School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Item: Public Release items have appeared on HSA forms and then are released for public viewing and use. Releasing items is one step to ensuring that schools, districts, and other stakeholders understand how the core learning goals are assessed on the HSA.

Goal 1 Skills And Processes

Expectation 1.3 The student will carry out scientific investigations effectively and employ the instruments, systems of measurement, and materials of science appropriately.

Indicator 1.3.2 The student will recognize safe laboratory procedures.

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Students are conducting an experiment to determine if sugars are present in foods. They heat a test tube containing a sugar solution in a beaker of water.

Which of these is an unsafe laboratory practice in this experiment?

  1. heating the sugar solution in a closed test tube
  2. rinsing hands with water after handling the materials
  3. using a test tube clamp to hold the test tube
  4. wearing safety goggles while heating the sugar solution
/share/clg/xml/public_release/science/2004_132_bio18.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Students will conduct a laboratory experiment using the following materials: a Bunsen burner, a beaker of water, glass tubing, four test tubes containing different chemicals, and rubber stoppers. Which of these steps is most critical for students to follow when using these materials in the lab?

  1. wearing eye protection at all times
  2. writing the lab procedure in a notebook
  3. washing hands before starting the experiment
  4. placing a stopper on all test tubes before heating them
/share/clg/xml/public_release/science/2005_132_bio01.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Cheryl wants to perform an investigation that requires using hazardous chemicals. The following steps of the investigation are not in the correct order.

  1. Perform the investigation.
  2. Design the investigation.
  3. Put on gloves, goggles, and an apron.
  4. Dispose of waste materials.

Which of these is the correct sequence of steps to safely complete the investigation?

  1. 1-3-4-2
  2. 3-2-1-4
  3. 4-1-3-2
  4. 2-3-1-4
/share/clg/xml/public_release/science/2006_132_bio02.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2004

Rafael was given an assignment to determine how the appearance of frog blood cells change when they are placed in distilled water. He is using an incorrect setup to perform his investigation. His laboratory setup is shown in the figure below.

Critique Rafael's setup shown in the figure. In your response, be sure to include

  • any unsafe laboratory equipment and procedures shown in the figure
  • a description of the materials and safe setup for the correct investigation
  • an explanation of why it is important to follow the correct procedures in the laboratory
  • any safety precautions you have used during an investigation in biology; provide specific details and the reasons for taking the precautions

Type your answer in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/science/G1_E3_I2_PublicRelease.xml

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Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Which of these should be done before beginning a laboratory investigation?

  1. collect data
  2. review the procedure
  3. draw conclusions
  4. record data on tables
/share/clg/xml/public_release/science/2007_132_bio01.xml

Correct Answer:
B