Scientific RACES Lesson

RACES Lesson

Read the RACES response below.

​Example 1

In this lab, I tested the effect of temperature on germination of seeds. My hypothesis was that if seeds were kept at different temperatures, then the warmest temperatures would produce more seeds to germinate because warmer temperatures provide the best conditions for cell division and growth. My results do support my hypothesis. None of the seeds kept below 15° C germinated. By day two, 50% of the seeds kept at 20°C germinated and 90% of the seeds kept at 25°C germinated. The results occurred because seeds need warmer temperatures for proper cell function, including division and growth. In summary, I conclude that temperatures above 20°C provide the best conditions for seed germination.

Multiple Choice

What part of the RACES response is: "In this lab, I tested the effect of temperature on germination of seeds. "

• Restate the Question

• State the Hypothesis

• Answer the Question

• Cite the Evidence

Fill in the Blank

What sentence comes after the restatement of the question?

Multiple Choice

What sentence comes after the hypothesis?

• Citing data

• Explaining data

• Was the hypothesis supported?

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

By day two, 50% of the seeds kept at 20°C germinated and 90% of the seeds kept at 25°C germinated.

• Restate

• Cite evidence

• Explain evidence

• Summarize

Multiple Choice

What sentence comes after citing the evidence?

• Summary

• Hypothesis

• Answer the question

• Explaining the evidence

Multiple Choice

What is the last sentence?

• Cite the evidence

• Summarize

• Restate the question

• Answer the question

Read the RACES response below.

​Example 2

In this experiment we tested which type of food was preferred by wild birds. Our hypothesis was that if birds were provided different food sources, then the cracked corn would be preferred because it has the most calories and can provide the most energy. Our results do not support our hypothesis. By the end of the five day study period, 7.2 grams of corn, 8.0 grams of thistle, 6.1 grams of sorghum, 11.6 grams of sunflower seeds had been consumed by the birds. These results may have occurred because corn is not a natural part of the birds’ diets and is not preferred even though it contains the most energy. Based on our study, we conclude that birds prefer more natural food sources like sunflower seeds and thistle over corn and sorghum.

Multiple Choice

If birds were provided different food sources, then the cracked corn

would be preferred because it has the most calories and can provide the most energy. Is an example of ....

• Restate

• Cite

• Summary

• Hypothesis

Multiple Choice

Was the hypothesis supported?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of an explanation?

• By the end of the five day study period, 7.2 grams of

  corn.

• Corn is not a natural part of

  the birds’ diets.

• We tested which type of food was preferred by wild birds.

• We conclude that birds prefer more natural food sources.

Multiple Choice

"In this experiment..." is the signal phrase of...

• Restatement

• Answer

• Cite

• Explanation

• Summary