Variables
TEKS Objective
Describe, plan, and implement simple experimental investigations testing one variable.
Essential Understanding
The student uses scientific methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations.
Science Background
Experimentation: Visionlearning (website) - Background information about science investigations in which one or more variables are manipulated or observed.
Experimentation
by Anthony Carp and Anne E. Egger, Visionlearning, www.visionlearning.com
Variables in Your Science Fair Project: Science Buddies (website) – Explanation of scientific variables, with numerous examples of dependent, independent and controlled variables.
Variables in Your Science Fair Project
Science Buddies, www.sciencebuddies.org
Signature Lesson
Mint Mobiles: TeachEngineering (website) - Students explore independent, dependent and controlled variables by designing, planning and implementing experimental investigations that use model race cars made from simple materials.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
How to Make a Paper Flyer: BioEd Online (website) - Use this simple activity to describe, plan and implement an experimental investigation testing one variable.
How to Make a Paper Flyer
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org
3-2-1 Pop! NASA (PDF) - Students learn how Newton’s Laws of Motion impact rocket liftoff by constructing a rocket powered by pressure generated by the reaction of an effervescent antacid tablet in water.
3…2…1…PUFF! NASA (PDF) - Students test several variables during this investigation, in which they construct small paper rockets, determine each rocket’s flight stability, and launch the rockets by blowing air through a drinking straw.
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
How to Build a Swinger: FOSSWEB (PDF) - Explore how a pendulum’s movement can be altered by changing a variable. Use No. 3-7 reproducible sheets.
How to Build a Swinger
FOSSWEB, www.fossweb.com
Landslides: Discovery Education (website) - Learn how to design and control different variables in an experiment, how different soil materials can produce varying types of landslides, and how scientists can predict where landslides might occur.
Assessment Ideas
After conducing an investigation involving one or more variables, ask students the following questions and have them write their answers in their science notebooks or journals. What were the dependent and independent variables in the investigation? Were there any other independent variables that you could have changed in the investigation? Did you repeat the investigation and change any of the variables? If so, what changes did you make?
Literature Connections
How to Build a Better Mousetrap Car and Other Experimental Science Fun. Renner, Al G. (ISBN-13: 978-0396074199)
What’s the Plan? Designing Your Experiment. Hyde, Natalie (ISBN-13: 978-0778751540)
Solving Science Questions: A Book About the Scientific Process. Chappell, Rachel M. (ISBN-13: 978-1600445422)
Additional Resources
Introduction to Physical Science: BioEd Online (video) - Introduce physical science as students conduct a simple experiment featuring an easy-to-make paper flyer. Incorporate questioning strategies, mathematics, language arts, and elements of experimental design into a lesson that requires very little advance preparation or materials.
Introduction to Physical Science
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org
TEKS Navigation
Grade 5
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