
What is qualitative?
This need to be included in parentheses (___) on the labels of each axis.
What is the unit?