Starter

Problems:
A student plans to conduct an investigation to determine the effects of a soil pollutant on the growth of
tomato plants. She designs a primary investigation and summarizes her plan in the table below.
Which of the following makes this investigation invalid?
a. The experiment uses one type of plant
b. The experiment does not have a control
c. The amount of water is different for each plant
d. The amount of pollutant is different for each plant

You need to evaluate the reliability of some information that you found on the Internet when
writing an assignment. Which of the following criteria would you use?
e. Material/information that is the same on numerous reputable websites
f. Material you find on Wikipedia
g. Material that was written by a university professor.
h. Material that is explained on a youtube video.
Which of the following makes this investigation invalid?
a. The experiment uses one type of plant
b. The experiment does not have a control
c. The amount of water is different for each plant
d. The amount of pollutant is different for each plant

• Answer: C
• The experiment is invalid because there is more than one independent variable. For a valid test
we need to have only 1 thing we change (i.e., only 1 independent variable), which in this case
would be the amount of pollutant exposure. Everything else must be kept the same (i.e. our
control variables). The amount of water, for example, is a control variable and needs to be kept
the same.
You need to evaluate the reliability of some information that you
found on the Internet when writing an assignment. Which of the
following criteria would you use?
a. Material/information that is the same on numerous reputable websites
b. Material you find on Wikipedia
c. Material that was written by a university professor.
d. Material that is explained on a youtube video.

• Answer: A – repetition ensures reliability

Objectives
• Recall the parts of a hypothesis
• Develop the first draft of your hypothesis and background for your experiment
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an answer to your aim/RQ which can be tested through study and
experimentation. A hypothesis can be backed up with an appropriate justification that is 1-2
sentences long and should be written in present tense.
Use the ‘if-then-because’ format to write a hypothesis.
IF tells the readers what will be changed (the independent/manipulated variable).
THEN tells the reader what will happen because of the change and how it affects the
dependent variable.
BECAUSE tells the reader how you know this will occur and should be based on prior
knowledge or inference.

***NOTE: You do not lose marks if your hypothesis turns

out to be incorrect. Proving a hypothesis incorrect is as
important as proving them correct.
Lessons 7 to 14
Cycle Day Description of Day’s Task Exit ticket
Research Questions Exit ticket: Use the guide provided to
1.Brainstorm variables that might affect the falling speed of your whirlybird. construct your research question (RQ).
Lesson 1 2.Feedback to the class your list of possible independent variables.
3.Choose one variable that you will investigate.
Variables Your exit ticket will be an explanation of one
1.Use your RQ and the guide provided to fully develop your independent variables. of the areas that needs controlling.
2.Use your guide to fill in your control variables table. Remember that you must explain both how and why they
Lesson 2 need to be controlled now.
Top tip: Look back at the other things that were brainstormed that might affect the falling speed from last lesson
when thinking about your controls.
Background information and method Your exit ticket today: Show me evidence of
1.Use the guide provided to research the key areas and background information. Include in-text citations. the resources that you have used!
Lesson 3 2.After you have researched the key areas, use the guide provided to help you write your hypothesis.
3.Use the guide to help you write your method. Remember to make sure that you include a safety section.
Top tip: Remember to include your control variables in your method.
Method and Whirlybirds Exit ticket: Show me your whirlybirds! Make
Lesson 4 1.Complete your method. Have someone read it for peer feedback. What doesn’t make sense to them? Why? sure all materials are fully prepared to
2.Make your whirlbirds for data collection next lesson. gather your data next lesson.
DATA COLLECTION!
Lesson 5 Top tip: Write down your observations as you go. Your evaluation will be sooooo much easier when you come to it.
Tables and graphs Exit ticket: 2 stars and a wish from someone’s
Lesson 6 1.Use your guide to build a table and graph of your averages. table and graph.
Conclusions Exit ticket: A complete conclusion for Mr O to
1.Use your guide to write a conclusion from the results collected. see on your way out.
Lesson 7 2.Begin completing the evaluation table. Make sure to revisit your RQ, your hypothesis, and your observations on the
day.
Evaluation Exit ticket: Upload your finished document!
1.Complete your evaluation as per the guide instructions.
Lesson 8 2.Proof read a critical buddy’s work.
Background: Some things to keep in mind
Should be in paragraph format
Why is this topic important to the world?
Research your independent and dependent variable.
Research on professional investigations that are similar to what you are doing.
Data tables, graphs and pictures are welcome but you must cite them.
Which method would be best for your lab and why.
The research here may be copied into any other section or you may bring in new
science.
Credible

Reliable
Student Work
Lessons 7 to 14

We will be using the same process that you use in PHE. Research

You will conduct research and thus will learn about the
what, why and how of whirlybirds. What/Why/How

You will then design and do your experiment. Do

At the end of criteria B and C, you will draw conclusions
from and evaluate your experiment. Review
However, we will not be repeating the do and review
part of the process/cycle.
Lessons 7 to 14
Cycle Day Description of Day’s Task Exit ticket
Research Questions Exit ticket: Use the guide provided to
1.Brainstorm variables that might affect the falling speed of your whirlybird. construct your research question (RQ).
Lesson 1 2.Feedback to the class your list of possible independent variables.
3.Choose one variable that you will investigate.
Variables Your exit ticket will be an explanation of one
1.Use your RQ and the guide provided to fully develop your independent variables. of the areas that needs controlling.
2.Use your guide to fill in your control variables table. Remember that you must explain both how and why they
Lesson 2 need to be controlled now.
Top tip: Look back at the other things that were brainstormed that might affect the falling speed from last lesson
when thinking about your controls.
Background information and method Your exit ticket today: Show me evidence of
1.Use the guide provided to research the key areas and background information. Include in-text citations. the resources that you have used!
Lesson 3 2.After you have researched the key areas, use the guide provided to help you write your hypothesis.
3.Use the guide to help you write your method. Remember to make sure that you include a safety section.
Top tip: Remember to include your control variables in your method.
Method and Whirlybirds Exit ticket: Show me your whirlybirds! Make
Lesson 4 1.Complete your method. Have someone read it for peer feedback. What doesn’t make sense to them? Why? sure all materials are fully prepared to
2.Make your whirlbirds for data collection next lesson. gather your data next lesson.
DATA COLLECTION!
Lesson 5 Top tip: Write down your observations as you go. Your evaluation will be sooooo much easier when you come to it.
Tables and graphs Exit ticket: 2 stars and a wish from someone’s
Lesson 6 1.Use your guide to build a table and graph of your averages. table and graph.
Conclusions Exit ticket: A complete conclusion for Mr O to
1.Use your guide to write a conclusion from the results collected. see on your way out.
Lesson 7 2.Begin completing the evaluation table. Make sure to revisit your RQ, your hypothesis, and your observations on the
day.
Evaluation Exit ticket: Upload your finished document!
1.Complete your evaluation as per the guide instructions.
Lesson 8 2.Proof read a critical buddy’s work.
Review
In a hypothesis, what does the “If” clause tell readers?
IF tells the readers what will be changed (the independent/manipulated variable).
What does the “Then” clause tell readers?
THEN tells the reader what will happen because of the change and how it affects
the dependent variable.
What does the “Because” clause tell us?
BECAUSE tells the reader how you know this will occur and should be based on
prior knowledge or inference.