Physical Setting/Earth Science
Performance Test (Part D)
Materials List
 
The New York State Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science consists of two components: a laboratory performance test and a written test.  A new form of the laboratory performance test is currently in the development process and will be administered for the first time in June 2008.  The performance test consists of hands-on tasks set up at four stations. These tasks are designed to measure student achievement of the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology as included in the Physical Setting/Earth Science Core Curriculum.
The four stations of the new performance component of the Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science are shown below along with a materials list for each station. The New York State Education Department will provide the test booklets, rating guides and other printed administration materials.  Schools are responsible for obtaining the performance task materials and assembling them for the  performance test administration.
Students should be familiar with the content, concepts, and process skills assessed on the performance tasks and should have performed similar tasks during the normal course of instruction.  However, practice of any of the individual stations before this performance component is administered is strictly prohibited.

Station 1 . . Mineral and Rock Identification
 MATERIALS (per setup)
c    One hand-sized mineral sample (approximate size: 5 cm ´ 7 cm ´ 10 cm) - Any mineral can be used, both familiar and unfamiliar, as long as the properties to be tested are clear and unmistakable.  Do not use the same type of mineral at more than one station.
c    Three hand-sized rock samples to include one igneous rock, one sedimentary rock, and one metamorphic rock - The rock samples can only be rocks listed on the rock identification charts from the 2001 edition Earth Science Reference Tables and must have unambiguous and unmistakable diagnostic properties.  Use different rock combinations or rocks at each station.
c    Mineral identification kit containing a glass scratch plate, a streak plate, and a hand lens.
Station 2 . . Locating an Epicenter
 MATERIALS (per setup)
c    Safe drawing compass
Station 3 . . Relative Density of Fluids
 MATERIALS (per setup)
c    Electronic balance that measures and displays mass to 0.1 gram - A 200-gram capacity is sufficient for this examination.
Note: Balances that display mass to the 0.01 gram must not be used.
c    Four identical 10 mL glass graduated cylinders (0.1 mL graduations)
c    Four two-inch squares of self sealing film, like Parafilm M®
c    Light-colored corn syrup (approximately 10 mL)
c    Light-colored vegetable oil (approximately 10 mL)
c    Water (approximately 10 mL)
c    Four identical small rubber bands
c    One four-function calculator
c    One hand lens or magnifier
 Station 4 . . Constructing and Analyzing an Asteroid’s Elliptical Orbit
 MATERIALS (per setup)
c    Cotton string (approximately 30 cm)
c    Triple-walled cardboard, foam board or other suitable material (approximately
    25 cm x 30 cm)
c    Two push pins
c    A small container to hold push pins
c    One 30-cm metric ruler
c    One four-function calculator

 ADDITIONAL PREPARATION MATERIALS
c    Fine-point black permanent marker to label samples and glassware
c    White enamel to label rock and mineral samples
c    Page protectors for station directions (approximately 15 per setup)
c    Tape
c    Scissors

9/14/07

Professional Development Timeline for Test Administration
Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science
Performance Test (Part D)