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Grade 10 MYP Sciences Assessment Task Unit: Nicholas - Pinkerton@tamagawa - Ed.jp
Grade 10 MYP Sciences Assessment Task Unit: Nicholas - Pinkerton@tamagawa - Ed.jp
Unit Environmental
Chemistry
The assessment:
the essay needs to be submitted in print and to be presented in the MLA format. Please see
student planner for more details
should contain acknowledgement of any sources used and presented in the MLA format. Please
see student planner for more details
essays should be emailed as a Microsoft word file or an Adobe Acrobat pdf file to
nicholas.pinkerton@tamagawa.ed.jp before the lesson
students who do not submit a task on the due date will have 1 hour in study hall to hand write
and essay.
Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science Maximum: 8
i. explain the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or issue
ii. discuss and evaluate the various implications of using science and its application to solve a specific
problem or issue
0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.
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standard identified by any of the The student does not reach a
outline the describe the discuss the discuss and evaluate
Strand 2
implications of using implications of using implications of using the implications of
science to solve a science and its science and its using science and its
specific problem or application to solve a application to solve a application to solve a
apply scientific sometimes apply usually apply consistently apply
Strand 3
Reflecting on the
impacts of science
Teacher assessment:
Criterion D Level you achieved: Reason:
Reflecting on the
impacts of science
Key question
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Your answer
Key question
Your answer
Task Explanation:
In a Criterion D task it is important to find a problem that science is trying to solve. I have given you 6
topics below to begin your research. Please choose a problem and a solution that relates to one of the
topics. I have provided an example for each topic. You can choose one of these or create your own.
You must be able to research, analyse and evaluate how well the science is applied or interacts with at
least one of the following factors; moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental.
(As the area of interaction for this unit is the environment I request that the environment be strongly
considered a topic to be included in your essay).
As stated on the cover of this assessment task, the minimum number of words is 500. The maximum
number of words is approximately 1,200. This does not include the bibliography.
Present the essay in MLA format. The following link should assist but a general summary is in size 12
font, 1.5 to double-spaced lines and your name on the first page.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Also include a bibliography with at least half the sources in English. Use at least 6 sources for your
information. Formatting instructions for electronic sources are at the following link:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Please pay close attention to the Assessment Criteria and also complete the section that asks for you to
self-assess your work.
GUIDANCE: WRITING A ONE WORLD ESSAY or ARTICLE
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OVERVIEW
Essay Focus
At some point near the start of your essay (in first or second paragraph) you need to outline what your
essay is about and what you are going to write about
Eg.
In this essay the advantages and limitations of (the scientific ideas or processes) with regard to
(social/economic/political/environmental/cultural/ethical) factors will be discussed and evaluated.
OR
In this essay it will be argued that (insert thesis statement here)…………
Introduction:
1st paragraph: outline/briefly describe the problem your application of science is addressing
2nd/paragraph: describe and communicate the scientific ideas or processes which are used to address this
problem
3rd paragraph: explain how well science addresses the problem, benefits and limitation. Eg, How well does
the science solve the problem?
Body: Choose one of these structures to follow
Structure 1 Structure 2
st
First evaluate all the benefits of 1 (and 2nd) First evaluate all the (insert first one world factor)
factor/s benefits and limitations.
st nd
Then evaluate all the limitations of 1 (and 2 ) Then evaluate all the (insert second one world
factor/s. factor) benefits and limitations.
Word Count should be between 700 to 1200 words in length.
Definitions
State is defined as “to give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.”
Describe is defined as “to give a detailed account”
Explain is defined as “to give a clear account including causes and reasons or mechanisms.”
Discuss is defined as “to give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments for and against,
the relative importance of various factors and comparisons of alternative hypotheses.”
Evaluate: is defined as “to assess the implications and limitations”; making an informed judgement or
assessment
For Level 7-8, you should be looking to Explain. Discuss and Evaluate
Conclusion:
Very briefly summarise the main ideas of the essay and the main issue.
End with a recommendation/evaluation based on your argument.
REFERENCING
Reference Government/ UN/Non government organization (NGO’s) reports and newspaper articles and
scientific journal for key statistics, tables, graphs and diagrams,
Remember to refer to all inserts (diagrams/graphs/tables) in your text. Eg. As Figure 1 illustrates the USA
produced the highest volume (insert number) of carbon dioxide emissions in 2006.
Use of Websites
Try to find the references the website uses eg. Every Wikipedia article has a list of references at the bottom.
Check and use the original reference NOT Wikipedia
MLA format:
Author known: Last name, first name. Title of Site. (online). Available URL (date of access).
ECONOMIC is defined as “pertaining to the production, distribution, and use of income, wealth, and
commodities.” The costs and benefits of using science. Who pays or receives the benefit? Is it worth it? How much
will it cost? Are the potential benefits worth the cost? Who pays for it, private companies, the Government,
consumers? (Obesity will cost governments millions but so does changing people’s eating habits and diet- is it worth
attempting to deal with it?)
SOCIAL is defined as “of or pertaining to the life, welfare, and relations of human beings in a community.”
The people affected or involved, from a few people up to the global community. How will this application of science
affect society, will it affect everyone or a select group? Will it unfairly affect one group of society over another? Will
everyone have access to the science/solution or only the privileged (An oil refinery is a local problem but global
warming is truly global)
ETHICAL is defined as “pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right
and wrong in conduct.” Is it right or wrong to use science in this way and if we do, how ought we to do it? (Aborting
foetuses is something we have to do in a caring way even if we think it is right or wrong. Who decides whether it is
right or wrong, the Government, religious groups, individuals? There are ways of doing things and often a law to
guide us - animal testing is highly policed).
POLITICAL is defined as “of, pertaining to, or involving the state or its government.” Is the government
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involved directly or are powerful groups trying to influence people or the government or the UN etc? Notice how
much diet advice is given in books by non-experts. Why would the Government be for or against this the application
of this science and how would it affect other countries?
ENVIRONMENTAL is defined as “of, relating to, or associated with the environment.” Is the issue an
environmental one in some way, directly or indirectly? (Pollution is direct but what about binge-drinking?)
CULTURAL is defined as “of, relating to, or associated with the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a
particular social, ethnic, or age group.” A problem in one place is seen differently in another for reasons such as faith,
tradition and different belief values. Would people from different cultures be affected the same way or have the same
opinion on the scientific solution. Some religions are against certain medical procedures, from organ transplants to
blood donations. Some cultures rely heavilly upon the natural ecosystem to gain their food and shelter, others live in
a manufactured society and are diconnected from the natural world. Certain religions have rules about how males
and females should interact, or what foods to eat.
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