1. Research something you like (what do you wonder about?).

2. Choose materials you can afford (and can find!).

3. Once you have found something to research about, list all the characteristics (variables).

4. Pick two characteristics. One will be the one you will change or manipulate (independent variable) and one will be the one that could change or respond to what you do (dependent variable).

5. Turn your two variables into a research question.

6. Think of an hypothesis, or guess or prediction, to your question. Write it down.

7. Design an experiment.

8. Control the conditions: remember to change only one thing (variable) to effect one other variable--everything else should not change.

9. Do it & carefully record your results.