Plan Fair Tests
Grade 4 - Science - On Level
Fair-test plan: for the problem "a seed package must keep seeds dry," which test would compare solutions clearly?
- add washers one at a time until the bridge bends
- run a fan for one minute and measure sand moved
- spray each package five times and check the seeds
- ask a partner to read the flash cards without hints
Which variable should stay the same while testing designs for "a paper bridge must hold 20 washers"?
- uses only two sheets of paper and tape
- the conclusion after testing
- fold the paper into beams before taping it
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
Evidence: wax paper kept seeds dry while plain paper became damp. Which improvement follows from the data?
- add longer pauses between messages
- seal the envelope edges with tape
- tilt the fabric to block afternoon Sun too
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
Why should engineers repeat a test for "a paper bridge must hold 20 washers"?
- repeated trials make the evidence more reliable
- repeating removes the need for measurements
- data should be ignored after one test
- repeating proves the first idea was perfect
Which data table heading best fits a fair test for "a wind barrier must stop soil from blowing away"?
- unrelated source, spelling score
- title only
- favorite design, color, opinion
- solution tested, measurement, result
Fair-test plan: for the problem "a wind barrier must stop soil from blowing away," which test would compare solutions clearly?
- add washers one at a time until the bridge bends
- pour the same amount of water on each roof model
- spray each package five times and check the seeds
- run a fan for one minute and measure sand moved
Which variable should stay the same while testing designs for "a model roof must drain rainwater away from a doorway"?
- the winning design only
- uses one plastic sheet and four straws
- the conclusion after testing
- make the side channel deeper
Evidence: partners read three patterns correctly when pauses were clear. Which improvement follows from the data?
- make the side channel deeper
- keep the folded beams and strengthen the center span
- reduce gaps between the sticks
- add longer pauses between messages
Why should engineers repeat a test for "a seed package must keep seeds dry"?
- repeating removes the need for measurements
- each trial should use a different criterion
- repeating proves the first idea was perfect
- repeated trials make the evidence more reliable
Which data table heading best fits a fair test for "a paper bridge must hold 20 washers"?
- solution tested, measurement, result
- unrelated source, spelling score
- title only
- weather, lunch choice, recess game