MYP 4/5 Science (Grade 9/10) Lab Planning Sentence Starters Name:

We use the experimental cycle to help us plan, carry out and write about scientific investigations.

In your notebook, use these sentence starters to begin to plan a lab on ___________________________.
You will later write up your final lab plan for your summative assessment.

(CC) Stephen Taylor (@iBiologyStephen), Canadian Academy, based on MYP Sciences Guide (2014)
Modified by Brian Neises (@theMYPteacher).
MYP 4/5 Science (Grade 9/10) Lab Planning Sentence Starters Name:

Use these sentence starters to plan your lab. Make sure your lab report has all four major sections.

Research Question: Explain the problem or question to be tested I have given a detailed account of a
problem I want to investigate
❏ I want to investigate.... using scientific facts and sources,
❏ This is because I have observed that… and how it is connected to the
OR topic we are studying. I have
❏ I will test the effect of ... on .... stated the problem as a research
❏ This is because I have observed that… question that includes my
variables.

Variables: Explain how to manipulate variables and how to collect data I have given a detailed account of
how to manipulate the
❏ The independent variable is the variable I am changing. independent variable, how to
❏ My independent variable is... measure the dependent variable
❏ I will change the independent variable by to collect sufficient relevant data,
increasing / decreasing from … to … and how to manipulate all the
❏ I will change the independent variable in increments of … controlled variables.
❏ The dependent variable is the variable I will measure.
❏ My dependent variable is...
❏ I will measure the dependent variable by...
❏ I will repeat my measurements ... times to be more reliable.
❏ The controlled variables are variables that I will keep the same to make
my test more reliable. Identify at least 3-5.
❏ I will control … by … because …

Hypothesis: Formulate a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning My hypothesis is testable and I
provide details about my variables
❏ I predict that if I increase / decrease ... then … will …
using words like ‘increase, decrease,
❏ This is because... no change’, and I have supported it
❏ Other sources that supports my hypothesis are.... clearly using correct scientific
❏ My prediction is / is not testable. I know this because …. reasoning in my ‘because’
statement.

Method & Materials: Design a safe, logical and complete method My procedures are safe, complete,
and logical. Someone else would
❏ There are some / no risks in this investigation because... have no problem with my lab
❏ I will stay safe by ... because I describe how to work
❏ I will keep others safe by ... with the variables and collect data.
❏ I need to use these materials and equipment in my investigation... I have selected every material I
❏ I need to carry out these steps in my investigation... will need, including quantities, and I
❏ This is a photo / diagram of my investigation won’t need to ask for anything on
the day of the lab.

Commonly-confused words. Make sure you use them correctly.

Facts
are simple truths that we use
when we describe the universe.
Often we can measure them.
A scientific problem is a
Hypothesis question that we are trying
is a testable prediction that we to solve by making a
make, with a logical reason. hypothesis and testing it
with an experiment.

(CC) Stephen Taylor (@iBiologyStephen), Canadian Academy, based on MYP Sciences Guide (2014)
Modified by Brian Neises (@theMYPteacher).
MYP 4/5 Science (Grade 9/10) Lab Planning Sentence Starters Name:

Criterion B: Inquiring & Designing

i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. formulate a testable hypothesis and explain it using scientific reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how data will be collected
iv. design scientific investigations

Level The student is able to:

1-2 i. state a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. outline a testable hypothesis
iii. outline the variables
iv. design a method, with limited success

3-4 i. outline a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning
iii. outline how to manipulate the variables, and outline how relevant data will be collected
iv. design a safe method in which he or she selects materials and equipment

5-6 i. describe a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning
iii. describe how to manipulate the variables, and describe how sufficient, relevant data will be collected
iv. design a complete and safe method in which he or she selects appropriate materials and equipment

7-8 i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using correct scientific reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how sufficient, relevant data will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe method in which he or she selects appropriate materials and
equipment

Self Reflection Rubric

i. explain a problem or question ii. formulate a testable iii. explain how to manipulate the

B to be tested by a scientific
investigation
hypothesis and explain it using
scientific reasoning
variables, and explain how data iv. design scientific investigations
will be collected

1-2 I have stated a problem as a My hypothesis is testable. I have given brief details on the I have a procedure written
research question that connects variables. down for my lab.
with our topic.

3-4 I have given brief details on how My hypothesis is testable, and I have given brief details on how My procedures are safe.
my problem is connected to the includes my variables. to manipulate the independent I have selected the materials I
topic we are studying. I have variable, how to measure the will need.
stated the problem as a research dependent variable to collect
question. relevant data, and how to
manipulate the controlled
variables.

5-6 I have provided details on a My hypothesis is testable and I I have provided details on how My procedures are safe and
problem I want to investigate, provided details about my to manipulate the independent complete. Someone else could
and how it is connected to the variables using words like variable, how to measure the probably do my lab because I
topic we are studying. I have ‘increase, decrease, no change’, dependent variable to collect describe how to collect data.
stated the problem as a research and I have supported it clearly sufficient relevant data, and how I have selected the materials I
question that includes my using scientific reasoning in my to manipulate all the controlled will need, including quantities.
variables. ‘because’ statement. variables.

7-8 I have given a detailed account My hypothesis is testable and I I have given a detailed account My procedures are safe,
of a problem I want to provide details about my of how to manipulate the complete, and logical. Someone
investigate using scientific facts variables using words like independent variable, how to else would have no problem
and sources, and how it is ‘increase, decrease, no change’, measure the dependent variable with my lab because I describe
connected to the topic we are and I have supported it clearly to collect sufficient relevant how to work with the variables
studying. I have stated the using correct scientific reasoning data, and how to manipulate all and collect data.
problem as a research question in my ‘because’ statement. the controlled variables. I have selected every material I
that includes my variables. will need, including quantities,
and I won’t need to ask for
anything on the day of the lab.
(CC) Stephen Taylor (@iBiologyStephen), Canadian Academy, based on MYP Sciences Guide (2014)
Modified by Brian Neises (@theMYPteacher).