ENS ADC

project

MYP year 5

Objectives B & C
2015

Chemistry culminating
Final due: 29 May

Choose the inquiry statement and questions from ONE of the units well be covering
this quarter (5 OR 6) below and design and conduct an investigation related to the
unit.
UNIT 5: Fertilizers and food
Statement of inquiry: Global food systems are affected by the production of Ammonia and
the balance and movement of reactants in production systems.
Inquiry Questions:

Factual Question: What are fertilizers and how are they produced?
Conceptual Question: How did the development of synthetic fertilizers impact the global
economy and the sustainability of food production?
Debatable Questions: Are synthetic fertilizers the only solution to global sustainable food
production?

OR
UNIT 6: The more it changes, the more it stays the same
Statement of inquiry: Scientific and technological advancements allow societies to transform
energy in an environmentally responsible way.
Inquiry Questions:

Factual Question: What is energy?

Conceptual Question: How can energy be transformed/changed/converted from one form to
another?
Debatable Questions: Do we share the responsibility if our governments energy generation
policies harm the environment?

Your investigation will occur in 4 phases:

Phase 1:
DUE: 26 & 27
April 2015
a) explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
b) do background research on the problem or topic you are investigating
c) formulate a testable hypothesis and explain it using scientific reasoning
Phase 2:
2015

DUE: 3 & 4 May

a) explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how data will be
collected
b) design scientific investigations list all the materials you will use in this
investigation and explain the method you will follow stepwise
(lab opportunities will be arranged by Ms Lize)
Phase 3:
May 2015

DUE: 17 & 18

a) present collected and transformed data (present your data in the form of
appropriate tables and graphs)
b) interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning (what does the
data tell you about the relationship between the variables?)
c) evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of the scientific
investigation (Is your hypothesis proven true or false? Why or why not?

Phase 4:
May 2015

DUE: 27 & 28

Compile the previous 3 phases into 1 report and arrange it on a display board as
follows:

Your project will be exhibited and judged at

the ENS ADC science Expo on
27 May 2015 (Girls school) or 28 May 2015
(Boys school)

Phase 1 & 2 Objective B

Achievemen
t level

Level descriptor

The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the

descriptors below.

1-2

The student is able to:

3-4

i. state a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. outline a testable hypothesis
iii. outline the variables
iv. design a method, with limited success.
The student is able to:
i. outline a problem or question to be tested by a scientific
investigation
ii. formulate a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning
iii. outline how to manipulate the variables, and outline how relevant
data will be collected
iv. design a safe method in which he or she selects materials and
equipment.

5-6

The student is able to:

i. describe a problem or question to be tested by a scientific
investigation
ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using scientific
reasoning
iii. describe how to manipulate the variables, and describe how
sufficient, relevant data will be collected
iv. design a complete and safe method in which he or she selects
appropriate materials and equipment.

7-8

The student is able to:

i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific
investigation
ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using correct
scientific reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how
sufficient, relevant data will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe method in which he or she
selects appropriate materials and equipment.

Percenta
ge

Below
40%
40-54%
55-64%
65-74%

75-82%
83-89%

90-95%
100-96%

Phase 3 Objective C

Achievement
level

Level descriptor

The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the

descriptors below.

1-2

The student is able to:

i. collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
ii. interpret data
iii. state the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a
scientific investigation

3-4

The student is able to:

i. correctly collect and present data in numerical and/or visual
forms
ii. accurately interpret data and explain results
iii. outline the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a
scientific investigation

5-6

The student is able to:

i. correctly collect, organize and present data in numerical and/or
visual forms
ii. accurately interpret data and explain results using scientific
reasoning
iii. discuss the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a
scientific investigation

7-8

The student is able to:

i. correctly collect, organize, transform and present data in
numerical and/ or visual forms
ii. accurately interpret data and explain results using correct
scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a
scientific investigation

Percenta
ge

Below
40%
40-54%

55-64%
65-74%

75-82%
83-89%

90-95%
100-96%

Phase 4: EXPO rubric

Extract from Eskom Expo for young scientists judging rubric, available from:
http://www.exposcience.co.za/images/Doccument_Library/ISF-judging-sheet2014.pdf

FINAL EXAM rubric.

Achievement
level

Level descriptor

The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the

descriptors below.

1-2

The student is able to:

iv. state the validity of the method based on the outcome of a
scientific investigation
v. state improvements or extensions to the method.

3-4

The student is able to:

iv. outline the validity of the method based on the outcome of
a scientific investigation
v. outline improvements or extensions to the method that
would benefit the scientific investigation.

5-6

The student is able to:

iv. discuss the validity of the method based on the outcome of
a scientific investigation
v. describe improvements or extensions to the method that
would benefit the scientific investigation.

7-8

The student is able to:

iv. evaluate the validity of the method based on the outcome
of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions to the method that
would benefit the scientific investigation.

Percenta
ge

Below
40%
40-54%
55-64%
65-74%

75-82%
83-89%

90-95%
100-96%