Types of Variables

Lab Brief #2

🎯 Your mission

Understand the idea. Then look for it everywhere.

⚡ The twist

Every solution creates a new problem. That's good — that's the next project.

What you'll learn

Variables in experiments include the independent variable (what you change), dependent variable (what you measure), and controlled variables (what you keep the same).

Key words

variable
Anything in an experiment that can change.
experiment
A careful test done to learn something or answer a question.

Make a hypothesis first

Predict: which design will hold the most weight?

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Design an experiment to test a hypothesis. Identify your independent variable, dependent variable, and controls. Run the experiment and present results.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Compare the before and after states.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?

Question 1 of 2

What is the dependent variable?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 2

What is the independent variable?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🚀 The Saturn V rocket burned 20 tons of fuel per second at liftoff.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 2 right.

Next: Writing a Hypothesis All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Experiment

We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: Every bridge, building, and gadget you've ever used started with this.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Find something that's broken at home and try to figure out *why* it broke.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “What's something around the house you'd redesign — and how?”

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Types of Variables

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Types of Variables

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