Science Assessment Task Cover sheet
Subject
Science
Name of Task
M&M’s in different sugar solutions
Notification date
23 March 2015
Assessment due date
13 April 2015
Submission instructions
Hard copy given to your Teacher:
Task Description
Students will investigate the effect of density of a
solution on the solubility of a substance using sugar,
water and M&Ms.
(A basic idea of what you need to
do. You are provided further
instructions on the following pages)
Length/Format
160 min
- Complete pre-assessment task worksheet provided
- Conduct the investigation
- report their observations, results and findings.
Achievement Standards
-Draw two evidence to support their conclusion
(which of the key skills and key
knowledge listed in the
Achievement standards can be
demonstrated through this task)
-Communicate ideas and findings using scientific
language and representations
-Identify variables and chemical changes
Late work: Note that late submissions may have 10% of the total mark deducted for each
day of lateness. After 3 days work will not be graded.
Term 1: Year 7 Assessment Task 1
Does the amount of sugar already dissolved in water affect how fast an M&M coating
dissolves?
Summary of the task:
The M&M coating seems to dissolve and spread the most in water with no sugar and
dissolve and spread the least in water with the highest concentration of sugar. In the water
with the intermediate concentration of sugar, the amount of dissolving and spreading is
between the other two. One possible reason for these differences is that the most
concentrated sugar solution is also the most dense. Because it is more dense, it is more
difficult for the dissolved sugar and color from the M&M to push the dense sugar solution
in the plate out of the way, making it more difficult to spread. Also, much of the water near
the M&M is already associated with sugar and is less available to dissolve more sugar and
color from the M&M.
Outcomes:
1. Draw two evidence to support your conclusion
2. Communicate ideas and findings using scientific language and representations
3. Identify variables and chemical changes
Materials you might use in designing your experiment:
3 Same-color M&M’s
3 White plastic or foam dessert plates
Room-temperature water
Round film canister lid or a quarter
3 Plastic cups, 31/2 ounces
2 Plastic cups, 9 or 10 ounces crayons or
colored pencil
Pre-task assessment:
Q1.Define the following:
Density:
Permanent marker
Sugar
Teaspoon
Bucket or large bowl
Paper towels
Solubility:
Saturated and unsaturated solutions:
Dependant and independent variables:
Q2. How does density affect the solubility of a substance?
Q3. Predict what might happen if they place an M&M in sugar water instead of plain water.
Would the sugar and color dissolve as quickly from the M&M as they do in plain water?
Q4. Identify the variables in the experiment and how they are controlled. (Hint: the amount
of sugar dissolved the type of plate etc.)
Q5. What is the variable that is different in each plate?
Q6. What is purposely kept the same in each plate.
Investigation Task:
Q1. Design an experiment to find out whether the amount of sugar already in water affects
how fast the colour coating dissolves from an M & M.
Procedures:
Results:
Draw and record your observations in the space below.
Discussion:
1.
Does having sugar already dissolved in water affect how fast an M&M coating
dissolves?
2. What makes you think that?
3. What errors can be identified in your procedures?
4. Suggest ways to improve procedures and avoid errors.
Marking Criteria
Outcomes
Marks
1. Demonstrate clear understanding of
scientific concepts (pre-task)
/12
2. Students can predict the result of an
investigation.
/1
3. Student can correctly conduct and
plan investigations.
/4
4. Students can identify all the variables
as dependant and independent
variables.
5. Students can identify errors involved
in their procedures?
/4
6. Suggest an improvements to
procedures that could minimize
identified error
7. Use of scientific language and
appropriate representation to explain
their result and findings.
Total
/2
/2
/2
/25