Inquiry Review

Review Topics Preview:1. Making Observations

2. Testable Questions3. Identifying Variables

1. Making Observations• Good Observations…–Are accurate (correct), detailed, and specific– Should avoid opinion (ex. It looks “nice”)–Often include a drawing/picture/labels– Show or tell about the size of the thing– Include information about location–Often make comparisons to familiar things–Use the senses: sight (ex. color), sound, touch

(texture), smell, taste (caution!)

2. Testable Questions…• Ask about things and events in the natural

world.• Can be answered by experiments,

observations, or surveys.• Are answered using evidence that is

measurable.• *Relate to scientific ideas, NOT opinions.• *Do NOT deal with the supernatural (or

things that can’t be measured).

Testable Questions Practice• Label each as “Testable” or “Not Testable.”• Fix the ones that are not. (Make them

testable.)

1. Does Bigfoot live in North or South America?2. Which type of flour has the most gluten?3. Do short people get better grades?4. Are cats better than dogs?5. Does eating turkey make you tired?6. Does having more ghosts help?

3. Variables

I.V.: What “I” choose to change

D.V.: What we measure or watch

Constants: Things we keep the same

Control: The “normal” test group

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Variables Venn Diagram

• Turn our Plant Experiment into a Venn Diagram:

–Each test group should be a circle.

–Since constants should be the same for every group, they go in the center.

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Simpsons & SpongeBob Practice- Copy this chart into your notebook

- It should take a whole page (sideways)

Experiment

Name

I.V. D.V. Constant(s)

Control

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Experiment Design• Design your own experiment.• Write it down – be detailed!• Give it a Title and Identify the four

items for your experiment.

Title: _______________________________I.V.: _______________________________D.V.: _______________________________Constants (2): ________________________Control:______________________________

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Microscope Observation

Create a DETAILED and ACCURATE drawing of the item below.

Think about size, shape, texture, shading, color, etc.

Use ~ HALF a page.

This represents what you would see in a microscope. It is called the field of view (FOV).

Your drawing should look as close to this as you can possibly make it.

Microscope Observation

After you have completed your drawing, use the bottom ½ of the page to:

1. Add at least 3 written descriptions.2. Write about what you think this is.3. Write what you think the clear circles

are.4. Write what you think the pointer is

showing.

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