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Scientific Inquiry Introduction

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Scientific Inquiry Introduction

Mei, Amira and Kirra are using the library makerspace to investigate paper spinners. Read the investigation notes and use evidence to answer each question.

The investigation

The group asks: Does the length of a paper spinner’s blades affect how long it takes to fall? They make spinners with 4 cm, 6 cm and 8 cm blades. Each spinner is made from the same type of paper and dropped from the same height. They time each fall three times and calculate the average.

Blade length

Average fall time

4 cm

1.2 seconds

6 cm

1.7 seconds

8 cm

2.1 seconds

Think like an investigator

Use the investigation notes and results table for Questions 1–6.

1.Which is the group’s testable scientific question?

Does blade length affect how long a paper spinner takes to fall?
Which spinner looks the prettiest?
Why do people enjoy making things?

2.Match each investigation word to its meaning.

Hypothesis
Variable
Data
Observation

Something that can change in an investigation
Noticing and describing what happens
Information collected during an investigation
A prediction that can be tested

3.What is the independent variable—the factor the group deliberately changes?

4.What is the dependent variable—the factor the group measures?

5.Name one factor the group keeps the same to make this a fair test.

6.Which blade length had the longest average fall time, and what was that time?

Plan, predict and explain

Now apply the same inquiry ideas to a new makerspace investigation.

7.Mei predicts that longer blades will make a spinner fall more slowly. Does the results table support her hypothesis? Use one piece of data as evidence.

8.Amira wants to investigate whether adding a paper clip changes a spinner’s fall time. Name one factor she should keep the same and explain why.

9.Kirra wants to compare spinner designs. Which plan would give more reliable results?

Drop each design once and use that result.
Drop each design three times from the same height and compare the average times.
Drop each design from a different height and choose the fastest result.

10.Before using scissors or dropping objects in the makerspace, name one sensible safety action.