1 / 49

ACT Science: Day 1

ACT Science: Day 1. Warm-up: What are the steps of the Scientific Method?. Steps of the Scientific Method. The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments. The steps of the scientific method are to: Ask a Question

dex
Download Presentation

ACT Science: Day 1

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. ACT Science: Day 1 Warm-up: What are the steps of the Scientific Method?

  2. Steps of the Scientific Method • The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments. The steps of the scientific method are to: • Ask a Question • Do Background Research • Construct a Hypothesis • Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment • Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion • Communicate Your Results • Source: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml

  3. ACT Science Overview: Day 1 Test structure 3 passage types Strategy for taking the test Practice Test

  4. ACT Science Overview • General Information: • 35 minutes to answer 40 questions • 4 answer choices • 7 test passages • Covers: Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Physics • No Calculators Allowed (or needed)

  5. ACT Science Overview Data Representation (38%) • Graph reading • Interpretation of scatterplots • Interpretation of information presented in tables, diagrams, and figures.

  6. ACT Science Overview Research Summaries (45%). • Descriptions of one or more related experiments. • Design of experiments and the • Interpretation of experimental results.

  7. ACT Science Overview Conflicting Viewpoints (17%). • Expressions of several hypotheses or views that are inconsistent with one another. • Understanding, analysis, and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses.

  8. ACT Science: Test Strategies • There are no facts to learn for the ACT science section! You are being tested on how science is done, so think like a scientist! • Use the information the test writers have given you, not what you think you already know. • If you are running out of time, quickly fill in any blank questions on the answer sheet-even if you have not read the question.

  9. ACT Science: Test Strategies Timing & Order: 1. Data Representation (5 questions) – do these three passages first! 2. Research Summaries (6 questions) - do theses passages second! 3. Conflicting Viewpoints (7 questions) - Do this one last! Has the most reading & takes the longest: sucks time!!! Identify the passages by the # of questions Open test booklet, scan each passage, check the # of questions & number the passages 1,2,3…start answering in that order

  10. ACT Science: Practice Test

  11. ACT Science: Day 2 Warm-up: What are the parts of a controlled experiment?

  12. Parts of a controlled experiment:

  13. ACT Science Overview: Day 2 Passage Types Overview & Strategies SCIeNCE acronym for reading introductions Practice SCIeNCE (3 examples) Apply SCIeNCE to practice ACT test from day 1.

  14. Passage Types Overview & Strategies Data Representation 1. “Graphing” passages 2. 3 on each ACT; 5 questions each 3. Can be of any scientific content 4. Generally ask you to pick data points off a graph, interpret data trends, analyze info presented in figures or equations 5. Do this section FIRST, quickest to answer! 6. Not a lot to read, factual questions 7. Spend about 3-4 minutes on each DR section

  15. ACT: ScienceSample DR Question  The scientists determined the thermal conductivity of the 4 rock types at a number of different temperatures between 0°C and 400°C. The results are shown in Figure 1 According to the chart, the thermal conductivity of rock salt measured at a temperature of 500°C would be closest to which of the following values? A. 1.0 W/m°C B. 2.0 W/m°C C. 3.5 W/m°C D. 4.0 W/m°C Answer: B

  16. Passage Types Overview & Strategies Research Summaries 1. Describe scientific experiments 2. 3 on each ACT; 6 questions each 3. Do this section SECOND! 5-6 minutes 4. Has graphs and charts like the DR section but they also focus on proper experiment design, drawing conclusions, knowledge of scientific method & parts of a controlled experiment 5. More complex than the DR section 6. Has headings like “Experiment 1, 2, 3”

  17. ACT: ScienceSample RS Question • Clicking on the link above will take you to the ACT.org website • The Research Summary question will appear (sample science question passage 2)

  18. Passage Types Overview & Strategies Conflicting Viewpoints 1. Contain two opposing scientific viewpoints about some theory or process 2. Only ONE on the test; 7 questions 3. Lots of reading, not many graphs 4. Do LAST! 5 to 8 minutes

  19. ACT: ScienceSample CV Question • Clicking on the link above will take you to the ACT.org website • The Conflicting Viewpoints question will appear (sample science question passage 1)

  20. SCIeNCE Strategies S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References C = Choose the best answer E = Eliminate the incorrect answers Use before answering questions to focus on what’s important!

  21. SCIeNCE Strategies Look over the topic Notice what the graphs & charts are presenting Take about 10-15 seconds S = Scan the passage

  22. SCIeNCE Strategies Underline, circle, or mark in some way the Main idea Draw trend arrows for graphs Identify the scientists’ arguments in the CV section Helps to analyze Q’s later S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea

  23. SCIeNCE Strategies Entire data tables and descriptions of experiments may never be used! Don’t get tied up in the extras Focus! S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras

  24. SCIeNCE Strategies S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References C = Choose the best answer E = Eliminate the incorrect answers Use while answering the questions!

  25. SCIeNCE Strategies S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References 1) If the question refers to a specific experiment, chart, graph, etc. LOOK THERE IMMEDIATELY! Don’t waste time rereading other sections! “According to figure 1” “Based on the results of Experiment 3”

  26. SCIeNCE Strategies S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References C = Choose the best answer Use your Main idea notes Read the question stems Do not leave any blank

  27. SCIeNCE Strategies Physically cross out the incorrect options Don’t over analyze your answer choices S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References C = Choose the best answer E = Eliminate the incorrect answers

  28. SCIeNCE Strategies: Application Complete the Practice examples 1-3 (Passage Dissection: Introductions) & Practice examples 1-2 (Passage Dissection: Tables, Graphs, and Figures) S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References C = Choose the best answer E = Eliminate the incorrect answers

  29. ACT Science: Day 3 • Warm-up: • Match the WORD to its DEFINITON • Variables • X axis • Y axis • D. Infer • an element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change The line on a graph that runs vertically (up-down) through zero C. To conclude from evidence The line on a graph that runs horizontally (left-right) through zero

  30. ACT Science Overview: Day 3 Question Types Question Stems Answer Choices Strategies: SCIeNCE Practice Sets

  31. ACT Science: Question Types • Factual • Inference • “Xtreme”!

  32. Question Types: Factual • Based on facts or data presented in the introduction or in the charts, tables, etc. • Generally 2-3 of these in the Data Rep. or Research Sum. Passages and 1 or 2 in a Conflicting VP passage • Can be answered quickly; easiest to answer

  33. Question Types: Inference • Must conclude from evidence; requires critical thinking! • Often asks to compare the results from two experiments or to figure out with which statement a scientist would disagree. • Most questions are inference based…testing your reasoning skills!

  34. Question Types: “Xtreme” • Combination of factual and inference questions. • Pick out conflicting information from different experiments or graphs and then analyze them in new ways. • One or two questions in the Data Rep. & Research Summaries are this type; Two or three in the Conflicting VP.

  35. Question Stems: Wording to Watch

  36. Answer Choices: What to Look for Simple Numbers (almost always presented in ascending or descending order) 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 • Combinations of Numbers • (usually an orderly pattern) • A reading of 0.8 mg/ml at a pH of 3 • A reading of 0.7 mg/ml at a pH of 4 • A reading of 0.6 mg/ml at a pH of 5 • A reading of 0.5 mg/ml at a pH of 6

  37. Answer Choices: What to Look for • Ranges of Numbers • (may be given by themselves or with other pieces of info) • between 75 dB and 80 dB at 150 meters • between 85 dB and 90 dB at 150 meters • between 75 dB and 80 dB at 250 meters • J. between 85 dB and 90 dB at 250 meters Simple Words/Phrases (usually in alphabetical order) Cellular respiration Fermentation Glycolysis Photosynthesis

  38. Answer Choices: What to Look for Longer Phrases (can tell you if the question is factual, inference, or xtreme…many of the choices will be similar; consider all options before choosing one) Scientist 1, because of the greater effects if electromagnetism Scientist 2, because of the greater effect of induced forces Scientist 1, because of the lesser effect of induced forces Scientist 2, because of the lesser effect of electromagnetism

  39. Answer Choices: What to Look for • Graphs or Figures • (must first understand the experiment and often then apply data from a table to answer the question) • Tip: look back at your notes/trend arrows and match up your notes with the answer choices • To view an example, click on the green section above. This will take you to act.org • View Sample Science Questions: Passage 6 • Look at Question #3

  40. SCIeNCE Strategies: Application S = Scan the passage C = Check the main idea Ie = Ignore the Extras N = Note the References C = Choose the best answer E = Eliminate the incorrect answers Complete the Practice Sets 1-2

  41. ACT Science Overview: Day 4 Data Representation Passages & Practice Research Summary Passages & Practice

  42. Data Representation Passages • Contain multiple graphs, often with different scales on both vertical axes • Very “number heavy” • Has a large amount of extra info • Sometimes contain a sentence or two either at the beginning of a passage or sandwiched in the middle of several of the diagrams • Use the SCIeNCE strategy! • 3 of these passages on each test; do first! Recognize them by the 5 questions…

  43. Data Representation Passages Practice Sets: 1. p273 – 278 (Chapter 21) 2. p390 – 393 (warm-up drill)

  44. Research Summaries Passages • Consists of 2 or 3 experiments about the same concept • There are 3 RS passages on each test; should be done 2nd. • Recognize them by the 6 questions that follow each passage • Use the SCIeNCE strategy!

  45. Research Summaries Passages Practice Sets: 1. p279 – 286 (Chapter 22) 2. p398 – 403 (warm-up drill)

  46. ACT Science Overview: Day 5 Conflicting Viewpoints: Passages & Practice Discussion & Review

  47. Conflicting Viewpoints Passages • Often called a “theory” passage • Relies more heavily on unsupported evidence than had data • Tests your reading and science reasoning ability • Time sucker! • There is one CV passage on each test; do last! • Recognize by the 7 questions that follow the passage

  48. Conflicting Viewpoints Passages Practice Sets: 1. p287 – 294 (Chapter 23) 2. p410 – 412 (passage 2)

  49. ACT Science Overview: Day 6 Practice ACT Science Test Scale Score & Discuss

More Related