3
Lesson 3 of 84 · Engineering and Design
ExperimentForming a Hypothesis
What You'll Learn
A hypothesis is a testable prediction about what will happen in an experiment. A good hypothesis is specific and based on prior knowledge or observations.
Key Words
- variable
- experiment
- data
Materials Needed
- straws
- paper clips
- rubber bands
- string
- cups
- aluminum foil
Safety First
- Do not look directly at the sun or bright lights.
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
- Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
Steps
Step 1 — Read
Read and learn: A hypothesis is a testable prediction about what will happen in an experiment. A good hypothesis is specific and based on prior knowledge or observations.
Step 2 — Do
Build your model using the materials provided.
Step 3 — Observe
Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.
Step 4 — Record
Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is the dependent variable?