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Examples of Student Work
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.


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