Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need help in deciding what my constant and my control factors will be in my science project. My project is doing my own weather experiments. I got my topic from Science Buddies at https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... p001.shtml. I will be observing and recording the weather each morning and evening at the same time and checking my predictions with the Weather Channel's predictions. I know that my variable will be the changing weather-but if you have a different idea-I would be grateful. I plan to build the weather instruments that Science Buddies suggested to predict my own weather.
Thank You!

Hi JohnsonKids,

Th econtrol is what you are going to compare your predictions against - so that would be Weather Channel predictions. This type of control is called a positive control because you are working under the assumption that the control data is reliably correct.

You also actually mentioned some of your constants - you said that you will do your measurements and predictions at the same time each day, so timing is one of your constants. Another constant would be always using the same instrument.

This idea is a bit tricky but your level of experience could be considered a variable - if you get better at predicting each day. You could make this more constant by having a few days of practise measuring at the beginning of the experiment to try and go from beginner to having experience and that might minimize it. Then when you do the experiment you would already be good at predicting and it might be less of a variable. Does that make sense? If you don't have time to do the practise, you could just remember to consider that your experience might effect the results when you write your discussion.

best of luck,
Caroline