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Probing Under the Surface
Task with Student Directions

Contributed by: New York State Alternative Assessment in Science Project (NYSED)


Task: At this station, you will be using a measuring stick to determine the shape of the inside bottom of a box.

Materials:

  • 1 measuring stick
  • 1 mystery box

Directions:

  1. Slide the measuring stick straight down into each spot marked on the box lid.
  2. Measure the distance to the inside bottom of the box from each spot.
  3. Record your measurements on the data table.
  4. Place points on the graph representing the distance to the inside bottom of the box.
  5. Connect the dots to make a line graph.


  6. Spot Number

    Distance to the Bottom of the Box (cm)

    1

     

    3

     

    5

     

    7

     

    9

     


  7. What does the graph indicate about the shape of the inside bottom of the box?







  8. Based on your graph, predict what the depth is to the inside bottom of the box at spot 4.



  9. In the space below, explain the reason for your answer.







  10. In the space below, make a drawing of what you think the inside bottom of the box looks like.


  11. Below is a set of observations made on another box. Which of the drawings could represent the shape of the inside bottom of the box? (Circle the letters of as many choices that could be possible.)


  12. Two students performed a similar activity with the same mystery box that you used. Roberto used a probe that was 4 cm long and Susan used a probe that was 8 cm long. Compare the results that Susan and Roberto would have obtained about the shape of the inside bottom of the box.












 

 


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