Testing for Control Variables in a Fair Test

PYP: How the World Works

Student Workpage

Central Idea: Experimenting and investigating lead us to uncover how the natural world works.

Line of Inquiry: Defining the factors that determine a fair test

What? Students participate in “unfair” tests with a small group in order to determine what makes a test accurate.

How? After a whole class example of how to perform the first activity on the sheet to the left, each group followed the procedure to complete all three activities. For the first activity, a soccer ball and a kick ball were dropped from different heights and the bounce height was to be recorded. My students were able to determine that the data they gathered from each test was not valid. Additionally they identified what conditions need to be controlled (controlled variable) in order for the results to be accurate.

Why? Scientists do everything in their power to obtain accurate results when conducting experiments in order for their discoveries to be valid. Understanding what makes a test unfair will help my students set up experiments and activities that give proper results.

  • Student answers that demonstrate knowledge of a fair test and that there can be multiple controlled variables.
  • Ball Drop Test from different heights