Science - Assessment

Assessment is continuous and is both summative and formative. Students are expected to complete all work and take responsibility for being organised. They will be issued with a Student Unit Planner near the beginning of a new unit. The unit planner outlines the general area of study as well as the due dates for all assessment tasks and the criteria to be assessed.

The six assessment criteria are used to assess student work. All criteria are covered a number of times based on a variety of types of activities throughout units. Profiles on each student are kept which document assessed tasks, showing how the assessment criteria are covered. Each assessment criteria will be marked at least twice per semester. In science, each of the assessment criteria is marked out of six. The overall mark out of 36 will be converted to an achievement grade out of seven as in previous years.

The following methods will be used to make judgments on student skills and abilities in this subject. Note: these will vary with the particular unit being studied.

• unit tests (including matching items, completion items, short answer items, multiple choice items, interpretive exercises, extended answer questions)
• topic quizzes
• research assignments
• product evaluations (such as laboratory reports, project posters, models, scientific enquiries)
• work book checks
• oral responses
• pair and group work
• debates and presentations

Subject specific expectations

Practical performance in experiments will be monitored focusing on manipulation of scientific equipment, safety in the lab, careful observations and ability to work both individually and in groups.