Earthquake Shake Up Inquiry Rough Draft
Name____________________________________________________ Date ______/______/______ Period _______
Self-Assessment: Benchmark Scores 1 - 6
Forming the question and
Hypothesis
Designing the Investigation
Collecting & Presenting Data
Analyzing and Interpreting
Results
Score ______
Score ______
Score ______
Score ______
FORMING THE QUESTION AND HYPOTHESIS
5/6
4
3
Proposes a question or hypothesis that can
be scientifically investigated and
demonstrates understanding of scientific
relationships.
Proposes a question or hypothesis that can
be scientifically investigated.
Proposes a question or hypothesis that is
incomplete but could be scientifically
investigated.
Provides background, observations and
science principles to establish a detailed
context for this investigation.
The question or hypothesis clearly guides the
design of an effective and/or innovative
investigation.
Provides background, observations and
scientific principles related to the question or
hypothesis.
The question or hypothesis is specific
enough to guide the design of an effective
investigation.
Provides background, observations and/or
scientific principles that partially relate to the
question or hypothesis.
The question or hypothesis lacks the clarity
necessary to guide the design of an effective
investigation.
See Hypothesis Format
See Hypothesis Format
See hypothesis format
**5 for preponderance (most) completed, 6 for all completed.
What do you believe will happen?
 Question and Hypothesis: A testable question and hypothesis that clearly leads to your
investigation.

The hypothesis is written in an “If...then statement, with a cause
(manipulated/independent variable) and effect (responding/dependent variable) sentence.
Question: Does the density and the flexibility of toothpicks affect the ability of the tower to withstand
p, s, and surface seismic waves during a simulated earthquake?
Hypothesis :
1
Why do you think it will happen?
Background is relevant information from your personal experiences, along with
scientific research (i.e. science concepts) that connect to your question and hypothesis.
Define each concept and describe the relationship between each science
concept on the triangle. Use bullets to explain each concept.
2
Concept #1
Concept #2
density
Seismic waves
3
Concept #3
____________
definition
definition
definition
relationship to seismic waves
relationship to _________
relationship to density
This information supports your hypothesis, and should be written in paragraphs in the final copy.
DESIGNING THE INVESTIGATION
5
4
3
Proposes scientifically logical, safe, and
ethical procedures in a precise and
efficient design that maximizes resources
which contribute to the outcome.
Proposes a scientifically logical, safe, and
ethical procedure that can be easily and
accurately followed.
Proposes a partially scientifically logical,
safe, and ethical procedure that includes
some or minor scientific errors.
Identifies the variables and controls
relevant to the procedure.
Partially identifies the variables and
controls relevant to the procedure.
Designs a scientific investigation that
uses appropriate resources/materials and
techniques to collect data relevant to the
question or hypothesis.
Designs a scientific investigation with
insufficient resources/materials and
techniques to collect data relevant to the
question or hypothesis.
Thoroughly identifies relevant variables
(including controls) and defines a
systematic investigative process that is
clearly defined and adaptable if
necessary.
Presents a design that will provide data of
exceptional quality and quantity to
address the question or hypothesis and to
investigate possible relationships.
How will you set up your experiment? Draw what your experiment will look like. Be sure to
label all materials and equipment used.
Include measurements of height, length, width, volume and mass. Be sure to use metric units.
Experiment details
Manipulated/independent
Variable
Control
Number of trials
Hypothesis 1
4
Constants
What kind of data are you going to collect?
Quantitative
(Responding/dependent
variable measurements
with units)
Qualitative
(observations)
Materials: (List with amounts)
How will you do the experiment?
Procedure: (List the steps to conduct the experiment. (Use bullets or numbers). Be sure to use all items
on your materials list, and explain how each will be used.
COLLECTING AND PRESENTING DATA: Collect and graph data.
5/6
4
3
Collects detailed data that are consistent
with the planned investigation design.
Collects data that are consistent with the
planned investigation design.
Collects data that are partially consistent
with the planned investigation design.
Carefully records detailed, relevant and
annotated data in a consistent and
organized manner with the appropriate
level of precision.
Records relevant and accurate data in a
consistent and organized manner.
Records relevant data in an inconsistent
or disorganized manner.
Displays data in a manner that supports
analysis and interpretation.
Displays data in a manner that is
incomplete or disorganized.
Displays data in a manner that highlights
information and patterns and supports
interpretation of relationships.
**5 for preponderance (most) completed, 6 for all completed.
Quantitative Data Tables
After constructing your elevator tower, place it on the shake table. Record your observations and
measurements for the 3 seismic waves for 15 seconds each. Additional load will be added to
your tower: 200g, 500g, and 750g.
Type of
Toothpick
Trial 1
200
Flat
(tables 1,3,5,7)
Rounded
(tables 2,4,6,8)
500
Trial 2
750
200
500
Trial 3
750
200
500
Trial 4
750
200
500
Mean
750
200
500
750
Quantitative Data Tables: Be sure to show your work for standard deviation and label each set of
math problems with the variable, and include units.
Type of Toothpick
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Mean
Flat
(tables 1,3,5,7)
Rounded
(tables 2,4,6,8)
Type of Toothpick
Trial 1
Flat
(tables 1,3,5,7)
Rounded
(tables 2,4,6,8)
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Mean
Qualitative Data Table:
Table
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Observations or damage that
occurred during the P wave
Observations or damage that
occurred during the S wave
200g
200g
500g
750g
500g
750g
Observations or damage that
occurred during the Surface
wave
200g
500g
750g
ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING RESULTS
5
4
3
Analyzes relevant data and forms a
comprehensive explanation (including
patterns and trends) and relates the results of
the investigation to other scientific
information.
Analyzes relevant data and constructs an
evidence-based explanation of the results of
the investigation.
Partially analyzes the data. Constructs an
overly general explanation of the results of
the investigation.
Clearly communicates the conclusions
including possible sources of error and how
these might affect the results.
Communicates conclusions in a general
manner; stated sources of error are irrelevant
or overly formulaic.
Relates results to question or hypothesis.
Suggests relevant revisions or further
investigations based on analysis of results
with justification.
Partially relates results to question or
hypothesis. Suggests relevant revisions to
the investigation, but without justification.
Clearly communicates the conclusions
including sources, magnitude, and significant
sources of error and possible effect on
results.
Relates detailed results to question or
hypothesis. Suggests and outlines further
investigations based on analysis of results
with justification.
Be sure to write this information in paragraphs in the final copy. What did you find out in your
investigation?

Restate the hypotheses. Does the data support or reject your hypothesis?

Using your graphs, identify any observable patterns.

How effective was your design at withstanding an earthquake?
Why did it happen?

Use science concepts from the background information to make inferences that explain why the
hypothesis was supported or rejected.

Show the relationships between your science concepts and explain how they relate to your
investigation:
How could your experiment be improved?

Are there sources of human error or limiting factors? (Sample size? # of trials? Time period of
lab?)

If you did this experiment again what would you change?

What if you had unlimited resources, how could you test your hypothesis?

Is there a follow up experiment that you could do now
Be sure to write this information in paragraphs in the final copy.