Sample work Science Stage 5: Australian fossil site brochure
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students take the role of scientific officer for the National Parks. They present, in brochure format, information to promote the preservation and protection of one fossil site in Australia as important in providing significant evidence supporting the idea that life on Earth has changed over time.
Students choose an Australian fossil site from the following list: Riversleigh, Ediacaran Hills, Naracoorte, Lightning Ridge, Dinosaur Cove, Lake Acraman, Koonwarra, Somersby and Winton.
Students keep a record of their sources of information, copies of text gathered from each source and a record of the summaries of this information in the production of their brochure. The record of information is used to provide ongoing feedback to students on the application of their research skills during the activity.
Context
Students have been studying the planet as a place of constant change. Sometimes this change is too slow to be seen in a lifetime and, at other times, violent and destructive changes can be witnessed in a short space of time. In the unit students extend their knowledge and understanding of the nature and practice of science by examining scientific evidence that explains changes in the life forms and the Earth and how ideas are rejected or modified as new scientific evidence emerges. Within this context students investigate evidence of crustal movement, volcanic activity and earthquakes to explain how these changes impact on the Earth.
During this unit students expand and apply their research skills. Through a range of activities students will develop and demonstrate their skills of extracting and summarising information from secondary sources. They build on their experiences from Stage 4 to present the information that has been collated and synthesised into a brochure to promote the preservation and protection of an Australian fossil site.
Outcomes
A student:
- 5.9 relates the development of the universe and the dynamic structure of Earth to models, theories and laws and the influence of time
- 5.16 accesses information from a wide variety of secondary sources
- 5.17 explains trends, patterns and relationships in data and/or information from a variety of sources
- 5.18 selects and uses appropriate forms of communication to present information to an audience.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- evaluate the importance of an Australian fossil site in providing evidence that present-day organisms have evolved from organisms in the distant past
- gather, process and present information in the form of a brochure to support an argument for the preservation and protection of an Australian fossil site
- correctly acknowledge sources of information.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Morgan
Morgan has demonstrated a very high level of competence in the evaluation of the importance of the fossil site. A variety of reliable sources have been accessed and appropriately acknowledged to produce an engaging brochure. The focus question sets the scene for the context of the brochure and a concise and informative summary of the relevant points has been provided.
A variety of communication tools have been used and a link has been made between present-day examples and the fossil variety to indicate the importance of preserving the site. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Rania
Rania has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the importance of the fossil site by producing a brochure that communicates information about aspects of the site and provides examples of the fossils found there.
An explanation of the evidence has been used to support the theory of evolution, and information has been used to construct an argument for the preservation and protection of the site, but a stronger link could be made. A variety of reliable sources have been used and correctly acknowledged. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Pat
Pat has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the brochure format, using a combination of headings, text and images to effectively communicate information. A thorough evaluation of the importance of the fossil site in terms of the evolution of organisms in Australia has been provided.
Pat has also made links between the current understanding of plate tectonics and the appearance of the fossil record and has used this as strong evidence for the ongoing preservation of the site, but the sources have not been documented in an approved manner. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Lee
Lee has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the importance of the Australian Fossil Site in understanding evolution and past fauna. Evidence of the fossil remains at 'Riversleigh' has been provided and the importance of preserving, and protecting the site has been clearly communicated.
Graphics and written text have been used to explain why the site has survived and to describe the significant time frame of the fossils, but the expression of some points could be clearer. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Shannon
Shannon has created an engaging brochure that explains the importance of Lightning Ridge in terms of the diversity of the native Australian wildlife, opal mining and significant fossils. The design includes both written text and graphics but would benefit from further work on integrating these elements.
Some of the written text distracts from the core purpose and could be reworked to more effectively demonstrate the significance of the fossil site in understanding evolution. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Bailey
Bailey has demonstrated a sound understanding of the importance of the Australian fossil site. Concrete evidence supporting the significance of Dinosaur Cove has been provided but only one source of information has been used. The creative right-hand column of the brochure shows an attempt to promote the preservation and protection of the site through education of the public.
Bailey has drawn a relevant conclusion from information researched and has selected a suitable way of communicating understanding within the constraints of the brochure format. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Robyn
Robyn has demonstrated a basic understanding of the importance of the Australian fossil site. Some evidence of the impact of Dinosaur Cove on scientific research has been shown and a simple conclusion has been drawn. Appropriate resources have been used and some detail on the heritage of the site has been communicated.
This response outlines rather than discusses or evaluates, and does not reveal understanding of any trend or pattern in evolutionary change. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.
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