UST Middle School Science Challenge
Week 10 — Integrated Science Investigation
Grades 6–8 • Focus: Data analysis, experimental reasoning and mixed science review
Weekly Format
Data analysis, experimental reasoning and mixed science review
Part A — 15 Multiple Choice
Part B — 15 Fill in the Blank
Part C — 15 Scientific Reasoning / Open Response
Part D — 5 Challenge Problems
Answers and How to Solve are separated at the end.
Part A — Multiple Choice
Questions 1–5
1. The best scientific claim is one that is? A) supported by evidence B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
2. A graph is useful because it can? A) show patterns in data B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
3. Correlation alone does not prove? A) causation B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
4. An outlier is? A) a value far from the overall pattern B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
5. A strong investigation changes? A) one main variable at a time B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
Part A — Multiple Choice
Questions 6–10
6. The best scientific claim is one that is? A) supported by evidence B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
7. A graph is useful because it can? A) show patterns in data B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
8. Correlation alone does not prove? A) causation B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
9. An outlier is? A) a value far from the overall pattern B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
10. A strong investigation changes? A) one main variable at a time B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
Part A — Multiple Choice
Questions 11–15
11. The best scientific claim is one that is? A) supported by evidence B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
12. A graph is useful because it can? A) show patterns in data B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
13. Correlation alone does not prove? A) causation B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
14. An outlier is? A) a value far from the overall pattern B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
15. A strong investigation changes? A) one main variable at a time B) an unrelated process C) none of these D) a different scientific idea
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Questions 16–20
16. Complete the statement: Correlation alone does not prove ______.
17. Complete the statement: An outlier is ______.
18. Complete the statement: A strong investigation changes ______.
19. Complete the statement: The best scientific claim is one that is ______.
20. Complete the statement: A graph is useful because it can ______.
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Questions 21–25
21. Complete the statement: Correlation alone does not prove ______.
22. Complete the statement: An outlier is ______.
23. Complete the statement: A strong investigation changes ______.
24. Complete the statement: The best scientific claim is one that is ______.
25. Complete the statement: A graph is useful because it can ______.
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Questions 26–30
26. Complete the statement: Correlation alone does not prove ______.
27. Complete the statement: An outlier is ______.
28. Complete the statement: A strong investigation changes ______.
29. Complete the statement: The best scientific claim is one that is ______.
30. Complete the statement: A graph is useful because it can ______.
Part C — Scientific Reasoning
Questions 31–35
31. A student compares two conditions and records results over five trials. Explain how the idea “show patterns in data” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
32. A class observes a model and explains how its parts work together. Explain how the idea “causation” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
33. Students examine a data table and notice a consistent pattern. Explain how the idea “a value far from the overall pattern” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
34. A team changes one factor and measures the response. Explain how the idea “one main variable at a time” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
35. A scientist compares evidence from two possible explanations. Explain how the idea “supported by evidence” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
Part C — Scientific Reasoning
Questions 36–40
36. A student compares two conditions and records results over five trials. Explain how the idea “show patterns in data” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
37. A class observes a model and explains how its parts work together. Explain how the idea “causation” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
38. Students examine a data table and notice a consistent pattern. Explain how the idea “a value far from the overall pattern” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
39. A team changes one factor and measures the response. Explain how the idea “one main variable at a time” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
40. A scientist compares evidence from two possible explanations. Explain how the idea “supported by evidence” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
Part C — Scientific Reasoning
Questions 41–45
41. A student compares two conditions and records results over five trials. Explain how the idea “show patterns in data” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
42. A class observes a model and explains how its parts work together. Explain how the idea “causation” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
43. Students examine a data table and notice a consistent pattern. Explain how the idea “a value far from the overall pattern” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
44. A team changes one factor and measures the response. Explain how the idea “one main variable at a time” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
45. A scientist compares evidence from two possible explanations. Explain how the idea “supported by evidence” is relevant. Use 2–3 complete sentences.
Part D — Challenge
Questions 46–50
46. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “supported by evidence.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
47. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “show patterns in data.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
48. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “causation.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
49. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “a value far from the overall pattern.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
50. Challenge: Design or describe a short investigation that could demonstrate the concept “one main variable at a time.” Identify what you would observe or measure.
Answer Key — Questions 1–5
Answer + How to Solve
1. Answer: A
How to solve: Scientific claims should match observations and data.
2. Answer: A
How to solve: Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
3. Answer: A
How to solve: Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
4. Answer: A
How to solve: Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
5. Answer: A
How to solve: Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
Answer Key — Questions 6–10
Answer + How to Solve
6. Answer: A
How to solve: Scientific claims should match observations and data.
7. Answer: A
How to solve: Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
8. Answer: A
How to solve: Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
9. Answer: A
How to solve: Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
10. Answer: A
How to solve: Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
Answer Key — Questions 11–15
Answer + How to Solve
11. Answer: A
How to solve: Scientific claims should match observations and data.
12. Answer: A
How to solve: Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
13. Answer: A
How to solve: Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
14. Answer: A
How to solve: Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
15. Answer: A
How to solve: Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
Answer Key — Questions 16–20
Answer + How to Solve
16. Answer: causation
How to solve: Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
17. Answer: a value far from the overall pattern
How to solve: Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
18. Answer: one main variable at a time
How to solve: Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
19. Answer: supported by evidence
How to solve: Scientific claims should match observations and data.
20. Answer: show patterns in data
How to solve: Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
Answer Key — Questions 21–25
Answer + How to Solve
21. Answer: causation
How to solve: Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
22. Answer: a value far from the overall pattern
How to solve: Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
23. Answer: one main variable at a time
How to solve: Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
24. Answer: supported by evidence
How to solve: Scientific claims should match observations and data.
25. Answer: show patterns in data
How to solve: Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
Answer Key — Questions 26–30
Answer + How to Solve
26. Answer: causation
How to solve: Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
27. Answer: a value far from the overall pattern
How to solve: Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
28. Answer: one main variable at a time
How to solve: Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
29. Answer: supported by evidence
How to solve: Scientific claims should match observations and data.
30. Answer: show patterns in data
How to solve: Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
Answer Key — Questions 31–35
Answer + How to Solve
31. Answer: Response should correctly apply: show patterns in data.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
32. Answer: Response should correctly apply: causation.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
33. Answer: Response should correctly apply: a value far from the overall pattern.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
34. Answer: Response should correctly apply: one main variable at a time.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
35. Answer: Response should correctly apply: supported by evidence.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Scientific claims should match observations and data.
Answer Key — Questions 36–40
Answer + How to Solve
36. Answer: Response should correctly apply: show patterns in data.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
37. Answer: Response should correctly apply: causation.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
38. Answer: Response should correctly apply: a value far from the overall pattern.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
39. Answer: Response should correctly apply: one main variable at a time.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
40. Answer: Response should correctly apply: supported by evidence.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Scientific claims should match observations and data.
Answer Key — Questions 41–45
Answer + How to Solve
41. Answer: Response should correctly apply: show patterns in data.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Graphs make trends and relationships easier to see.
42. Answer: Response should correctly apply: causation.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Two variables can change together without one causing the other.
43. Answer: Response should correctly apply: a value far from the overall pattern.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Outliers differ substantially from most observations.
44. Answer: Response should correctly apply: one main variable at a time.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Controlling variables helps isolate cause and effect.
45. Answer: Response should correctly apply: supported by evidence.
How to solve: Define the concept, connect it to the scenario, and cite the observation or measurement that supports the connection. Scientific claims should match observations and data.
Answer Key — Questions 46–50
Answer + How to Solve
46. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate supported by evidence.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
47. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate show patterns in data.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
48. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate causation.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
49. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate a value far from the overall pattern.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.
50. Answer: Answers vary; investigation must correctly demonstrate one main variable at a time.
How to solve: State a testable setup, identify the variable/measurement, predict an observable result, and explain why that result demonstrates the concept.