Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials
Given a set of materials, a good scientific question is one that can be answered through a controlled experiment using only those materials. It requires you to think like a scientist and design a testable investigation.
Concept
This skill involves looking at a list of available materials and brainstorming a scientific question that can be answered by using them. **The Process:** 1. **Analyze the materials:** What do you have? What can they do? 2. **Identify potential variables:** What can you change (independent variable)? What can you measure (dependent variable)? 3. **Formulate a question:** Based on the variables, create a question in the format: "What is the effect of [independent variable] on the [dependent variable]?" **Example:** * **Materials:** Seeds, pots, soil, water, ruler, different types of light (sunlight, fluorescent, red light). * **Potential Independent Variables:** Type of light, amount of water. * **Potential Dependent Variables:** Plant height, number of leaves. * **Possible Questions:** * "What is the effect of the type of light on the height of the plants?" * "What is the effect of the amount of water on the number of leaves that grow?"
Try it
Practice: Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials.