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Scientific Investigation Planning Template

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Scientific Investigation Planning Template

Plan a fair test using the scenario, then design an investigation that another student could repeat.

The seedling challenge

Freya has 12 similar seedlings. She plans to place six on a bright windowsill and six in a dark cupboard. She will measure each seedling’s height every three days for two weeks. She will use the same type of pot and soil for every seedling. However, she plans to water the windowsill seedlings every day and the cupboard seedlings every second day.

Investigate the plan

Read the challenge carefully. Decide which parts of Freya’s plan will help her answer her question and which parts need improving.

1.From Freya’s plan, write an investigation aim as a question that can be tested by measuring the seedlings.

2.What is the independent variable in Freya’s investigation—the factor she deliberately changes?

The amount of light the seedlings receive
The height of each seedling
The type of pot used
The number of days in the investigation

3.What is the dependent variable—the result Freya measures to see what happens?

4.Classify each factor in Freya’s plan as changed, measured, or kept the same: amount of light, seedling height, type of pot, and type of soil.

5.Find the fairness problems in Freya’s plan. Explain how she should change it so that light is the only planned difference between the groups.

Build a fair test

Use the questions below to improve the investigation. There is more than one sensible way to plan a fair test; example answers are provided.

6.Complete the prediction: “If seedlings receive less light, then I predict they will because .”

7.Choose two more factors, besides pot type and soil, that Freya should keep the same for a fair test.

Seedling type and amount of water
Amount of light and seedling height
Cupboard colour and window view
Measurement results and growth

8.Match each investigation term to its meaning.

Independent variable
Dependent variable
Controlled variable

The result measured
A factor kept the same
The factor deliberately changed

9.Freya has 12 seedlings. Suggest how she could divide them between the two light conditions and explain why using several seedlings in each group is better than using just one.

10.Write a brief method for measuring growth over two weeks. Include when measurements will be taken and one way to make the measurements consistent.

11.How could Freya present her results so she can compare the groups and see changes over time? Name one useful way to display them.