Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

Types of variables in an experiment:

– Independent variable: One factor that is changed by the scientist.

– Dependent variable: the factor that is being observed or measured by the end of the
experiment as a result of the independent variable.

– Controlled variables: All the factors that are kept the same.

Example of the variables within an experiment:

Does Fertilizer X help plant grow taller?

Independent Variable Dependent Variable Controlled Variables

Type and amount of soil
Type and amount of water
Fertilizer X Change in height of the
amount of sunlight and
plants
temperature
Type and age of plant

The experiment must be fair (fair test) where you make one difference only between the
parts of the experiment (the only difference is the independent variable):

1. Experimental group: Contains the

independent variable–group with fertilizer
X.
2. Controlled group: Does not contain the
independent variable-group without
fertilizer X.

Do the different types of salt affect the growth of a lentil plant?

1. Experimental group: Contains the independent variable–group different types

of salt.
2. Controlled group: Does not contain the independent variable-group without
salt.
Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

Control vs Experimental/Variable Group

Control Group

The control group is the group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or
the change that is being tested. It is kept under normal or standard conditions. The
purpose of the control group is to serve as a comparison to see what happens when the
experimental factor is not applied.

Example:

● Plant Growth Experiment: Imagine you are testing how a special fertilizer affects
plant growth. You have two groups of plants. The control group would be the
group of plants that does not receive the special fertilizer. These plants are given
the same amount of water, light, and soil, but no fertilizer.

Experimental Group

The experimental group is the group in an experiment that receives the treatment or
change that is being tested. This group is exposed to the variable being studied, and its
results are compared to the control group to see if the treatment had any effect.

Example:

● Plant Growth Experiment: In the same plant experiment, the experimental group
would be the group of plants that receives the special fertilizer. Like the control
group, these plants are given the same amount of water, light, and soil, but they
also get the fertilizer.

Summary

Control Group: Does not receive the treatment; used as a baseline to compare results.

Experimental Group: Receives the treatment; tested to see if the treatment has an
effect.
Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

Steps of the Scientific Method

Science is ultimately based on observation (perceiving objects or events using one of the
five senses).

Observations often lead to questions → which lead to experiments to answer the

questions.

The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural
occurrence.

1. Ask a question
2. Form a hypothesis. (if the independent variable …, then the dependent variable
will …)
3. Test your hypothesis (Design an experiment: materials, safety procedure,
variables and procedure)
[procedure: detailed steps to carry out the experiment using command words]
4. Collect and analyze data
5. Draw a conclusion
6. Communicate the results
7. Evaluation/Reflection

Qualitative and Quantitative Data:

Qualitative and quantitative data are two types of data that are used to gather
information and draw conclusions.

Qualitative data is descriptive and involves characteristics that cannot be counted or

measured easily. It deals with qualities or characteristics.

Examples:

1. Colors of Cars in a Parking Lot: If you observe the colors of cars and note that
there are red, blue, black, and white cars, you’re collecting qualitative data.
2. Types of Plants in a Garden: Describing the types of plants, like roses, tulips, and
sunflowers, is qualitative data.
3. Opinions About a New School Lunch Menu: If you survey students about how
they feel about a new lunch menu and they respond with words like “delicious,”
“okay,” or “dislike,” you’re gathering qualitative data.
Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

Quantitative data is numerical and can be measured or counted. It deals with quantities
and numbers.

Examples:

1. Number of Students in a Classroom: Counting how many students are present in

the class, like 25 students, is quantitative data.

2. Height of Plants: Measuring the height of plants in centimeters, like 30 cm, 45 cm,
and 50 cm, is quantitative data.

3. Scores on a Test: Recording the scores students get on a math test, like 85%, 92%,
or 76%, is an example of quantitative data.

Summary

Qualitative Data: Descriptive, non-numerical (e.g., colors, types, opinions).

Quantitative Data: Numerical, measurable (e.g., number, height, scores).

Calculating an Average
Steps to Calculate an Average:

1. Add up all the numbers: Sum all the values in the set.

2. Count the numbers: Determine how many values are in the set.

3. Divide the total by the count: Divide the sum by the number of values to find the
average.

Example 1: Average of Test Scores

Let's say you have the following test scores: 80, 90, 85, and 95.

1. Add the numbers: 80 + 90 + 85 + 95 = 350

2. Count the numbers: There are 4 test scores.

3. Divide the total by the count: 350 ÷ 4 = 87.5

So, the average score is 87.5.

Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

Example 2: Average of Daily Temperatures

Imagine you recorded the temperature over five days: 72°F, 75°F, 70°F, 68°F, and 74°F.

1. Add the numbers: 72 + 75 + 70 + 68 + 74 = 359

2. Count the numbers: There are 5 temperature readings.

3. Divide the total by the count: 359 ÷ 5 = 71.8

So, the average temperature is 71.8°F.

Summary

Step 1: Add all the numbers together.

Step 2: Count how many numbers there are.

Step 3: Divide the sum by the count.

TAILS
TAILS is an acronym that helps students remember the key components of a well-
constructed graph. It's particularly useful when you need to make sure your graph
includes all necessary elements. Here's what TAILS stands for, along with an explanation
and an example suitable for Grade 7 students:

TAILS Components:

1. T - Title: The graph should have a clear and descriptive title that explains what the
graph is about.

2. A - Axes: The x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical) should be labeled with what
they represent, including units of measurement.

✔ Independent Variable: Plotted on the x-axis. This is the variable that you
control or change in the experiment.

✔ Dependent Variable: Plotted on the y-axis. This is the variable that you
measure or observe in response to changes in the independent variable.

3. I - Intervals: The intervals or spacing on the axes should be consistent. This means
the numbers go up by the same amount each time.
Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

4. L - Labels: Each axis should have a label that clearly states what is being measured
or counted. Also, each category or data point should be labeled correctly.

5. S - Scale: The scale refers to how the numbers on the axes are spaced out. The
scale should be chosen so that all your data fits nicely on the graph without
crowding or too much empty space.

Example:

You want to investigate how the amount of water affects the growth of a plant. You
water different plants with varying amounts of water (independent variable) and
measure their growth over a period of time (dependent variable).

Applying TAILS:

1. T (Title): "Effect of Water Amount on Plant Growth"

2. A (Axes):

o X-axis (Independent Variable): Amount of Water (milliliters)

o Y-axis (Dependent Variable): Growth of Plant (centimeters)

3. I (Intervals):

o X-axis: If you tested water amounts of 50 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml, and 200 ml,
you would space these evenly on the x-axis.

o Y-axis: If plant growth ranged from 0 cm to 20 cm, you might choose

intervals of 5 cm on the y-axis.

4. L (Labels):

o Label the x-axis as "Amount of Water (ml)" and the y-axis as "Plant Growth
(cm)."

5. S (Scale):

o Choose a scale for the y-axis that fits your data. For example, if your tallest
plant grew 20 cm, you might set the y-axis from 0 to 20 cm with intervals
of 5 cm.

Example Graph

● Title: "Effect of Water Amount on Plant Growth"

● X-Axis Label (Independent Variable): Amount of Water (ml)

 Grade 7_Science_Scientific Skills_Notes

● Y-Axis Label (Dependent Variable): Growth of Plant (cm)

● Intervals: Even intervals for both water amounts (50, 100, 150, 200 ml) and plant
growth (5, 10, 15, 20 cm)

● Scale: X-axis from 50 ml to 200 ml, Y-axis from 0 cm to 20 cm

Growth of Plant (cm)

Amount of water (ml)