What are the 3 variables in a science experiment? I believe they should be part of every science lesson. In fact, I believe that each and every teacher should be expected to teach them! For example, we could use a science fair project for our 7th graders. Here’s how we could approach it.
First, we would have to describe each variable. Why? Because a topic like this goes more than one way. For example, light, color, sound, heat, etc. have different meaning in different domains. If you were doing an experiment on fire, the temperature, or even the time needed to achieve an equilibrium should also be included.
Second, we could use a concept like causation or correlation. This is a bit trickier than just colors and light. A good example is a study about global warming. There have been several disputes as to whether humans are causing global warming. While there seems to be plenty of evidence, there are disagreements, and some scientists claim there is no way to know. One method that has been used is to look at the patterns of temperature change over time.
Third, we can use a science experiment with control variables. For example, if you are trying to understand the effect of the sun on plants, you might want to control the amount of light received. If you want to control the effect of temperature, you could add a small bit of ice. Control variables are important because they allow you to examine the effects of multiple conditions on the variables. For instance, temperature plays a big role in both photosynthesis and water loss in the leaves of plants.
Finally, I want to introduce variables that are not necessarily physical in nature. For instance, I introduce the concepts of information, motivation, and importance by asking students what they think about certain issues. Motivation refers to how much a person values an idea or question. Information refers to what they know and how reliable they think it is. And importance is how much they value a particular issue in their lives.
Once all these variables are introduced, you can perform your science experiment. Your main goal is to find out which factors are more important to the real world. Then you can do something about it. My next article will focus on what kind of variables you should consider when performing a science project. Stay tuned!
