Soaking up water

Soaking up water

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about setting up an investigation.

Question 1Change answer

paper-towels.png     brown-paper-bag.png     newspaper.png
A class is testing three different types of paper to see which soaks up water best. They are testing:
  • Paper towels
  • Brown paper bags
  • Newspaper  
They dipped each type of paper into a bowl of water with green dye in it to see how far the water and dye went up the paper.
What are two things that need to be kept the same to make sure the test is fair?
1. 2.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
paper-towels.png     brown-paper-bag.png     newspaper.png
Copyright: Openclipart.com (Public domain) | Source: Clker.com

Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Material World
Keywords: 
properties, paper, fair testing
Description of task: 
Students read some information about testing the absorbency of different papers. They outline two features that need to be kept the same if the tests were to be fair.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the meaning of “fair” in science investigations.
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data
Making Better Sense: 
Physical Change
Answers/responses: 
  

Y4 (06/1999)
Any 2 of:

  • The same size pieces of paper.
  • Paper in the water for the same length of time.
  • Dip paper in to same level.
  • Same amount of dye.
  • Same measurement method.
  • Same temperature of water.
  • Any other fair test condition.
2 correct – very difficult

1 correct – difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
Common error
28% of students restated the type of paper.
12% of students stated "the water".