Scientific Method
List the steps of the scientific
method that you remember.
What is the Scientific Method?
It is a process that is used to find
answers to questions about the world
around us.
A hypothesis is
a prediction of
what you think
your results
will be (based
on research)
Variables
Variable held Constant: What Stays the
SAME during the experiment because
you are not testing it
 Independent variable: What YOU
CHANGE during the experiment
 Dependent variable: How you test the
independent variable (what YOU
OBSERVE or MEASURE)

Control Group
The “normal” – the group or set-up that
does not receive the independent
variable
Used to create a comparison with the
test groups
1. Independent Variable
2. Dependent Variable
3. ONE Variable held Constant
1. Independent Variable- Special Juice
2. Dependent Variable- Productivity of workers
3. ONE Variable held Constant- Same number of workers
1. Independent Variable
2. Dependent Variable
3. ONE Variable held Constant
1. Independent Variable- Coconut Juice
2. Dependent Variable- Amount of green slime
3. ONE Variable held Constant- Same shower
Scientific Method – Controls and
Variables


SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom
Pals have been busy doing a little
research.
For each experiment, determine the
1.
2.
3.
4.
Control Group
Constant Variables
The Independent Variable
The Dependent Variable
Marshmallow Muscles
Larry was told that a certain muscle cream was the newest best thing on
the market and claims to double a person’s muscle power when used as
part of a muscle-building workout. Interested in this product, he buys
the special muscle cream and recruits Patrick and SpongeBob to help
him with an experiment.
Larry develops a special marshmallow weight-lifting program for Patrick
and SpongeBob. He meets with them once every day for a period of 2
weeks and keeps track of their results.
Before each session Patrick’s arms and back are lathered in the muscle
cream, while Sponge Bob’s arms and back are lathered with the regular
lotion.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Control Group
Constant Variables
The Independent Variable
The Dependent Variable
1.
2.
3.
4.
Control Group- Sponge BOB
Constant Variables-amount of time, same program
The Independent Variable-muscle cream
The Dependent Variable- amount of muscle power
Question
Independent
Variable
(What I
change)
Dependent
Variables
(What I observe)
Variable held Constant
(What I keep the same)
Does
heating a
cup of water
allow it to
dissolve
more sugar?
Temperature
of the water
measured in
degrees
Centigrade
Amount of sugar
that dissolves
completely
measured in
grams
Stirring
Type of sugar
Size of cup
Amount of water
Does
fertilizer
make a plant
grow
bigger?
Amount of
fertilizer
measured in
grams
Growth of the
plant measured
by its height
Growth of the
plant measured
by the number
of leaves
Size of pot
Type of plant in each pot
Type and amount of soil
Amount of water and light
Measurements of growth
taken at equal times
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Control Group
The Independent Variable
The Dependent Variable
Control Variables- same materials for bottle
The Independent Variable- length of tubing for bottles nose cone
The Dependent Variable- amount of time in air (aloft)