Science Assessment ~ Items ~ CR019002

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A group of students uses clay to make boats of different shapes. All the boats they make have the same weight. The students add four tablespoons of salt in the water in a tank and mix the water. They place the boats in the tank and see if the boats float or sink.

What can the students find out from doing just this experiment?

If shape affects whether the boats float or sink.
If weight affects whether the boats float or sink.
If weight and the amount of salt in the water affect whether the boats float or sink.
If shape, weight, and the amount of salt in the water affect whether the boats float or sink.

Details
Performance
NGSS

Topic: Control of Variables
Correct Answer: A
Misconceptions

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item CV019002

Students Responding Correctly

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	1446	2564	56%
Grades
6–8	693	1386	50%
9–12	744	1165	64%
Gender
Male	693	1262	55%
Female	739	1280	58%
Primary Language
English	1295	2208	59%
Other	127	317	40%

View data table

Science and Engineering Practices: SEP3 Conduct an investigation and/or evaluate and/or revise the experimental design to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence that meet the goals of the investigation.

Science Assessment

Item CR019002: A controlled experiment involving the floating of clay boats, in which the shape of the boats varies and the weight of the boats stays the same, can tell you if shape affects the floating of the boats.