Fair testing (age 9+)
Use test results to make predictions and set up further comparative and fair tests to investigate new questions
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Link a follow-up prediction to earlier evidence, then keep the new comparison fair. If the first results are unclear, check the method rather than pretend you found a pattern. Safety: Adult low releases only; no throwing, climbing, fans or stairs. Stop: End after six paired releases. Never increase height, add weights or repeat just to force agreement.”
Bring to the table
- Three equal paper sheets, ruler, paper and pencil
- Adult partner and clear floor space
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Illustrative first results: once-folded lands first in all three trials. Prediction: twice-folded may land before once-folded because the first fold changed the landing order. Illustrative follow-up: twice-folded first twice, one tie. Answer: the prediction has some support, not three clear confirmations.
Optional challenge. Identify one different follow-up question that the present results cannot answer.
What to notice. Keep both tables and the intervening prediction. Note adult releases and any method-check branch.
Share and support
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
US EPA · Practice link — not the full lesson
Students
Before you open · source notes
Students supports Fair testing (age 9+). An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public US EPA page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
US EPA. “Students.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Use results from an investigation to make a specific, testable prediction
- Design a follow-up test to verify the prediction
- Explain the reasoning linking the original results to the new prediction
“After getting results from one experiment, can your child use the pattern to predict what would happen in a new situation and then design a follow-up test to check?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Meta
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Scientific Inquiry
- Age range
- Ages 9–12
Standards