-4th Grade- Big Idea 1: Nature of Science

Asking Questions-NOS.1.1-

100

Mrs. Berrian divided her students into groups of six. Their assignment was to begin planning a science experiment.  Which of the following steps would be done first when beginning an experiment?

A. collect data                       B. make a prediction

C. list the materials needed          D. develop a testable question

D. develop a testable question

^{*You have to have a question, because that means you had a wondering about something...otherwise, you wouldn't be coming up with a testable question that you could build an investigation around!*}

^Example:

^{Wondering: "I wonder how people launch pumpkins with catapults at such great distances."}

^{Ask a (testable) Question: "How does increasing the angle of a catapult's lever affect the distance a pumpkin will travel}

200

Your team found the best seats in the cafeteria! 

Bonus 200 Points!

300

Why does a scientist create a data chart during an investigation?

A. To avoid analyzing data

B. To organize and visualize collected data

C. To make the investigation more complex

D. To replace the need for conducting experiments

B. To organize and visualize collected data

400

Maya followed these steps of an investigation:

Hold a rubber ball 20 centimeters above the floor.

Drop the ball and record how high it bounces.

Raise the ball to 40 centimeters above the floor.

Drop the ball again and record how high it bounces.

Raise the ball to 60 centimeters above the floor and repeat the investigation.

Which of the following statements describes what Maya is most likely testing?

A. how the type of ball affects how high the ball bounces                                                                          

B. how the type of floor affects how high the ball bounces                                                                         

C. how the height from which the ball is dropped affects how high the ball bounces                                    

D. how the height from which the ball is dropped affects the color of the ball

C. how the height from which the ball is dropped affects how high the ball bounces 

500

Mario puts some baking soda in a beaker. He adds a few teaspoons of vinegar. Mario notices the baking soda immediately begins to bubble over the top of the beaker. Mario writes the following in his science notebook.

• Bubbles are moving over the top of the beaker.
• A chemical reaction has taken place.

Which two science skills does Mario use?

A. question and prediction

B. prediction and observation

C. observation and inference

D. inference and explanation

C. observation and inference

Making Observations-NOS.1.2-

100

1. A student needs to measure exactly 45 milliliters of water for an investigation. Which tool would be the best choice?

A. balance
B. graduated cylinder
C. thermometer
D. ruler

B. graduated cylinder

200

A student needs a container to hold and mix two liquids during a science investigation. Which tool would be the best choice?

A. graduated cylinder
B. hand lens
C. beaker
D. meter stick

C. beaker

300

Your team observed a new species of shark! 

Bonus 300 points!

400

Students were asked to measure the distance a ball travels when launched from a catapult.  What tool should students use in order to measure the distance the ping pong ball travels.

A. graduated cylinder     B. thermometer

C. ruler or measuring tape      D. beaker or bowl

C. ruler or measuring tape

500

Uh-Oh…Dillon showed up and STOLE 200 points from your team!

Types of Investigations-NOS.1.3, 1.5-

100

Which evidence is not the result of an observation?

A. The ball traveled 120 centimeters.

B. The mass of the object is 17 grams

C. The catapult launch arm is 5 centimeters long. 

D. My catapult is stronger than Bob's catapult.

D. My catapult is stronger than Bob's catapult.

200

Mr. Schwenker's class wants to compare the size of Earth with the size of the moon. Which of the following scientific investigations is the best choice for his class to complete their comparisons?

A. make a model

B. conduct an experiment

C. conduct a field study

D. use the engineering design process

A. make a model

300

Mrs. Berrian's class wants to find out whether plants grow better in sunlight or in shade. Which of the following scientific investigations is the best choice for their class to use?

A. make a model
B. conduct an experiment
C. conduct a field study
D. use the engineering design process

B. conduct an experiment

400

Sandy conducted an experiment. Her classmates repeated the same experiment. Her results were very different from the class. What should she do next?

A. get new toy cars and repeat the experiment

B. repeat the experiment and compare results again

C. get a different type of ruler to use when measuring

D. change their data to match their classmates' data

B. repeat the experiment and compare results again

500

Why is it important for a scientist to record each step of an experiment exactly the way it was done?

A. to become rich               

B. to do a different experiment

C. to completely change it   

D. so another scientist can repeat the experiment

D. so another scientist can repeat the experiment

Collecting & Recording Data-NOS.1.6-

100

Which statement is an inference rather than an observation?

A. The leaf was probably damaged by an insect.
B. The leaf is 8 centimeters long.
C. The leaf has three brown spots.
D. The leaf is green and yellow.

A. The leaf was probably damaged by an insect.

200

Okay, who spilled fruit punch all of the data? Your team had to restart the experiment! The lost data cost your team 200 points. 

300

Oh no! Someone in your team forgot to record their measurements.

Lose 100 Points

400

The best way to organize recorded observations is...

A. Use a table or chart to organize data

B. Only write down the interesting parts

C. Write everything in random order

D. Keep all notes on loose paper

A. Use a table or chart to organize data

500

A student recorded data in a table of rock samples. Which statement represents an inference rather than an observation?

A. The rock is gray in color.

B. The rock has a rough texture.

C. The rock was formed by volcanic activity.

D. The rock weighs 56 grams and has a volume of 24ml.

C. The rock was formed by volcanic activity.

Using Evidence-NOS.1.7-

100

Mr. Schwenker's class conducted an investigation by launching objects from a catapult.  Which of the following could be used as scientific evidence?

A. record the distance the object travels

B. read about catapults in an article

C. ask your friend who has the best catapult

D. build various types of catapults and share them with classmates

A. record the distance the object travels

200

What is evidence?

A. predictions made     

B. questions asked

C. an opinion              

D. data collected

D. data collected

300

Your team used evidence during a field study to prove that sea turtles return to Florida beaches to nest, often near the same areas where they hatched. Your team earned 300 points and were so happy, your team split it with team currently with the least points! 

-Collect 150 Points & Share 150 Points-

400

Why is evidence needed when scientists explain their results?

A. It makes the investigation look exciting.
B. It supports their conclusion with facts
C. It makes the investigation seem more important.
D. It helps scientists prove other scientists wrong.

B. It supports their conclusion with facts

500

Instant Dance Party! All teams who stand up and dance for 5 seconds earn 500 Bonus Points!