This level requires the most complex cognitive (mental) effort. Students synthesize information from multiple sources, often over an extended period of time, or transfer knowledge from one domain to solve problems in another. (Examples: Designing a survey and interpreting the results, analyzing multiple texts to extract themes, or defending the results of an investigation using outside references).

Water that falls as rain or snow and moves below the surface of the Earth between the spaces of soil and rock particles (water soaking into the Earth).

At this level, students must use planning and evidence along with thinking that is more abstract. It can be a task with multiple valid responses where students must justify their choices. (Examples: solving non-routine problems or designing an experiment).

The decomposed (rotting) organic material (living material) found in soil.

A force that occurs when an object pushes on other objects. It is involved in the formation of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

At this level, a student must make some decisions about his or her approach. (Examples: tasks with more than one mental step such as comparing, organizing, summarizing, predicting, and estimating).

A solid element or compound with a unique structure of atoms. These are formed by natural processes and are the building blocks of rocks.

What depth of knowledge is the following question? What year was President Obama elected?

Magma that reaches the Earth's surface during a volcanic eruption or lava flow.

Tasks at this level require recall of facts or rote application of simple procedures. The task does not require any cognitive effort beyond remembering the right response or formula. (Examples: copying, computing, defining, and recognizing)

What depth of knowledge is the following question? How would you improve the amount of heat energy lost through the roof of Grand Rapids Community Mall?

What depth of knowledge is the following question? What data was used to make the conclusion that hot water went to the top of the fish tank and the cold water went to the bottom?

What depth of knowledge is the following question? How would you estimate the amount of candy Ms. Bleeker has in her estimation jar?

The measure of the amount of matter in an object. This remains same no matter what the gravitational pull.

Something you change during a scientific investigation.