Science Assessment Map – Sample at Level 4
Samples are available for the following tasks:
Buoyancy
Students were asked to observe and investigate what happens to sultanas in a bicarbonate soda/vinegar mixture. They were required to describe the motion of sultanas in water in terms of the forces present.
The element of the Science knowledge and understanding standard addressed by the task is:
(Students) qualitatively describe changes in motion in terms of the forces present.
The element of the Science at work standard addressed by the task is:
(Students) use diagrams and symbols … when reporting on their investigations.
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Science knowledge and understanding – Level 4
A. Describes action of bubbles on sultanas in terms of forces acting on them.
B. Notes both forces involved in the process, for example, gravity and water pressure.
Element of the standard
(Students) qualitatively describe changes in motion in terms of the forces present.
Science at work – Level 4
C. Produces diagrams which show the bubble formations, movement of the sultanas during the activity and represent the forces present with arrows – the forces are correctly identified. Arrows showing the process have annotations.
Element of the standard
(Students) use diagrams and symbols … when reporting on their investigations.
Students were asked to design, conduct and report on an investigation into how some living things, including people, use flotation mechanisms. They experienced a range of introductory activities which reinforced the concepts of buoyancy before embarking on their research project.
The element of the Science knowledge and understanding standard addressed by the task is:
(Students) ... describe the relevance of science to their own and other people’s lives.
Sample
The following sample illustrates the kinds of responses that students produce when they have achieved the elements of the standard addressed by this task.
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Annotation
Science knowledge and understanding – Level 4
A. Presents how structure of the submarine’s hull helps it to work.
B. Provides a diagram of the hull and indicates that when water is let into the ballast tank the submarine becomes denser and sinks.
C. D. E. Outlines the process for diving and surfacing through the use of valves and compressed air.
F. Provides a bibliography.
Element of the standard
(Students) describe the relevance of science to their own and other people’s lives.
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