RISE Science Grade 6 case studies
RISE Science Grade 6 · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The RISE Science Grade 6 assessment is a state-level summative science test given to sixth graders, designed to measure how well students understand grade-level science content and can apply science and engineering practices. It is part of the RISE (Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment) assessment system used in Utah. The exam is built for students, not for professional certification, so it is taken during the school year at the student's own school rather than at an independent testing center. Content is organized into three content domains - Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science - plus a Science and Engineering Practices domain that is woven through the content. The RISE Science Grade 6 case studies are 5 cases and about 2,064 words.
1The Shrinking Shadow Problem
A class maps the Sun's apparent path over one school day in late September. a meter stick casts a shadow 142 cm long pointing west-northwest.
445 words, about 2 min2Pond Algae and the Missing Oxygen
A pond near a school is sampled weekly. In early summer it is clear, with dissolved oxygen at 8 mg/L and abundant submerged plants.
425 words, about 2 min3The Melting Ice Debate
Two students each put 50 g of ice at 0 °C into identical cups. Student 1 leaves the cup on the lab bench at 22 °C.
421 words, about 2 min4Testing a Paper Airplane Claim
A student claims that adding paper clips to the nose of a paper airplane makes it fly farther. She folds 10 identical airplanes.
419 words, about 2 min5Reading a Rock Layer Puzzle
Students examine a cliff with four horizontal sedimentary layers, top to bottom: Layer A (sandstone with ripple marks), Layer B (shale with fish fossils), Layer C (limestone with shell fossils), Layer D (conglomerate with rounded pebbles). A vertical crack cuts through all four layers and is filled with a different rock, Layer E.
354 words, about 2 min