ASSESSMENT OUTLINE · ASSESSMENT OUTLINE 1. WHAT AREAS OF LEARNING DOES THIS ASSESSMENT ADDRESS? This investigation will allow you the opportunity to work scientifically – by completing

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Year 8 Science

Plants-Experimental Design Project

Due Date: Friday 27/03/20

Date Distributed: Monday 03/02/20 Task Weighting: 20%

Outcomes

SC4-2VA shows a willingness to engage in finding solutions to science-related personal, social and global issues, including

shaping sustainable futures

SC4-4WS identifies questions and problems that can be tested or researched and makes predictions based on scientific

knowledge

SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems

SC4-6WS follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and

individually

SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns

and relationships, and draw conclusions

SC4-8WS selects and uses appropriate strategies, understanding and skills to produce creative and plausible solutions to

identified problems

SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text

types and representations

ASSESSMENT OUTLINE

1. WHAT AREAS OF LEARNING DOES THIS ASSESSMENT ADDRESS?

This investigation will allow you the opportunity to work scientifically – by completing a task that

involves preparation, planning, investigating, collecting and analysing your results as well as some

research on your topic.

2. WHY IS THE COMPLETION OF THIS ASSESSMENT IMPORTANT?

This task helps students to understand the necessity for a carefully designed experimental method

when scientists attempt to find an answer to a posed question. It reinforces the concepts of variable

and controls which are critical scientific skills. This task is a compulsory component of the NSW

science syllabus. Failure to submit a serious attempt by the required time could result in penalties as

per the school’s assessment policy.

3. WHAT STEPS DO I TAKE TO COMPLETE THIS TASK?

Task Outline

SCIENCE STARTS WITH ASKING QUESTIONS?

Whenever someone asks a question like; ‘How can this be done?’ ‘Why does this happen?’, “How does this work”, “What would happen if…?” science is happening. Science also involves finding the answers to these questions – or at least attempting to find the answers. Science therefore involves asking questions, collecting information designing

and doing experiments, making observations, collecting results, analysing

data and making conclusions.

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GETTING STARTED & GETTING AN IDEA. This step can be the hardest!

You will be investigating a single variable that affects plant growth. Think of something that interests

you or something that you want to find out more about.

Choose one of the ideas below or something else that could affect the growth of a plant.

Does fertiliser increase the growth of a plant.

Is waste water from a bath or washing machine as effective as tap water for plant growth.

Will plants grow better under sunlight or artificial light.

Do plants grow better when grown further apart.

What is the best amount of water to use for good plant growth?

Does temperature effect the growth of plants?

Does ……?…… effect a plants growth?

Do plants grow better with ……?……

PLANNING MY INVESTIGATION

Your plan will need to have:

Your topic – a few sentences about what you are investigating

The aim of your investigation – what you are trying to find out

Your investigation plan – this is the experiment you wish to carry out, how it will be done and how you intend to use the results.

Complete your proposal (this is the plan for your experiment). Show your proposal to your teacher for approval before Friday Week 3.

What is the due date for your completed assignment? ……………………..…………

What are you investigating? What question are you asking?

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What variable are you going to change? (Independent)

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What variable are you going observe/measure change? (Dependent)

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You will need to keep all other factors the same.

How are you going to test this question in your experiment (method)?

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What is your control? (A standard to compare the results against.)

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What equipment will you need to perform your experiment?

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What do you think will happen? (your hypothesis)

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Checked ………………………………….………… Date ……………………...……….

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DESIGNING MY EXPERIMENT

Now that you have the plan for your research project, and your proposal has your teachers’ approval

the hard work is over, it is now time to start experimental write-up.

Remember an experiment needs to have the following components:

Title

Aim – The purpose of your experiment: why you did it.

Hypothesis – What you think or expect to happen.

Materials – A list of ingredients and equipment needed for the experiment.

Method – Simple step-by-step instructions of how to perform the experiment.

Title : ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Aim :

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Hypothesis:

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Equipment:

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Method:

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Now you can progress to the next stage – actually doing the investigation.

PERFORMING MY INVESTIGATION

You have planned your investigation and have done the hard work

now comes the fun part, putting your plan into practice and performing

your investigation.

Start your experiment with enough time and stick to your plan and

method, if you have thought it out and had it approved this will be the

easiest part.

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Record your results in this logbook.

Day Control Plants

……………………………

Plants to Test Variable

(Condition 1)

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(Condition 2 (if needed))

……………………………

Example

Day 1

Measured Variable

1……………….…………

2………………………….

3………………………….

4…………………….……

5…………………….……

General Observations

Measured Variable

1……………….…………

2………………………….

3………………………….

4…………………….……

5…………………….……


Measured Variable

1……………….…………

2………………………….

3………………………….

4…………………….……

5…………………….……


Day

……..

Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Day

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Control Plants

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(Condition 1)

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Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

Observations &

Measurements

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REPORTING MY RESULTS

Now your investigation has been completed, use your results to write your experiment formally. All you will need is your planning and data in this logbook

Your report should be a word-processed A4 document that is printed

Your investigation is to be formally written up using the standard scientific format.

Aim – a statement of what you intend to find out in your investigation

Hypothesis – An educated guess about what you expect to find out

Materials – A list of any equipment that you will need for your experiment

Method – A detailed step by step description of how your experiment will be carried out.

Results – Important observations and measurements taken during the experiment. Data should be summarised and displayed in tables and graphs (graphs can be hand drawn or using excel)

Conclusion – This is a brief statement (one sentence) of what you discovered during your experiment, it should relate to your aim.

Discussion – This is where you discuss the weaknesses and difficulties of your experiment and improvements you would make

Details for Submission

Your final report should be word processed, approximately 2 to 4 pages (including tables, graphs

and diagrams). Print it out and submit it, along with your logbook, to your teacher. Alternatively,

you may submit it electronically via email as directed by class teacher.

My teacher’s email address is…………………………………………………………………..

4. HOW WILL MARKS BE AWARDED TO MEASURE MY LEARNING?

The assignment will be graded according to the marking rubrics attached to the end of this guide. The

marking criteria makes it clear what level of response is required to earn full marks in any aspect of

the experiment and report. The final element of assessment includes a literacy component which will

be assessed primarily from the discussion and conclusion parts of your report. You should refer to

these rubrics when reviewing your final draft prior to submitting it.

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Outcome How Assessed

Experiencing

Difficulty

Developing Satisfactory Outstanding

Mark

SC4-4WS

SC4-5WS

SC4-6WS

clarifies the

purpose of an

investigation and,

with guidance,

produces a plan to

investigate a

problem.

Planning of

experiment

Experienced difficulty in

developing the plan,

much help needed

Able to develop the plan

with assistance

Develops a plan with

minimal assistance

Develops a plan that

identifies all steps

needed to complete the

task independently

1 2 3 4

Proposal submitted on

time

1

Method procedure hard to

follow, instructions

incomplete and not in

order

procedure not clear, some

instructions or details

missing

clear procedure but

some instructions or

details missing

a clear, concise

procedure

1 2 3 4

Control used Identifies an

inappropriate control

Uses a suitable control

1 2

Variables

controlled

Some variables

identified and controlled

Most variables

identified and

controlled

All variables identified

and controlled

1 2 3

Submits the

logbook and raw

data

No log book with raw

data handed in with

assignment report

Log book submitted with

report

0 1

SC4-7WS

uses given criteria

to gather first-

hand data.

Recording rough

copy or raw data in

log book

Inaccurate

measurements and

observations

Some errors in

measurements

and more careful

observations needed

Most measurements

and observations

performed well

All measurements and

observations performed

very well

1 2 3 4

Results displayed

using tables

No table used

inappropriate or unclear

table

a suitable result table

with missing

measurements or

observations

a suitable result table

0 1 2 3

Results displayed

using a graph

No graph inappropriate or unclear

graph

A suitable result graph

with missing data points

or labels

A suitable graph

0 1 2 3

SC4-2VA

SC4-8WS

draws conclusions

based on

information

available.

Conclusion Has drawn invalid

conclusions

Analysis leading to

acceptable conclusions

Analysis of results has

led to valid conclusions

1 2 3

Discussion -

Weaknesses

Identifies one

weakness/difficulty

Identifies more than

one weakness/difficulty

Describes the

weakness/difficulty

1 2 3

Discussion -

Improvements

Identifies one

improvement

Description of one

improvement

1 2

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SC4-9WS with guidance, presents information to an audience to achieve an outcome.

LITERACY

MARKING CRITERIA

Descriptors

0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1

Vocabulary

Uses technical vocabulary to explain concepts and/or range of precise and appropriate words for effect

- Symbols or drawings - Only simple and nontechnical words are used.

- Some precise and technical words are used.

- Sustained use of precise and technical words.

-Sustained, consistent and fluent use of precise and technical words.

Punctuation

Use of correct and appropriate punctuation for effect and to aid in reading of the text

- No or minimal evidence of correct sentence punctuation (less than 25%)

- Limited evidence of correct sentence punctuation (at least 25%)

- Some correct sentence level punctuation (at least 50%).

- Mostly correct sentence level punctuation (80%) and at least two examples of other punctuation.

-Writing contains accurate use of all applicable punctuation.

Sentences

Intentionally constructs a variety of sentences to match purpose and audience

- No evidence of sentences

- Drawings, symbols, a list of words OR text fragments

- At least one sentence is used correctly.

- Some correct formation of sentences. (at least 50%)

- Most sentences (80%) are correct but are largely unsophisticated.

- All sentences are correct including sophisticated sentences.

Paragraphs

Paragraphs are used to effectively structure information and partition events and ideas

- No correct use of paragraphing

- may be a block of text or random breaks

- Ideas are separated, provides at least ONE correct break between ideas

- Paragraphs may contain some unrelated ideas

- At least ONE paragraph is well structured and develops an idea

- All paragraphs are focused on one idea or a set of like ideas but may not be linked effectively.

- Paragraphing creates flow, connectivity and supports argument.

Text Structure

Uses features of the appropriate text type

- No evidence of structural components of the appropriate text type

- Minimal evidence of the structural components of the appropriate text type.

- Some evidence of the structural components of the appropriate text type.

- Substantial evidence of the structural components of the appropriate text type.

- Coherent and controlled use of the appropriate structural components of the text type.

*marks will be deducted for late assignments – 10% per day Total - / 38

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CHECKLIST

Getting started:

1. I have decided on a question from the list to investigate

2. I have a title for my investigation

3. I have decided on an aim for my investigation

Planning my investigation:

4. My logbook contains all my planning notes and ideas

5. I have researched aspects of my investigation taken notes in my logbook

6. I have determined how I can test my aim

7. I have a list of materials and references I have used

8. I have determined which variable I will change

9. I have included a control in my experimental plan

10. I know how I will record the changes/results in my experiment

11. I have set myself a time line to complete my investigation by the due date

12. I have shown my workbook and proposal form to my teacher for approval

Designing my investigation:

13. I have an aim and a hypothesis that reflects my aim

14. I know what equipment I will need to use

15. I have developed a logical step by step method that tests my hypothesis

Performing my investigation:

16. I have started my experiment according to my time line

17. I regularly record results and details (method, improvements) in my logbook

18. I have performed my experiment recording all required information

19. I have all required information in my logbook

Reporting my results:

20. I have written up my investigation as an experimental record including an aim, hypothesis, materials, method, results and conclusion

21. I have made sure my log book is handed in along with my final report

22. I have handed in my assignment by the due date

Documents

ASSESSMENT OUTLINE · ASSESSMENT OUTLINE 1. WHAT AREAS OF LEARNING DOES THIS ASSESSMENT ADDRESS? This investigation will allow you the opportunity to work scientifically – by completing