Variables
Variables
In an experiment, variables are influences or
causes that can “vary,” or be changed.
In an oil lamp, the variables are different kinds of:
When casting a fishing lure, the variables are:
weight of the lure
length of the rod
thickness of the fishing line
strength of the person casting
wind
When testing which bait works most effectively in a trap, the variables
are:
types of bait
visibility of bait
trap location
amount of human disturbance around the trap
etc.
To solve a problem or answer a question, we develop an experiment.
What is causing this outcome? (Which variable is exerting the greatest
influence?)
Why is this happening? For thousands of years, Alaskan people have
been experimenting with building houses, making tools, hunting techniques,
fishing methods, and other issues that deal with survival. Failure to find
the best methods often caused starvation or great discomfort. The old timers
were serious scientists.
Example:
Danny loved fishing and wanted to find out what variables were involved
in casting a fishing lure. He tested different weight lures. He tried rods
of different lengths, He casted into the wind and with the wind. He tried
different kinds of reels and lines. When he was done, he knew exactly which
variables were most important in casting a fishing lure.
Example:
You do well on a test. What are the variables that brought about that
result?
* You studied a lot (hard work).
* The teacher likes you and corrected your work kindly (favoritism).
* You cheated (lack of honesty).
* You ate and slept well before the test (health).
* This is your third time in the sixth grade and you remember the test
from last year and the year before (repetition).
These are all possible variables to your success. Which one affected the
test score the most? You must determine this so you can do well again.
(I do not recommend cheating or three years in the sixth grade.)
Example:
Campfire coffee always tastes better to me than perked coffee or drip
coffee in the house. In order to test this, we had do an experiment. I
identified the variables: amount of
coffee, type of coffee, source of water, amount of water, type of cup and
the same people to test the coffee. The location the coffee is being tasted
might also influence the response, whether in a coffee shop, around a campfire,
or in the kitchen beside a warm wood stove etc. My granddaughter did a
science project to find out, and she won a blue ribbon.