Question:
Howdoes the bird population in the cafeteria vary during the day?

Hypothesis:
Thebird population at school is the largest right after lunch.

ExperimentalDesign:
Independentvariable:
Timeof day. The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulatesor changes

Dependentvariable:
Numberof birds. The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured.

Confoundingvariables:
Mealsserved, weather, childrenís counting & observation ability. These variableswhich may confuse results if not considered and controlled ñ same samplingarea, same sampling methods, same sample size, same observation methods. If procedures are followed closely, then most of these will be of no concern.

Equipmentneeded:
Binoculars,timers, pencils, record sheets

Procedures:
1)  Children will survey bird population during the day.
2)Children will count birds in the cafeteria area:
a)before school (7:30)
b)after breakfast (8:15)
c)at recess (10:15)
d)before lunch (11:00)
e)after lunch (12:45)
f)afternoon (1:45)
g)after school (between 3:00 and 4:00)
3)Children will graph the different times over 10 days.
4)Children will draw graphs.
5)Children will draw conclusions and share results with class.

Lessonextension: Students will form new hypotheses based on results of this investigationabout how menu, weather and other variables might affect data.

Datageneration:
Samplesize: variable
Numberof samples:  7 times a day for 10 days
Unitof measurement:  # of birds over time