Learning About a Fair Test!

After conducting our first experiment and getting data all across the board, my students realized something must have gone wrong. We started sharing all the details of our lab to learn that kids were using very different techniques, different forms or measurement, and different starting points. The kids noticed I even gave them different cars which made a big difference because one car was significantly heavier than the other. The kids determined that this must not be an accurate or truthful test.

When conducting a science experiment it is very important to conduct a FAIR TEST! What is a fair test you ask?

A fair test is when a scientist keeps all elements and parts of the experiment except for the one thing they are trying to test for. By keeping everything the same we can determine that all of the outcomes are due to the one change we made.

In order to help us remember this, we remember that COWS MOO SOFTLY! In other words, Change 1 thing, measure and observe the outcome, while the Same for everything else!