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variables for sugar crystal project
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:17 pm
by kperk4
My son and I are finishing up our seed crystal growth experiment. It is due on 4/30/15. We thought we were in the home stretch, but I have been having trouble trying to figure out what the dependant, independent, and constant variables are, but we are very confused. Also, could you explain the five components of experimental design. I can't find a clear answer when I google it. Last, any suggestions as to how we can display the sugar crystals safely?
Re: variables for sugar crystal project
Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 3:05 pm
by bradleyshanrock-solberg
This answer is a couple weeks late, for which I apologize.
Constant Variable - something that didn't change in the experiment
Dependent Variable - the thing you are trying to measure with your experiment
Independent Variable - the thing you changed in your experiment, to see if the thing you are measuring also changes.
Some links on your second question for how to structure a science fair experiment
I'm not sure what you mean by 5 components - the methodology varies but it is more than 5 in both types
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... thod.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/engineer ... teps.shtml
For your third question - photographs or even better, a video where you show various angles are probably the simplest way. The crystals are pretty fragile and would need a lot of care to transport safely to the science fair display area without damage.