Science District Assessment #1 (2016-2017)

Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is. It quantifies the level of thermal energy present in an object or environment. It is commonly measured using a thermometer and is expressed in units such as Celsius or Fahrenheit. Temperature plays a crucial role in various scientific, industrial, and everyday applications, influencing physical and chemical processes, weather patterns, and human comfort.

A hand lens would be the most useful tool for Sam to see parts of a leaf because it provides magnification and allows for a closer examination of the leaf's structure. A hand lens is a small, handheld magnifying glass that can be used to observe intricate details of the leaf, such as the veins, stomata, and cells. The other options, pan balance, thermometer, and telescope, are not designed for examining the parts of a leaf and would not provide the necessary magnification or clarity.

Scientists study the natural world because their main focus is to understand and explain the phenomena and processes that occur in the physical universe. This includes studying living things, items found on Earth, and even things found in outer space, as they are all part of the natural world. By making observations, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions, scientists strive to uncover the laws and principles that govern the natural world and expand our knowledge about it.

These objects can be grouped as tools because they are all used to shape, build, and produce other things. Metersticks are used for measuring and marking, screwdrivers are used for tightening and loosening screws, and calculators are used for performing mathematical calculations. All of these objects serve a specific purpose and are essential tools in various tasks and industries.

Jacob could use the variable "type of cat food" in his investigation to determine which cat food his cat likes the best. By offering different types of cat food to his cat and observing its preferences, Jacob can gather data to determine which specific type of cat food his cat prefers.

Michael will use the unit of measurement degrees Celsius to record his data because he is measuring the temperature change of the water. Degrees Celsius is the standard unit for measuring temperature.

The scientist has completed the step of observing and questioning. By noticing that the trees on the north side of the forest are dying and observing something unusual growing on the tree trunks, the scientist has made observations and raised questions about why the trees are dying. This is the initial stage of the scientific method where scientists gather information and make observations to identify a problem or phenomenon that needs further investigation.

When building a model of a coral reef, the scientist must include the most important parts. This means that the scientist should focus on including the key components and features that are essential to represent a coral reef accurately. By including the most important parts, the model will be able to effectively demonstrate the characteristics and structure of a coral reef.

A hypothesis is a prediction made based on prior knowledge or observations, which aims to provide a possible explanation for a specific phenomenon or question. It is not a collection of evidence, as evidence is used to support or refute a hypothesis. It is also different from telling others about the results of an experiment, as a hypothesis is formulated before conducting an experiment. Similarly, it is distinct from trying to decide what the results of an experiment mean, as that would be the interpretation of the data obtained, not the initial prediction.

Emily's poster communicates the data because it visually presents information about how the plants grew. It likely includes pictures, diagrams, and possibly written descriptions to convey the growth process and any observations or results. The purpose of the poster is to share this information with others, such as classmates or teachers, to inform and educate them about the plants' growth.

Precipitation type is the weather condition that cannot be measured with an instrument. While wind direction, present temperature, and precipitation amount can all be measured using various instruments such as anemometers, thermometers, and rain gauges, precipitation type requires visual observation. It refers to the form in which precipitation falls, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, and can only be determined by visually observing the weather conditions.

Evidence in scientific studies refers to the data that either supports or rejects a hypothesis. Scientists rely on evidence to draw conclusions and make informed decisions about the natural world. This evidence can come in the form of experimental results, observations, measurements, or any other data that can be used to evaluate the validity of a hypothesis. By analyzing this evidence, scientists can determine whether their hypothesis is supported or rejected, leading to a better understanding of the natural world.

To ensure that each group's results are similar, the teacher should tell students to measure using the same specific tool. This is because using different measuring tools could lead to variations in the measurements, resulting in different results. By using the same tool, the students will have a standardized method of measurement, increasing the likelihood of similar results.