The Control Group

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Two identical flower pots sit side by side, and only one thing differs, a sun shines over the first while a cloud hangs over the second. This is a fair test made visible. By keeping everything else the same and changing just one thing, the Squad will actually know what caused any difference between the flowers. It is one of the most useful thinking tools a child can absorb, and it turns up everywhere once you notice it, including in simple kitchen science experiments you can run this week. Color the two pots the same on purpose, so the sun and cloud stay the only difference.

Talk about it while you color

• Which flower do you think will grow taller, the sunny one or the cloudy one?
• Why do you think the Squad kept both pots exactly the same except for the sky?
• What is one thing we could change at home to see what happens?