Practice Scenarios: The Scientific Method
Directions:
- Read each of the scenarios below.
- For each scenario identify the parts of the scientific method.
Scenarios:
1. Ten sunflower seeds were planted in each of 5 pots found around the house that contained 500g of “Pete’s Potting Soil.” The pots were given the following amounts of distilled water each day for 40 days:
v Pot #1: 50mL
v Pot #2: 100mL
v Pot #3: 150mL
v Pot #4: 200mL
v Pot #5: 250mL
Because Pot #3 received the recommended amount of water, it was used as the control. The height of each plant was measured at the end of the experiment.
Identify the following:
- Independent variable: ______
- Levels of the independent variable: ______
- Dependent variable: ______
- Number of repeated trials: ______
- Constants: ______
- Controls (if present): ______
2. Susan observed that different types and amounts of fossils were present in a cliff behind her house. She wondered if changes in fossil types occurred from the top to the bottom of the cliff. She marked the cliff bank at 5 positions starting from the surface: 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 25m. She removed 1 bucket of soil from each of the 5 positions and determined the type and number of fossils in each sample.
Identify the following:
- Independent variable: ______
- Levels of the independent variable: ______
- Dependent variable: ______
- Number of repeated trials: ______
- Constants: ______
- Controls (if present): ______
Practice Scenarios: The Scientific Method
KEY
Directions:
- Read each of the scenarios below.
- For each scenario identify the parts of the scientific method.
Scenarios:
1. Ten sunflower seeds were planted in each of 5 pots found around the house that contained 500g of “Pete’s Potting Soil.” The pots were given the following amounts of distilled water each day for 40 days:
v Pot #1: 50mL
v Pot #2: 100mL
v Pot #3: 150mL
v Pot #4: 200mL
v Pot #5: 250mL
Because Pot #3 received the recommended amount of water, it was used as the control. The height of each plant was measured at the end of the experiment.
Identify the following:
- Independent variable: ___amount of water____
- Levels of the independent variable: __50mL, 100mL, 200mL, 250mL____
- Dependent variable: ___height of plant growth_____
- Number of repeated trials: __4 (in pots 1, 2, 4, 5)___
- Constants: __distilled water, 500g potting soil, time – 40days, types of seed, types of pots____
- Controls (if present): _Pot #3 – 150mL___
2. Susan observed that different types and amounts of fossils were present in a cliff behind her house. She wondered if changes in fossil types occurred from the top to the bottom of the cliff. She marked the cliff bank at 5 positions starting from the surface: 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 25m. She removed 1 bucket of soil from each of the 5 positions and determined the type and number of fossils in each sample.
Identify the following:
- Independent variable: __Position of soil removal____
- Levels of the independent variable: ___5m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 25m____
- Dependent variable: __type of fossil discovered____
- Number of repeated trials: __5 – each position of soil remocal____
- Constants: __amount of soil removed (1 bucket), same horizontal location__
- Controls (if present): ___None______