8th Grade: Scientific Method Practice

Master scientific method variables! This worksheet helps 6th-8th graders identify IVs, DVs, control groups, and conclusions.

Watch the video. What is the difference between independent and dependent variables? Sort it: For each problem or question, determine which is the independent variable and which is the dependent.Remember, independent variable is the one that is being manipulated (changed), the dependent variable is what we can measure to see how the manipulation affected the experiment. 1. How much does the addition of Miracle Gro (fertilizer) affect plant growth?2. Does a rocket travel farther at a 45% angle or a 30% angle?3. Will the size of a paper airplane affect the distance traveled?4. Does the brand of shoe affect a person's vertical jump? Independent Variable addition of Miracle Gro angle of launch size of airplane brand of shoe Dependent Variable plant growth distance traveled vertical jump height distance plane traveled Matching: Krusty Krabs Special Sauce Mr. Krabs created a special sauce that he wanted to test on his krabby patties. He hypothesized that if he added the special sauce, more people would want to buy his hamburgers. On Monday of Week 1, he began to add the special sauce to all of the hamburgers. He recorded the amount of customers that returned that week to buy his krabby patties with the special sauce. One Monday of Week 2, he served normal krabby patties (no special sauce) and tracked how many repeat customers he had. At the end of the two weeks, he looked at this data and noticed that he had about the same number of returning customers both weeks. Independent Variable special sauce Dependent Variable Number of people who returned to buy crabby patties that week Experimental Group People who got the special sauce Control Group People who did not get the special sauce Constant Variables the meat of the krabby patties What was Mr. Krabs able to conclude? Due to the fact that more people returned when they received special sauce, it is an effective addition. Due to the fact that the number of return purchases was the close to same, the special sauce is not effective. His hypothesis was NOT correct. The data was inconclusive. Mr. Krab cannot tell is the special sauce worked or not. Due to the fact that the number of return purchases was the close to same, the special sauce is not effective. His hypothesis was correct.