Unit 1 Studying Science -- 4th Grade

A scientists makes an observation about the natural world. She asks a question about what she observes and researches ways to answer the question. Her research leads her to form a hypothesis. What is a hypothesis?

• a collection of evidence
• a prediction of the correct answer to a questions
• telling others about the results of an experiment
• trying to decide what the results of an experiment mean

Jatara compares how fast a fig plant grows with how fast a spider plant grows. Which of these would be the best way to communicate her data to the rest of class?

• a graph
• a question
• another experiment 
• a drawing of one of the plants

A scientist points out that the trees on the north side of the forest are dying. He sees something unusual growing on the tree trucks. He wonders why the trees are dying. Which part of the scientific method has the scientist completed?

• drawing a conclusion
• forming a hypothesis
• conducting an experiment 
• observing and questioning 

Ramon wants to make a 2-D picture model of his classroom drawn from a view that is looking down from the ceiling. Which of the following would he not be able to include in his model?

• desks in the classroom
• coat closet in the classroom
• distance from the floor to the ceiling
• distance from the door to the opposite wall

A class was discussing whether to make a 2-D or 3-D model of their classroom. They listed a number of advantages and disadvantages of each. They are now debating which model to make. Which of the following is an advantage only for a 3-D model?

• easy to store
• takes less time to make
• requires fewer tools to make the model
• can show the height of object in the room, such as a desk

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

Aba is studying parts of a plant. Which tools would be most useful if Aba wants to see parts of a leaf?

• hand lens
• magnifying box
• microscope
• telescope

Anna wants to compare the amounts of rainfall each month during a 4-month period. She looks at different data that her classmates recorded during that time. Which data table would Anna find most useful?

• Rainfall in cm a month
• Days with more than 1 cm of rain a month
• Number of rainy days a month
• Hours of rainfall a month

Brian conducted an experiment to test the strength of a packing foam material. He finds that the material gets a dent if he puts more than three bricks on it. What can Brian conclude?

• The foam is not very strong
• The brick is too heavy for his test
• The foam will dent if he puts six bricks on it
• The foam will not dent if he puts five blocks of wood on it

Scientists study the natural world. Evidence is an important part of their studies. What is evidence?

• an educated guess

• data that support or reject a hypothesis

• communicating results

• statement about what will happen in an experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Some models have three dimensions. The dimensions are length,width, and height. Which model below has three dimensions?

• drawing of a skeleton
• photograph of a skeleton
• plastic model of a skeleton
• computer model of a skeleton shown on a monitor