Nature of Science DPMA

If Henry concludes a scientific investigation and the other scientists conducting the same investigation conclude differently, what should Henry do next?

• Henry should change his results to match the other scientists in a journal.

• Henry should publish his results in a journal.

• The other scientists should forget about their results.

• The other scientists should publish Henry's results.

Leena just finished testing the absorbency of different paper towels. Results in mL of water absorbed are shown below. Leena concluded that paper towel 2 is more absorbent than paper towel 1 because paper towel 2 absorbed more water. Is Leena's conclusion valid based on her data?

• Yes, because paper towel 2 absorbed 40 mL and paper towel 1 absorbed 15 mL.

• Yes, because paper towel 2 absorbed 23 mL and paper towel 1 absorbed 40 mL.

• No, because paper towel 2 absorbed 23 mL and paper towel 1 absorbed 40 mL.

• No, because paper towel 2 absorbed 40 mL and paper towel 1 absorbed 15 mL.

Tags

CCSS.4.NF.A.2

Lisette and her friend are investigating the best place to grow mold on bread. Which of the following would be the fairest test?

• A wide open space outdoors.

• A wide open space indoors.

• A dark pantry.

• A dark pantry.

Kenny notices a lot of insects around his tomato plants before the tomato plants die. Which of these observations would increase the validity of Kenny's hypothesis?

• There were up to 20 insects in the tomato plants before.

• There were up to 20 insects in the tomato plants after.

• There were up to 20 insects in the tomato plants each day before and after.

• There were up to 20 insects in the tomato plants each day before.

A scientist wanted to investigate the effects of acid rain on the growth of a certain type of tree. She set up an experiment where she would water one tree with acid rain and another with regular water over a period of five years. At the end of the five years, the scientist concluded that acid rain does not affect the growth of this type of tree because the tree watered with acid rain did not die. Is this conclusion valid?

• Yes, because the tree watered with acid rain did not die.

• No, because the scientist did not conduct all steps of the scientific method.

• Yes, because the scientist requires all results in order for her results to be valid.

• No, because the scientist used only one tree for each type of water.

Steve was playing a video game during a thunderstorm. The power went out, and he concluded that the power outage was the result of him playing his video game. Is this conclusion valid?

• Yes, because he used observations instead of his senses to make an inference.

• No, because he would need to observe the power outage at multiple times when playing his video game to make a valid inference.

• Yes, because his senses are always correct.

• No, because a single event does not count as evidence.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

What's the most important reason to conduct multiple trials in an experiment?

• Other scientists will respect your results more.

• The more trials you have, the more valid your experiment is.

• Your experiment's results will be more accurate if you have valid data.

• You increase the validity of your experiment if you conduct multiple trials.

Chelsea says that building an airplane out of paper is not practical. Marvin disagrees. Who is correct, and why?

• Chelsea is correct because the structure of a paper airplane is too weak to carry a pilot.

• Chelsea is correct because paper is not durable enough to withstand the forces of flight.

• Marvin is correct because paper airplanes can demonstrate the basic principles of flight.

• Marvin is correct because paper airplanes can be used in an investigation.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.8

CCSS.RI.5.8

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RL.4.5

Which of the following steps of an investigation can be carried out using the materials cup, coffee, and ice?

• Measure and record the temperature of the coffee.

• Measure and record the amount of ice that melts in one hour.

• Make arguments using evidence from data.

• All of these steps can be carried out.

Tommy has a testable question. He wants to find out which type of ramp surface causes a toy car to go the farthest. He decides on three different surfaces to test: sandpaper, wax paper, and a towel. Which investigative question would be good for Tommy to use in his investigation?

• How can I make a ramp?

• What is a ramp?

• Which ramp surface will allow a toy car to travel the farthest?

• How do you make a toy car?