Scientific Content on ACT

Science Content on ACT Biology Cell Biology DNA, RNA, and Ribosomes Natural Selection Chemistry Basic Molecule Structure Freezing/Boiling Point of Water in Celsius  pH Scale Molar Mass Concepts How Charges Interact Phase Changes Physics  Gravity Density Formula Density Rules Math  Basic Math Skills

General Science Tips

ACT Science Test Construction The science section has seven passages with a total of 40 questions to be answered in 35 minutes (Average 52 seconds per question.) The seven passages will be presented in one of the following formats: 3 Data Representation Passages 3 Research Summaries 1 Conflicting Viewpoints

ACT Science Test Construction Data Representation (30-40%) This format includes graphics and tables for student analysis and interpretation. These questions measure a student’s ability to read graphs, interpret scatterplots, and interpret information presented in tables. Research Summaries (45-55%) This format includes descriptions of one or more related experiments. These questions measure the student’s ability to interpret experimental design and associated results. Conflicting Viewpoints (15-20%) This format presents alternative hypotheses expressed in response to incomplete data or differing views. These questions measure the student’s ability to understand, analyze, and compare inconsistent viewpoints or hypotheses.

ACT Science Test Construction For passage topics, ACT pulls content from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and the Earth/Space sciences such as Astronomy, Geology, and Meteorology. Most of the questions can be answered from the information presented in the passages or figures, but be prepared for 3 to 4 questions that require outside scientific knowledge on each section. You need to be able to: look up data and trends make predictions synthesize information

Types of Questions on ACT Science Section Examples of types of questions asked on the ACT Science section What’s being shown? What are the trends? What is unusual? Summarize each experiment. What variable was changed? Make note of any changes to the data in tables, charts, and graphs.

“Integration Lessons” The science ACT questions are based on skills and standards taught from elementary school through high school. Students who have a strong foundation in scientific reasoning abilities, such as analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and problem-solving, and who consistently perform well in each grade level will use the same skills to perform well on the ACT. The more students are exposed to a variety of conflicting viewpoints, data, charts, graphs, and tables, the more prepared they will be for the ACT science section.

“Integration Activity” Continued To help ALL instructors learn how to integrate scientific strategies into their lessons, we are going to have you work in teams to brainstorm quality activities and project ideas for “Non-Science” teachers to implement into their classroom instruction through Integration Lessons. As you provide suggested resources and activities you would like to share, please include your email information on your poster. The ultimate goal for this activity will be for the Data Consultant to collect all of the ideas presented, follow-up with teachers who have specific resources, and create an online ACT Science “Integration Lessons” folder to share with instructors in all subject areas.

“Integration Activity” Around the room are posters with a variety of subject areas. In your teams, you will brainstorm a minimum of one quality activity per category that a teacher in the given subject area could do to incorporate the following skills: Create tables, charts, graphs from collected data Read and interpret data, problem solve an issue Consider conflicting viewpoints and related data Once your team has the ideas, you will write your ideas on your poster. *Include your contact information if you have a specific lesson or resource to share.

Scientific Integration Lesson Ideas

Science Cross-Curricular Integration Ideas Organizing Info-Debates/Speech Give your students a particular topic and have them use Venn Diagrams, T-Charts, or other graphic organizers to compare and contrast the main ideas.  This activity can then be extended if students prepare a written response, deliver a speech, or participate in a classroom debate. 

Science Cross-Curricular Integration Ideas Phys Ed Physics What better way to learn about physics than to get students physically moving?  In this invigorating activity, students can measure the amount of time it takes them to walk, jog, or sprint a particular distance and then calculate their speed and average speed.  Students can alter the variables to determine what affects the speed of their performance, and chart their information in the form of a graph or table.

Activities for the classroom Reading Science Journals and Articles Since the ACT science passages are similar, it'll give you a leg up since you'll already be familiar with reading this type of passage. You'll be more familiar with the scientific method and looking at scientific data. Sciencedaily.com 

“Integration Lesson” Poster Subject: Physical Education Create tables, charts, graphs from collected data Example #1/#2 Read and interpret data, problem solve an issue Example #1/#2 Consider conflicting viewpoints and related data Example #1/#2 Contact Information-Yourname@email.com