Contributed by: Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT)
There is one example for each score point ranging from 3 down to 0.
Explanations of the scores were written by staff from the Division
of Teaching and Learning at the Connecticut State Department of Education
who conducted training and scoring of field tested events.
A class of students performed a series of experiments to determine
which of several materials would be most effective for insulating
a paper cup.
One group of lab partners tested four different materials: black paper,
white paper, aluminum foil and cloth. The following table shows their
results.
Insulating
Material |
Temperature of Water in
Cups at Start of Experiment |
Temperature After
5 Minutes |
Temperature After
10 Minutes |
| Black Paper |
70oC |
60oC |
52oC |
| White Paper |
50oC |
45oC |
40oC |
| Aluminum Foil |
85oC |
70oC |
60oC |
| Cloth |
60oC |
54oC |
48oC |
Experimentation Question 1 : Event Score = 3
1. This is the group's statement of the problem: "We wanted
to see which of four materials would be good for wrapping around a
cup." Is this a clear statement of the problem? Explain why or why
not.
| Component |
Score |
Commentary |
| Question 1 |
(3) |
The response is correct and complete. It points out that
the group's statement of the problem is not clear and explains
why this is true. It points out the fact that the group failed
to clarify that the materials were being tested for their
insulating abilities. |
Experimentation Question 2 : Event Score = 3
2. The students concluded that the white paper was the most
effective insulator because the cup wrapped in white paper showed
the smallest drop in temperature. Is this group's conclusion valid?
Explain why or why not.
| Component |
Score |
Commentary |
| Question 2 |
(3) |
The response correctly states that the conclusions should
not be considered valid. It contains elaboration including
a discussion of important variables that should have been
controlled in order for a valid conclusion to be drawn. There
are no misconceptions. |
Another group in the class tried to use various materials and combinations
of materials. The following table shows their results.
Insulating
Material |
Temperature of Water in
Cups at Start of Experiment |
Temperature After
5 Minutes |
Temperature After
10 Minutes |
| 4 thicknesses of Black Paper |
80oC |
74oC |
70oC |
| 4 thicknesses of White Paper |
80oC |
75oC |
71oC |
| 4 thicknesses of Aluminum Foil |
80oC |
72oC |
66oC |
| 4 thicknesses of Cloth |
80oC |
73oC |
67oC |
| 1 thickness each of Black Paper, White Paper,
Aluminum Foil and Cloth |
80oC |
78oC |
76oC |
Experimentation Question 3 : Event Score = 3
3. What valid conclusions can you draw from these results?
Explain your answer.
| Component |
Score |
Commentary |
| Question 3 |
(3) |
This response is correct and appropriate. Reasonable conclusions
are drawn based on the results of the group's experiment and
factors affecting the validity of those conclusions are discussed
("If the volume of liquid and wrapping was consistent for
each cup"). |
Experimentation Question 4 : Event Score = 3
4. Do you have enough information to replicate this group's
experiment? If you think you do, tell what information you have. If
you think you do not tell what other information you would need.
| Component |
Score |
Commentary |
| Question 4 |
(3) |
This response is correct and appropriate. Several important
pieces of missing information are discussed such as "the size
of the cups", "amount of the water", "how they were wrapped",
and "Were all the cups covered or uncovered?". There are no
misconceptions. |
Go to Next Student Work
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