Name:
Mod:
The format for writing a hypothesis is…
IF…. (describe what you will do in the experiment)
THEN…. (predict the outcome of the experiment.)
BECAUSE…. (Why you think this will happen – past experience)
(If I do ________________ then _____________ will happen because ____________.)
1. Two 8th grade students wanted to know the effect of shoe brand on speed. They took 2 brands of track
shoe (Nike and Adidas) and measured 50-yard dash times in each brand of shoe. They compared the dash
times to see which shoe resulted in the lowest sprint times.
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
2. Laura loved to chew gum– and she especially liked to blow bubbles. She wondered if the type of
sweetener (real sugar or artificial sweetener) affected the size of the bubble. Laura got a pack of regular
gum and a pack of sugar-free gum and chewed each. She blew the largest possible bubbles for each type of
gum– then she measured the size of the bubbles to see if the sweetener type made a difference.
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
3. Amanda had trouble focusing on homework. She’d sit at her desk in her bedroom and stare at her books,
but her mind would wander and she couldn’t focus on her work. She wondered if she could focus better if
she turned off all of the distractions around her. She got her homework together and turned off the TV and
all of the other things in her room that made noise- making her room silent. She predicted that eliminating
“background noise” would help her focus.
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
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Lyons 2016-2017
4. Ryan got grounded by his parents because he had a D in science class. He wondered if moving his seat to
the front of the class would help him pay attention in class and raise his grade.
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
5.Tim wondered if eliminating all carbohydrates from his diet would help him lose weight. He weighed
himself on Monday, then ate no food high in carbs for 7 days. He re-weighed himself the following Monday.
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
6. Will a plant inside a closed plastic bag grow taller than a regular plant?
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
7. Do birds with longer or shorter wings fly faster?
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
8. Are more small dogs are adopted at animal shelters than large dogs?
If __________________________________________________________________________________
Then _________________________________________________________________________________
Because _____________________________________________________________________________
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An observation is any _______________________ collected with the ___________
•
•
_____________________________
•
Measurable ________________________________________
•
Quantity ________________________
•
__________________
•
4 marbles
•
______________________
•
35 degrees Celsius
_____________________________
•
Describable traits or __________________________
•
NO _______________ or ________________
•
Quality _________________________
•
red flower
•
smells like ______________________________
•
Tastes _________________
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Quantitative
Qualitative
Answers only:
1 __________ 2_____________
5_____________
3___________
4_____________________________________
6_____________
4
Observation:
Based on ______________________________
Inference:
•
Based on__________________________ AND prior __________________________________
•
Drawing a conclusion from given _____________________________________________
List 3 Observations: (Squirrel picture):

__________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________
Inference: ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Prediction: Using current ______________________ and prior experience to state what
___________________________________in the ____________________. My or may not _____________
But should be __________________
5
Imagine that an intergalactic spaceship stopped on one of six planets revolving
around a large star. Astronauts explored the planet. They observed and interacted
with a strange organism. In a record of the exploration, an astronaut wrote the
following:
1) The organism frowned to show it did not like strangers
2) The organism is green with brown spots
3) The organism lives on the other side of the planet
4) The organism moved away from us because it was afraid
5) The organism makes gurgling noises
6) The organism’s four toes on each foot are webbed
7) The organism has one green eye and two blue eyes
8) The planet must be hot because the creature is sweating
9) The organism can turn its head in a complete circle
10) The organism moves slowly, so it must be old
11)The organism picks up objects with the three fingers on each of its two hands
12) The organism’s arms are longer than its legs
13) The organism must like to eat yellow plants because it is holding ten of them
14) The organism has no fingernails or toenails
Read each statement and underline the parts of each statement that
can be observed.
On SEPARATE PAPER, Make a drawing of the organism.
Your drawing should include only what was observed.
(do not add any outside details)
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Directions: Read the following scenarios. Write a possible explanation (inference) for each
example.
1. You get woken up in the middle of the night, because you hear your dog barking loudly. What
can you infer? ____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. While playing in your backyard, you notice that one of your plants is not as healthy as the
others. What can you infer? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and
plopped onto the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell
asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school
the next day, he was noticeably upset. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup
can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged
loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his
controller.
Infer why Kyle is upset? __________________________________________________
4. "William, don't forget your towel!" Mom shouted as she applied sunblock on the baby. William
threw the folding chairs in the back of the minivan and shouted through the garage door, "OK
Mom!" He then ran up and grabbed his towel. "Georgie!" William shouted. There was no response.
Mom packed the baby up into the car seat. "William, can you help me with his umbrella?" William
ran down the stairs, almost tripping over a chew toy, and then he helped his mother load the large
umbrella in the minivan. "Mom, I can't find Georgie," William said. His mother shrugged and
replied, "That's OK, William. He probably shouldn't come with us anyway."
Where are Mom and William going (infer)? __________________________________
Infer who is Georgie? _______________________________________________
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Directions: Identify the following statements as an observation, inference, or
prediction.
1) Perhaps the marble sunk to the bottom of the container because it had a greater mass.
________________________
2) The boy had a blue shirt on. ____________________
3) Maybe the tide was so high today because we are experiencing a full moon.
_____________________
4) The Beverly Panther Football team will win their game tonight. _____________________
5) I had dance lessons until 6:00 PM last night. _____________________________
Directions: Look around the room. Write down 1 observation, 1 inference based on
your observation, and 1 prediction.
Observation: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Inference: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Prediction: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________8
: Scientific Method
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The _______ thing that you ___________ on ____________ is called the
independent or _______________ variable.
The thing that changes as a __________________ of the manipulated variable is
called the _________________ or _______________ variable. This is what you
_______________ or observe or record.
An experiment in which all factors except ______ are kept __________ is called a
____________________ experiment
________________________ variables are _____ the things you keep the
_________ in an experiment.
I/MV: __________________
D/RV: __________________
CVs: _______________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________
I/MV: __________________
D/RV: __________________
CVs: ______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
I/MV: __________________
D/RV: __________________
CVs: _______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
I/MV: __________________
D/RV: __________________
CVs: _______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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Experiment #1
Marge Simpson decided to start a new garden in her backyard. She heard that plants
compete for space and decided to test this idea. She bought a mixture of flower seeds and
some potting soil. Into each of 5 plastic cups she put the same amount of soil. In the first
cup she planted 2 seeds, in the second cup she planted 4 seeds, in the third cup 8 seeds, and
in the fourth cup she planted 16 seeds. In the last cup she planted 32 seeds. After 25 days,
she determined which set of plants looked best.
Hypothesis (If….then…. because…..) If _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated/Independent variable (IV):
Dependent variable (DV):
(The ONE thing that is changed):_____________________
(The thing that will be measured):_______________________________
Controls:(ALL the things that will be kept the same):______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Experiment #2
Homer was told that a certain itching cream was the newest best thing on the
market, it even claims to cause 50% shorter lasting itches because it contains
caffeine. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compares it to his usual
product which contains aloe vera. On one itching spot, he puts the new product. On another
itching spot, he puts his old cream. He then times how long it takes for the products to stop
his itch.
Hypothesis: (If….then…. because…..) __________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated/Independent variable (IV):________________________________________
Dependent variable (DV):_________________________________________
Controls:_______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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Experiment #3
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers.
He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in
this case, they’re supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special
juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has
made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
Manipulated/Independent variable (IV):________________________________________
Dependent variable (DV):_________________________________________
Controls:_______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How could this experiment be improved? _______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Experiment 4:
You are given the following data on the relationship between the number of dinner guests at
The Simpsons’ house and the amount of time the family will need to prepare dinner.
What are the independent and dependent variables? ____Independent= _______________
_______________________Dependent_____________________________________________
How are the independent and dependent variables related? (Be as precise as you can)
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________ 13
DIRECTIONS: Using the information below, fill in the problem statement, variables, and possible
hypothesis for each.
1. Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems.
Each group was given the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group
computed without calculators.
Problem (Question):______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated Variable __________________ Dependent Variable __________________________
Controlled Variables______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to assemble. The puzzle assembly
time was measured.
Problem (Question):______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated Variable __________________ Dependent Variable __________________________
Controlled Variables______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. A student wanted to determine if temperature had an effect on the growth of bean plants.
The student grew 15 plants in 15 pots containing the same type and amount of soil. Five
plants were kept at 60°F, and five plants were kept at 77°F. The height of the plant was
recorded after two weeks.
Problem (Question):______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated Variable __________________ Dependent Variable __________________________
Controlled Variables______________________________________________________________
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4. An experiment was performed to determine how the amount of coffee grounds affects the
taste of coffee
Problem (Question):______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated Variable __________________ Dependent Variable __________________________
Controlled Variables______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. In a recent study, middle school students were given a math exam after various amounts
of sleep. One group slept 8 hours or more, and the second group slept fewer than 8 hours.
The students had similar skills in math. They ate the same meals the previous day. The
study results showed that students who slept 8 hours or more scored better on the exam,
while students who slept less than 8 hours scored worse.
Problem (Question):______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated Variable __________________ Dependent Variable __________________________
Controlled Variables______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car.
Problem (Question):______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Manipulated Variable __________________ Dependent Variable __________________________
Controlled Variables______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Read the description for each experiment and answer the questions.
Krusty Krabs Breath Mints: Mr. Krabs created a secret ingredient for a breath mint that he thinks
will “cure” the bad breath people get from eating crabby patties at the Krusty Krab. He asked 100
customers with a history of bad breath to try his new breath mint. He had fifty customers (Group A)
eat a breath mint after they finished eating a crabby patty. The other fifty (Group B) also received a
breath mint after they finished the sandwich, however, it was just a regular breath mint and did not
have the secret ingredient. Both groups were told that they were getting the breath mint that would
cure their bad breath. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, thirty customers in Group A and
ten customers in Group B reported having better breath than they normally had after eating crabby
patties.
1. Which people are in the control group? _____________________________________
2. What is the independent/manipulated variable? ___________________________________
3. What is the dependent variable? ________________________________________
4. What should Mr. Krabs’ conclusion be? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do you think 10 people in group B reported fresher breath? _________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SpongeBob Clean Pants: SpongeBob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they
used to be. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new brand of
laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart. SpongeBob made sure to wash one pair of pants in plain
water and another pair in water with the Clean-O detergent. After washing both pairs of pants a
total of three times, the pants washed in the Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner
than the pants washed in plain water.
6. What was the problem SpongeBob wanted to investigate? ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ ?
7. What is the independent/manipulated variable? ___________________________________
8. What is the dependent variable? ________________________________________
9. What should Sponge Bob’s conclusion be? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Squidward’s Symphony: Squidward loves playing his clarinet and believes it attracts more
jellyfish than any other instrument he has played. In order to test his hypothesis, Squidward played
a song on his clarinet for a total of 5 minutes and counted the number of jellyfish he saw in his front
yard. He played the song a total of 3 times on his clarinet and
repeated the experiment using a flute and a guitar. He also
recorded the number of jellyfish he observed when he was not
playing an instrument. The results are shown in the chart.
10. What is the independent/manipulated variable? ___________________________________
11. What is the dependent variable? ________________________________________
12. Are the results reliable?________Why or why not? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Super Bubbles: Patrick and SpongeBob love to blow bubbles! Patrick found some Super Bubble
Soap at Sail-Mart. The ads claim that Super Bubble Soap will produce
bubbles that are twice as big as bubbles made with regular bubble soap.
Patrick and SpongeBob made up two samples of bubble solution.
One sample was made with 5 oz. of Super Bubble Soap and 5 oz. of
water, while the other was made with the same amount of water and 5 oz.
of regular bubble soap. Patrick and SpongeBob used their favorite bubble
wands to blow 10 different bubbles and did their best to measure the
diameter of each one. The results are shown in the chart
14. What is the independent variable? __________________________________________
15. What is the controlled variables? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
16. Look at the results in the chart. Calculate the average diameter for each bubble solution (you
may use a calculator).
Super Bubble = ______ cm Regular Soap = ________ cm
17. What should their conclusion be? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Name: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Science Mod: _______
__________________________________
Title of Lab
Problem:
__________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Safety: ______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Materials: ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
*Independent/Manipulated Variable: _______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
*Controlled Variables (controls):__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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*Dependent/Responding Variable: ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Procedure: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Data/Results/Observations: ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Sources of Error: ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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