Science Variables

Some students are making paper airplanes. They are measuring the number of feet that each paper airplane flies. They can vary the design of their plane. Each student gets one sheet of the same kind of 8 1/2 x 11 blank computer paper. They aren't allowed to use tape, and the time they have to make their plane is 5 minutes.

Independent

Dependent

Controlled

Four students are growing plants, but they don't know how much light to give them. They are measuring the height of their plants after 20 days. But, the students vary the location of the plants to see where they will grow best. Student A puts their plant in a dark closet, Student B puts their plant in a dimly lit room, Student C puts their plant in the shade of a tree, and Student D puts their plant in a patch of bright sunlight. Each student waters their plant with the same amount of water, 80 milliliters every day, and each plant is in the same size of pot and is in the same amount of soil.

Independent

Dependent

Controlled