Controlling variables
Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, recognising and controlling variables where necessary
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“A variable can change. A fair comparison changes the feature in the question while keeping other relevant features alike. The independent variable is what you change; the dependent variable is what you observe or measure. Safety: Adult supervises low releases; no throwing, fans, stairs or outdoor wind tests. Stop: End after three releases. Stop for slipping, reaching or drifting toward a person; never stand on furniture.”
Bring to the table
- Two equal paper sheets
- Ruler, paper and pencil
- Adult partner and clear indoor floor space
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Illustrative plan answer: independent variable, paper shape; dependent outcome, landing order; controls, equal starting sheets and release height. If the crumpled sheet is pushed downward, a faster landing cannot be attributed just to shape because the release also changed.
Optional challenge. Propose a different enquiry type for a question that would not suit this fair test.
What to notice. Keep the prior plan and every trial note. Record adult release help and scaffold use.
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 Controlling variables. 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
- Independently plan an investigation identifying the independent, dependent, and controlled variables
- Choose the appropriate type of enquiry for the question (fair test, observation over time, pattern seeking, research)
- Explain why controlling variables is essential for valid results
“Can your child plan their own experiment from scratch — deciding what to test, what to measure, what to keep the same, and how many times to repeat it?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Meta
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Scientific Inquiry
- Age range
- Ages 9–12
Standards