Observation • Use your senses to make ari observation about
your environment.
Questions
• Create a hypothesis that can be tested in an experiment.
Remember, a hypothesis has a specific "If then" wording. It describes what will happen to the dependent variable
when changes are made to the independent variable. For example, "If a plant is fertilized (independent variable).
then it will grow faster (dependent variable)
• Design and plan an experiment
Be sure to identify an independent variable, a dependent variable, and any controls. Remember, controls are factors
which stay the same. In an experiment designed to test the previously stated hypothesis, one control would be to
use the same kind of plant. Write a complete description of your experiment. Include a list of necessary materials. It
is a good idea to follow a step-by-step procedure format. Think of everything you need to do, then write it down in
the order it must be completed. Your description and procedure should be clear enough that another person could
duplicate your experiment exactly.