Sample work Science Stage 5: Student research project report
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students present a report for the hands-on individual student research project that they have planned and conducted in class during the term. Your report will include:
- a statement describing the purpose of the investigation
- the question or hypothesis that relates to the purpose that you investigated
- the planned procedure identifying variables to be changed or kept the same, the equipment used and a risk assessment
- a record of your observations and measurements using appropriate tables, graphs and/or diagrams
- a discussion of your results and ways these could have been improved
- a valid conclusion that identifies, based on your results, whether the question or hypothesis is supported or rejected.
Context
Students have, within the unit of work, planned and conducted an individual student research project. In this activity students present the report for their hands-on practical investigation.
Outcomes
A student:
- 5.13 identifies a problem and independently produces an appropriate investigation plan
- 5.18 selects and uses appropriate forms of communication to present information to an audience
- 5.19 uses critical thinking skills in evaluating information and drawing conclusions.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- identify the purpose of the investigation and the question or hypothesis to be tested
- describe a logical procedure for undertaking a simple or controlled experiment
- identify variables to be held constant if reliable first-hand data is to be collected
- select appropriate equipment and assess risks
- present observation and measurements clearly to show trends and relationships
- discuss the results using cause and effect relationships and explain how the procedure and results could have been improved
- state a valid conclusion identifying data which supports or discounts the question or hypothesis.
Graded student work samples
Grade B
Grade C
Grade D
Related resources
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- Sample work Stage 5: Water rockets
- Sample work Stage 5: Australian fossil site brochure
- Sample work Stage 5: Earthquake database
- Sample work Stage 5: Performing a first-hand investigation
- Sample work Stage 5: Planning an individual controlled investigation
- Sample work Stage 5: Solving problems using practical chemistry
- Sample work Stage 5: Student research project