Science and Engineering for Second Graders: Explore, Investigate, and Design

Question 1

Why do scientists use controlled variables in experiments?

Accepted Answer

To ensure fair and comparable results

Answer

To keep experiments organized

Answer

To slow down experiments

Answer

To make experiments look more scientific

Question 2

When doing a science experiment, it's important to think about how it might affect the environment. Which of these is something we should think about when doing an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Using things that can be recycled

Answer

Testing the experiment on animals

Answer

Using the most expensive things we can find

Answer

Not cleaning up after the experiment

Question 3

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative observations?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative observations are non-numerical, while quantitative observations are numerical.

Answer

Quantitative observations are subjective, while qualitative observations are objective.

Answer

Qualitative observations are used to make predictions, while quantitative observations are used to test hypotheses.

Answer

Quantitative observations are more important than qualitative observations in science.

Question 4

In science, we make a guess about what will happen in an experiment. This guess is called a hypothesis. What is the main reason we make a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To help us plan the experiment and guess the results.

Answer

To prove the outcome of the experiment.

Answer

To explain why the experiment didn't work.

Answer

To write a summary of the experiment.

Question 5

Why should scientists think about how their experiments might affect the environment?

Accepted Answer

To protect the environment and living things

Answer

To make sure their experiments are accurate

Answer

To avoid getting into trouble

Answer

To make sure their research is published

Question 6

Scientists use a special process called the scientific method to learn about the world around them. What is the correct order of the steps in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, draw a conclusion

Answer

Ask a question, make an observation, test the question, draw a conclusion

Answer

Form a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, make an observation, ask a question, draw a conclusion

Answer

Test the hypothesis, draw a conclusion, make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis

Question 7

In science, why do we do experiments more than once?

Accepted Answer

To make sure our results are accurate.

Answer

To finish quickly.

Answer

To try out different tools.

Answer

To please our teacher.

Question 8

What is a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

An explanation of how something in nature works that is supported by evidence

Answer

A guess that might be true

Answer

A fact that cannot be changed

Answer

A set of steps to follow in an experiment

Question 9

What is the most important thing scientists should do when they share their discoveries with the public?

Accepted Answer

Make sure the public understands their findings.

Answer

Share their discoveries with other scientists.

Answer

Get credit for their work.

Answer

Make money from their discoveries.

Question 10

How does working together help scientists make new discoveries?

Accepted Answer

They can share ideas and knowledge.

Answer

They can save time and effort.

Answer

They can avoid conflicts.

Question 11

I'm studying how different types of light affect plant growth. I think plants that get sunlight will grow taller than plants that don't. Is this a good guess?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's a good guess because you can test it by comparing how plants grow in different types of light.

Answer

No, it's not a good guess because you didn't say exactly how much taller the plants will grow.

Answer

No, it's not a good guess because you can't prove it wrong.

Answer

Yes, it's a good guess because you know that plants need light to grow.

Question 12

In a science experiment, what's the very first thing you should do?

Accepted Answer

Look closely

Answer

Guess what will happen

Answer

Do the experiment

Answer

Write down what you see

Question 13

What is the correct order of the steps in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Ask a question, Hypothesize, Test the hypothesis, Analyze the results, Communicate findings

Answer

Communicate findings, Test the hypothesis, Ask a question, Hypothesize, Analyze the results

Answer

Hypothesize, Ask a question, Test the hypothesis, Analyze the results, Communicate findings

Answer

Ask a question, Analyze the results, Test the hypothesis, Hypothesize, Communicate findings

Question 14

How does working together help scientists discover more about the world?

Accepted Answer

Scientists can learn from each other's mistakes and successes when they share ideas.

Answer

Scientists get more money when they work together.

Answer

Scientists become famous when they work together.

Question 15

When scientists are doing their research, what is the most important thing they should keep in mind?

Accepted Answer

Keeping people and the environment safe

Answer

Making a lot of money

Answer

Making their experiment look good

Answer

Getting their research published

Question 16

A scientist discovers a new medicine that can help people recover from a serious illness. However, there's a small chance the medicine could have a negative side effect. What should the scientist do?

Accepted Answer

Announce the discovery and inform people about the possible side effect.

Answer

Keep the discovery a secret to prevent any harm.

Answer

Announce the discovery immediately, despite the potential side effect.

Answer

Halt the development of the medicine until more is known about the side effect.

Question 17

In a science experiment, the amount of light given to a plant is changed. Which of the following is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Height of the plant

Answer

Amount of light

Answer

Type of plant

Answer

Temperature

Question 18

Scientists have a responsibility to keep people who help with their studies safe. How can scientists do this?

Accepted Answer

Explain the possible risks and benefits of the study before asking people to join.

Answer

Not use people in their studies.

Answer

Pay people for their time.

Question 19

In an experiment to see if water helps a plant grow taller, what will we measure?

Accepted Answer

The height of the plant

Answer

The amount of water given

Answer

The type of plant

Answer

The number of days the experiment lasts

Question 20

When scientists start to investigate something, what do they do first?

Accepted Answer

Ask a question

Answer

Make a guess

Answer

Do a test

Answer

Share their findings

Question 21

How does working together help scientists and engineers learn more about the world?

Accepted Answer

They can share ideas and learn from each other.

Answer

They can race to see who can find the best answer.

Answer

They can work on their own projects without talking to each other.

Question 22

When a scientist makes an educated guess about what will happen in an experiment, what is it called?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis

Answer

A guess

Answer

A theory

Question 23

How do scientists share their new discoveries and ideas with other scientists and the public?

Accepted Answer

By writing reports, giving presentations, and publishing their findings in scientific journals

Answer

By posting their findings on social media

Answer

By keeping their discoveries a secret

Question 24

In science experiments, we can change some things to see how they affect the outcome. What do we call these things that we can change?

Accepted Answer

Variables

Answer

Constants

Answer

Results

Question 25

Which step is NOT part of the scientific process?

Accepted Answer

Search the internet

Answer

Ask a question

Answer

Make observations

Answer

Conduct an experiment

Question 26

Why do we make observations?

Accepted Answer

To gather information

Answer

To prove a guess

Answer

To design a solution

Answer

To conduct an experiment

Question 27

Scientists like to make guesses called hypotheses. Which statement would make a good scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

All plants need water to grow

Answer

My favorite flowers are roses

Answer

All flowers are pink

Answer

Plants only grow in the sun

Question 28

What is the difference between a variable and a constant?

Accepted Answer

A variable changes, while a constant stays the same

Answer

A constant changes, while a variable stays the same

Answer

A variable is a number, while a constant is a letter

Answer

A constant is a number, while a variable is a letter

Question 29

Which experiment will test how sunlight affects plant growth?

Accepted Answer

Grow plants in sunlight and darkness

Answer

Grow plants with and without fertilizer

Answer

Grow plants with and without water

Answer

Grow plants with and without soil

Question 30

Why do we have a control group in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

To compare with the experimental group

Answer

To prove the guess

Answer

To make the experiment more fun

Answer

To make the experiment harder

Question 31

What is the first step in designing something?

Accepted Answer

Define the problem

Answer

Create ideas

Answer

Build it

Answer

Test it

Question 32

Which is NOT a limitation in engineering design?

Accepted Answer

Ideas

Answer

Materials

Answer

Time

Answer

Money

Question 33

When scientists do experiments, they follow a certain set of steps. Which of the following is NOT one of those steps?

Accepted Answer

Write a report

Answer

Ask a question

Answer

Make observations

Answer

Draw conclusions

Question 34

Scientists use their five senses to make observations about the world around them. What is the main purpose of making observations?

Accepted Answer

To collect information

Answer

To ask a question

Answer

To solve a problem

Answer

To create a hypothesis

Question 35

Engineers design things to solve problems. What's the main goal of engineering design?

Accepted Answer

To come up with solutions

Answer

To ask questions

Answer

To make observations

Answer

To test solutions

Question 36

Scientists have certain qualities that help them in their work. Which of the following is NOT a quality of a good scientist?

Accepted Answer

Lazy

Answer

Curious

Answer

Imaginative

Answer

Open to new ideas

Question 37

When you're trying to solve a problem in engineering design, what's the first thing you need to do?

Accepted Answer

Think of lots of ideas

Answer

Start building something

Answer

Test your ideas

Answer

Show your ideas to others

Question 38

Scientists use special tools to help them learn about the world. Which of the following is NOT a scientific tool?

Accepted Answer

Book

Answer

Microscope

Answer

Thermometer

Answer

Computer

Question 39

When scientists make a hypothesis, what are they trying to do?

Accepted Answer

Make a prediction

Answer

Ask a question

Answer

Design an experiment

Answer

Solve a problem

Question 40

Scientists like to do fair tests. What makes a test fair?

Accepted Answer

Changing only one thing at a time

Answer

Changing everything about the test

Answer

Using different brands in the test

Answer

Testing with different amounts of things

Question 41

What is the purpose of making observations?

Accepted Answer

To gather information about the world around you

Answer

To test a hypothesis

Answer

To draw a conclusion

Answer

To design a solution

Question 42

What is a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A guess about the answer to a scientific question

Answer

A proven fact

Answer

A design for a new invention

Answer

A step in the scientific method

Question 43

What is the goal of engineering design?

Accepted Answer

To solve a problem by creating something new or improving something that already exists.

Answer

To build something new

Answer

To test a hypothesis

Answer

To make observations

Question 44

What is a constraint in engineering design?

Accepted Answer

A limitation or restriction that must be considered when designing a solution

Answer

A tool that is used to design a solution

Answer

A material that is used to build a solution

Answer

A person who is involved in the design process

Question 45

Which of these is a question that an engineer might ask?

Accepted Answer

How can we make a water filter that removes impurities?

Answer

Why is the moon covered in craters?

Answer

How do plants use sunlight to make food?

Answer

What is the best way to get to school?

Question 46

You've built a small model of a bridge. How can you use this model to guess how well a bigger version of the bridge will hold up?

Accepted Answer

The model can show how much weight the bigger bridge will hold.

Answer

You can't guess anything about the bridge using models.

Answer

The model can show how the bigger bridge will look.

Question 47

Why is it important to do more than one experiment when testing an idea?

Accepted Answer

To make sure the results are not just a coincidence.

Answer

To make the process go faster.

Answer

To save materials.

Answer

Because it's always necessary.

Question 48

When planning a science experiment, what's the most important thing to keep in mind?

Accepted Answer

Changing only one thing at a time

Answer

Using special tools

Answer

Making the experiment look tidy

Question 49

What is a tool that scientists use to make observations up close?

Accepted Answer

Microscope

Answer

Book

Answer

Telephone

Answer

Computer

Question 50

Which step in the engineering design process comes after asking questions?

Accepted Answer

Making a plan

Answer

Testing solutions

Answer

Making observations

Answer

Drawing conclusions

Question 51

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

Accepted Answer

A theory explains why something happens, while a law describes how something happens.

Answer

A law explains why something happens, while a theory describes how something happens.

Answer

A theory is based on evidence, while a law is based on a hypothesis.

Answer

A law is based on evidence, while a theory is based on a hypothesis.

Question 52

Which of these is a natural resource that can be replaced over time?

Accepted Answer

Wind

Answer

Coal

Answer

Oil

Answer

Natural gas

Question 53

Which of the following things cannot be replaced naturally once used up?

Accepted Answer

Coal

Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Wind

Answer

Water flowing in rivers

Question 54

When designing and building a structure, why is it important to use different materials?

Accepted Answer

To make the structure stronger or weaker depending on its purpose

Answer

To make the structure look more colorful

Answer

To make the structure easier to build

Answer

To make the structure more expensive

Question 55

When doing science experiments, what's the most important thing to remember?

Accepted Answer

Tell the truth about what you find

Answer

Wear a lab coat

Answer

Keep your guess a secret

Question 56

Scientists sometimes use words like 'maybe' or 'it's possible'. Why?

Accepted Answer

Because they don't know everything.

Answer

Because they want to sound smart.

Answer

Because they are afraid of being wrong.

Question 57

How can we make science easy for people who aren't scientists to understand?

Accepted Answer

Use simple words and examples they can picture.

Answer

Use hard words they won't know.

Answer

Talk to them like they're little kids.

Answer

Don't explain it, they won't get it anyway.

Question 58

Which of these is NOT a part of the way scientists find answers to questions?

Accepted Answer

Telling a story

Answer

Asking a question

Answer

Making a guess

Answer

Doing a test

Question 59

What is the reason we make a guess before doing a science test?

Accepted Answer

To help us plan the test

Answer

To know the answer before we start

Answer

To explain what will happen in the test

Answer

To prove what we already think is true

Question 60

Which of these tells us something about the world that we can measure, like its size or temperature?

Accepted Answer

It feels cold.

Answer

It is a pretty color.

Answer

It smells good.

Answer

It makes a loud sound.

Question 61

In a science test, why do we have a group that doesn't get the same things as the others?

Accepted Answer

So we can compare our results to something

Answer

Because we don't have enough supplies

Answer

So we can guess which group will win

Answer

Because some things are special and shouldn't be changed

Question 62

What's the first thing we do when we want to design and make something new?

Accepted Answer

Figure out what it needs to do and what we have to work with

Answer

Draw a picture of it

Answer

Build it and see if it works

Answer

Test it to see if it's good enough

Question 63

What is a sample version of something we want to make that we can use to test our ideas?

Accepted Answer

A prototype

Answer

A sketch

Answer

A blueprint

Answer

A model

Question 64

Which of these is NOT a step in the engineering design process?

Accepted Answer

Ask a question

Answer

Imagine possible solutions

Answer

Plan and design a solution

Answer

Create and test the solution