Investigations
Standard |
No Evidence |
Beginning |
Developing |
Proficient |
Excellent |
Mastering |
I-2. Investigations Plan and conduct safe investigations |
No evidence of investigation |
You design and/or conduct an investigation |
You design and/or conduct an investigation that aims to test a prediction |
You apply accurate scientific knowledge to design and/or conduct a controlled, objective, and safe investigation which will produce evidence useful for testing a prediction |
Your work is proficient and your presentation is excellent. |
Your work is excellent and you explain why your investigation plan is reproducible |
A Good Investigation
|
An Excellent Investigation
|
Go Above & Beyondby including an explanation of what makes your investigation reproducible
|
An investigation is an experiment or research effort that aims to gather evidence to test a prediction.
Your plan should include:
- A statement of the prediction you are aiming to test
- A list of materials
- A statement of variables (what will change) and controls (what will stay the same)
- A numbered list safety and of steps in the procedure
- An explanation of what data should be collected and how it will be collected (measured)
- A statement of the number of trials that should be conducted
- An explanation of possible sources of error and how to reduce errors
A good investigation is controlled, objective, and safe.
A controlled experiment tests one variable at a time.
Jenny: "I added vinegar and water to the sodium bicarbonate until the pH went down to 7.0, so I know that adding vinegar to a solution will decrease the pH."
Martha: "But Jenny, what if it's actually the water that decreased the pH? How do we know which variable was responsible for the change in pH?"
Jenny: "I guess I should have manipulated one variable at a time, then we would know which variable was responsible for the change."
Martha: "But Jenny, what if it's actually the water that decreased the pH? How do we know which variable was responsible for the change in pH?"
Jenny: "I guess I should have manipulated one variable at a time, then we would know which variable was responsible for the change."
An objective experiment works towards answering the scientific question.
Tanya: "I threw the ball against the floor and watching if it hit my hand again."
Martha: "But Tanya, the question we're investigating is about the drop height and bounce height of a rubber ball. How can your data help us answer the question if you were throwing it instead of dropping it?"
Tanya: "I guess I should have used an objective procedure so that we could collect data that helped us answer the question."
Martha: "But Tanya, the question we're investigating is about the drop height and bounce height of a rubber ball. How can your data help us answer the question if you were throwing it instead of dropping it?"
Tanya: "I guess I should have used an objective procedure so that we could collect data that helped us answer the question."
An objective experiment collects data using methods that allow others to repeat the investigation.
Tanya: "This time I dropped the ball against the table and wrote down if it was a high, medium, or low bounce."
Martha: "That's much better! But I don't know if I could repeat your experiment and get the same results. What does a 'high' bounce look like?"
Tanya: "I guess I should have use a tool to measure the drop and bounce height. That would allow you to repeat the experiment in the exact same way."
Martha: "That's much better! But I don't know if I could repeat your experiment and get the same results. What does a 'high' bounce look like?"
Tanya: "I guess I should have use a tool to measure the drop and bounce height. That would allow you to repeat the experiment in the exact same way."
A safe experiment keeps you, the space, and the tools safe.
- Keeping Yourself Safe: Use the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) recommended by your teacher
- Keeping the Space Safe: Protect the tables, carpet, and sinks by thinking ahead and cleaning up your messes.
- Keeping the Tools Safe: Learn to use a tool appropriately before including it in your experiment. Be mindful as you use the tools and when you clean it and put it away.