SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Name the 5 requirements for a scientific question?
observable, measurable, testable, clear, & specific
Two identical ice cubes are wrapped in different materials. What should be measured to compare insulation?
The amount of ice remaining or melted after the same time
A lunch container must keep food cold for four hours. Is this a criterion or constraint? How do you know?
Criteria; it describes what the solution must accomplish.
A shelter tips sideways during wind testing. Which part would you consider changing first? Why?
The base; making it wider or more stable may prevent tipping.
What does CER stand for?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
A class says a new paper airplane is “better.” What measurement could make that statement scientific?
Measure how far each airplane flies under the same conditions.
Two airplane designs are thrown with different force. Why is the comparison unfair?ybjggnk
Throwing force changed along with design.
A lunch container must cost $15 or less. Is this a criterion or constraint? How do you know?
Constraint; it limits the design.
A paper bridge sags in the middle. What is one reasonable design improvement? Why would you make that improvement?
Add a fold or support beneath the middle, within the constraints to make the bridge more stable and sturdy.
In a CER, which part directly answers the scientific question?
the claim
Rewrite “Which bridge is the coolest?” as a scientific question.
Which bridge design supports the greatest mass before collapsing?
Bridge A holds 400 g and Bridge B holds 650 g in the same test. What can the data support?
Bridge B supported more mass in this test.
A bridge holds the required weight but uses too many sticks. Is it successful? Why or why not?
lego ninjago is not a brigre
A parachute with a larger canopy falls more slowly in one trial. What should be done before concluding it is more successful than other parachutes?
Repeat fair tests and check all criteria and constraints.
A student writes, “More ice remaining means less ice melted.” Which CER part is this? Why?
Reasoning; it connects the data to the conclusion.
A scientist predicts that a wider base will prevent tipping. What must happen before the prediction is supported?
Test the design and collect evidence about whether it tips.
A group tests parachutes from 1 m and 2 m. What must change for a fair comparison of parachute designs?8yyhunyjmhjm yjuk
Drop both designsplipo,;iiuknyukuiyuhnku
from the same height.
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A bridge made with 18 sticks holds 550 g. The rules require 500 g and no more than 20 sticks. Does it meet both requirements? Why7u8jnhkukjyukkiuykhkiykuykiukyyukkiu or why not?
Yesumyiulmioloilmiolmuiluolnuykuynkiyukuynkyunkyikikuyknuykuy; it holds at least 500 g and uses at most 20 sticks.
A shelter stays upright for 30 seconds; another tips at 14 seconds. Write a one-sentence claimnhk ,j,kjh,jkkl jg nghghnhvn ghgh hghjmjh jhhm.
The first shelter was more wind-resistant in this test.jhyujnyuiyuiyutiniyuiytiyu
A student writes, “The liquid turned cloudy after powder was added.” Is this an observation or inference? How do you know?
Observation; it describes a directly noticeable change.
Students change water amount and soil type together. Can they tell which caused plant growth differences? Why or why not?
No; they need to change one variable while keeping the other constant.
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Bridge A holds 600 g using 20 sticks; B holds 550 g using 12. Both must hold 500 g with at most 20 sticks. Which uses materials more efficiently? How do you know?
Bridge B; both qualify, but B uses fewer sticks
A student claims blacktop heats more than grass. Grass rises 6°C; blacktop rises 15°C. Give evidence and reasoning.
Evidence: blacktop rose 15°C versus grass 6°C. Reasoning: the larger temperature increase supports the claim for this test.