Consider the Following Scenario as You Answer These Questions

Consider the following scenario as you answer these questions.
Nala wants to determine if providing awards for science fair winners increases or decreases participation by average students. She thinks that by promoting science as a competition some children may decide not to participate. To address this question, Nala assigns schools in her district to two types, awarding or non-awarding schools and compares the participation rate of students in her two groups.
-Given Nala's study, what is the independent variable?

A) School location
B) Student achievement
C) School type
D) Participation rate