Multiple Choice Items:

1. Which skill is the most important to use when conducting an investigation??

A	spelling
B	writing
C	observing
D	listening

2. Which task should a scientist perform after collecting data?

A	form a hypothesis
B	take measurements
C	make observations
D	record observations

3. Which task is a scientist better able to perform after an investigation?

A	answer questions
B	start fights
C	write books
D	make guesses

4. How does the sun appear to move across the sky?

A	in a circle
B	in a square
C	in a straight line
D	in an arc

1. Which of these safety rules should be used when conducting the investigations in this lesson?

A	wear safety apron
B	wash hands thoroughly
C	never look directly at the sun
D	look at the teacher at all times

2. What tool helped you collect data in your investigations?

A	measuring cup
B	microscope
C	meter stick
D	balance

3. What tool did you use to record your observations?

A	science journal
B	sidewalk chalk
C	chalkboard
D	video

1. What would you do if your results were different from your classmates?

   A	admit you failed
   B	repeat your investigation
   C	tell your friends they are wrong
   D	throw away your paper

2. Which step in the scientific method helps scientists learn from one another?

A	forming a hypothesis
B	making observations
C	communicating of results
D	taking measurements

Multiple Choice Answer Key:

Short-answer Items:

10. Why do you think it is important to make accurate observations?

11. Place the scientific methods steps in order by placing a number next to each step.

____ Record/analyze data.

____ Make a conclusion.

____ Make a hypothesis.

____ Communicate findings to others

____ Conduct the experiment.

____ State the problem.

Short-answer key and Scoring Rubrics:

10. Why do you think it is important to make good and accurate observations?

11. Answer Key

__4__ Record/analyze data.

__5_ Make a conclusion.

__2_ Make a hypothesis.

__6_ Communicate findings to others

__3__Conduct the experiment.

__1__ State the problem.

Performance Assessment

Does Distance Affect Accuracy?

Students will take turns shooting paper clips into a plastic dish on the desk top from a variety of distances. This experiment will provide an opportunity to practice the following experimental skills:

• Hypothesis formation

• Data collection

• Variables and controls identification

• Investigative summarization

• Data organization

Directions:

Group students into groups of four and space them out across the room. Each group will have the following materials:

• large beaker or dish

• 10 paperclips (different sizes)

• meter stick

• copies of the Performance Assessment Lab sheet (S-4-6_ Performance Assessment and KEY.doc ).

Students will take turns shooting 10 paperclips from varying distances (1ft, 3ft, 6ft, and 9ft). Students will all shoot from the closest distance and move away after each round, tallying their results on their lab sheets. Once finished, students will complete their graphs and answer the lab questions.

Performance Assessment Answer Key

1. Student responses will vary. The experiment is set up to see if distance affects the accuracy of shooting paperclips into a “target”. Does it get harder to make a shot the farther away from the basket you get?

2. Student responses will vary. If the distance from the basket increases, then the accuracy of shot-making will decrease.

3. Distance from the beaker or “basket”

4. Accuracy of shots made

5. Student responses will vary. Examples can include the style in which baskets are thrown, the same number of paperclips being used, the same type of “basket”, the height of the table, etc.

6. Student responses will vary. Errors could include different sizes of paperclips being used, height of the students throwing the paperclips, or anything that changes the experiment other than the independent variable (distance from the ‘basket”).