Presentation on basic situational analysis in science, analyzing the different key elements in scientific scenarios. The benefit is that students are more capable in creating their own experiments with the proper elements in them. Helps in analyzing data as well as developing conclusions. Used in JHS and Middle school science classes

1. For Science Scenarios
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John Schmied©2014

2. You are given a scenario (short story) & you
analyze the situation.
By analyzing you:
Identify key parts of the experiment
 Study subject (ss)
 Manipulated (MV), Responding (RV),
 Controlled (CV) & Uncontrolled variables (UCV)
 Control (CT) & Experimental trials (ET)
Then you use these key items to create a
question , a prediction, and a hypothesis (QPH)
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3. Study Subject (SS)
Manipulated (changed) Variable (MV)
Responding (measured) Variable (RV)
Controlled Variables (CV) (Not MV or RV!)
Uncontrolled Variables that Matter (UCV) (Not MV or RV!)
Experimental Trial (ET)
Control Trial (CT)
You’ll create:
Scientific Question (contains SS, MV, RV)
Prediction (If – Then, compared to statement)
Hypothesis (If, Then, compared to, Because [MV,RV, SS &
Reason Why] statement)

4. Study Subject (SS) = The subject (animal, plant, object etc) that is
being studied.
Manipulated (changed) Variable (MV) = The ONE variable being
changed for the purpose of testing the hypothesis. There’s only one MV
Responding (measured) Variable (RV) = The variable being measured.
Usually changes in response to changes in the manipulated variable.
There can be more than one RV.
Controlled Variables (Not MV or RV) = A variable kept the same in an
experiment
Uncontrolled Variables [that Matter] (Not MV or RV) = Variables that
are not controlled & can affect the results of an experiment (cause
error)
Control Trial = The “natural” situation, used to compare to the
Experimental Trial. (Does not have the MV)
Experiment Trial = Trial contains the manipulated variable, used to
test the hypothesis.
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5. schmied©2014
There’s only
one MV
in an
experiment!
There can be
more than
one RV in an
experiment

6. In this experiment 5
Arabian horses are fed a
mix of all kinds of grass.
Another group of 5
Arabian horses are
only fed oats
The Horse Race
A month later,
these groups are
raced against
each other
in a mile race.
Elapsed times
are recorded &
compared.
Other data:
• The entire track surface is dry
& smooth
• All horses have the same type
of saddles
• Jockeys weigh between 120-
135lbs
Tell the:
a. SS b. MV c. RV
d. CT e. ET
f. Controlled Variables
g. Uncontrolled Variable(s)
schmied©2013

7. 5 Arabian horses fed a
mix of all kinds of grass.
5 Arabian horses
only fed oats
The Horse Race
Tell the:
a. SS = Arabian Horses b. MV = Diet of the horses
c. RV = Total Elapsed times of each group
d. CT = Arabians - all kinds of grass e. ET = Arabians - Oats
f. Controlled Variables = Same: saddle, distance, track
surface, type & number or horses, same track
g. Uncontrolled Variable(s) = Jockey’s weight schmied©2013

8. The Horse Race
Writing A Scientific Question
Basic rules for writing scientific questions.
1. Write Questions, Predictions & Hypothesis about the
Experimental Trial.
2. Do not create scientific questions that can be answered
by a simple “Yes” or “No”.
3. Do not use the word CHANGE. Be SPECIFIC ( Instead use
terms like Increase, Decrease, Remain the same)
4. Use proper names (nouns). Don’t use pronouns.
5. Use correct conventions. (Capitalization, question
marks, etc.)
schmied©2014

9. The Horse Race
SS
MV
Data Needed for QPH:
a. SS = Arabian Horses
b. MV = Diet of the horses
c. RV = Total Elapsed times of each group
d. CT = Arabians - all kinds of grass
e. ET = Arabians - Oats
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How will feeding oats to
Arabian horses affect
the horse’s time in the mile?
RV

10. The Horse Race
If contains the Manipulated Variable and Study Subject
(in either order!),
Then contains the Experimental Trial, then a specific
prediction about the Responding Variable
Compared to contains the Control (if a control is used)
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Prediction
If – Then – Compared to Format

11. The Horse Race
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IF Arabian horses are fed a diet of oats,
SS MV
Then the horses fed oats will run faster,
ET Prediction about RV
Compared to Arabian horses fed grass.
CT
Prediction
“If, Then, Compared to”

12. The Horse Race - BECAUSE
Hypothesis” Add Because – Therefore statement.
a. The Because gives a logical, realistic, reason for
choosing the predicted outcome.
b. The Because includes the Reason Why as well as
the Study Subject, Manipulated Variable, &
Responding Variable in the explanation.
Hypothesis “Because…. Therefore”
Because oats have more nutrition than grass.
Reason Why
Therefore the Arabian horses will run a faster time
in the mile on a diet of oats.
schmied©2013
SS RV
MV

13. The Horse Race
Completed Hypothesis
IF Arabian horses are fed a diet of oats,
SS MV
Then the horses fed oats will run faster,
ET Prediction about RV
Compared to Arabian horses fed grass.
CT
Because oats have more nutrition than grass.
Reason Why
Therefore the Arabian horses will run a faster time
in the mile on a diet of oats.
schmied©2013
SS RV
MV

14. Holstein Milk Challenge
In this experiment 12
Holstein cows are kept in
pasture all day.
Another group of 12
Holstein cows are given
exercise in the morning,
then kept in pasture.
At 6 AM & 5 PM
the 2 groups are
milked in the
barn. The total
amount of milk
given by each
group is recorded
Other data: & compared.
• The cow pasture is 40 acres
• During the trials two of the
pasture cows get pregnant.
• All cows are given the same feed
and milked w/same machines
• One of the exercise cows escapes,
but is found the next morning
Tell the:
a. SS b. MV c. RV
d. CT e. ET
f. Controlled Variables
g. Uncontrolled Variable(s)
schmied©2013

15. Holstein Milk Challenge
In this experiment 12
Holstein cows are kept
in pasture all day.
Another group of 12
Holstein cows are
exercised in the morning,
then kept in pasture.
a. SS = Holstein Cows
b. MV = Exercise
c. RV = amount of milk given by each group’s cows
d. CT = Cows in pasture e. ET = Cows given exercise
f. CV = Same: Pasture, feed, time milked, barn, machines
g. UCV = 2 “pasture” cows get pregnant,
1 “exercise” cow escaped over night
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16. Holstein Milk Challenge
Use your knowledge
to create a:
Question
Prediction and a
Hypothesis for this challenge
Whoa Bessie !!!