Variables and Controlled Experimentation

April - May Overview

We will end the year where we began: The Scientific Method! Our Variables study has four labs that will have you fling, float, fly, and flip objects to discover relationships through controlled experimentation.

In our Pendulums lab, you will experiment with variables that do and do not affect the behavior of pendulums. You will graph your results and use your graphs to predict the behavior of additional pendulums.

Then, you will construct a fleet of paper-cup boats and discover how many passengers (pennies) each will hold before sinking. The variables of boat depth and arrangement of passengers are explored.

Next, you will construct rubber-band powered airplanes and fly them on a line. You will then experiment with a number of variables to see how each affects the distance the plane travels.

Finally, you will manipulate small catapults called flippers to investigate the variables that contribute to the highest and longest flips of objects. You will conduct controlled experiments and graph your results.

• This unit will correspond with ISN pages 11-14.

• Lesson Plans

Study and Practice

Assignments