Biology COE Inclusion Tasks
Inclusion tasks are designed specifically for use by students and are the only tasks eligible for inclusion in a Collection of Evidence.
These tasks have been created by teachers throughout the State of Washington. They have undergone a peer review process and
are edited to assure alignment to the state standards. The inclusion tasks are secure assessment materials and are therefore not to
be used for instructional purposes. The tasks and resulting work are built and developed around important science content
standards. These are the same standards assessed on the End of Course (EOC) biology exam. Completed inclusion tasks are the
sole work of a student working independently in a classroom or secured area proctored by an educational professional. The finished
tasks become work samples that are truly a reflection of student work. Inclusion tasks for biology are online through the secure
EDS system. We will continue to add to the biology bank this year. The goal is to have a wide variety of tasks and topics for
students!
Only inclusion tasks are eligible for inclusion in a student collection of evidence to be submitted for scoring. These
tasks are not to be used for classroom instructional purposes.
All of the extracts found here are for review purposes only.
The extracts below are intended to give you a brief overview of the task and the overall context of the task.
Full access to the biology tasks is available through the secure EDS account established in your district. Once an EDS account has
been established, you can begin to assign tasks to students.
For more information about inclusion tasks please contact Kim Andersen, Science & Mathematics Specialist at OPSI.
Kim.andersen@k12.wa.us
Bear Crossing
Large predators like lynx, bear and cougar in Washington maintain large home territories. These predators may walk long distances
and cross highways to find mates.
Carbon Matters
Earth is a system that relies on the constant input of energy from the sun and on the cycling of matter. Carbon is the element found
in all organic matter on Earth, including you. Organic compounds are the large carbon-based molecules of life. The cycling of
carbon is important to the health of all organisms.
Do-It-Yourself Plant Experiment
There are many variables that can affect a living plant or plant seed.
Gently Down a Creek
The material on the bottom of a creek is called the substrate. In places where water flows slowly, the substrate is usually small
particles like sand. Faster flowing areas usually have gravelly or rocky substrates as shown in the Creek Substrate diagram. The
substrate provides habitat for aquatic organisms like fish, stonefly larvae, and snails.
In the Zone
The intertidal zone is an ecosystem found along the Washington coast. During high tide, the intertidal zone is covered by saltwater.
During low tide, this ecosystem is exposed to air. The Intertidal Zone Ecosystem diagram shows some of the organisms adapted to
the changing conditions in this ecosystem.
It’s in the Genes
Cells contain structures that allow the cells to carry out life functions and to pass on characteristics to future generations.
Planning a School Garden
Jose and Esperanza wanted to plant a vegetable garden. First they had to determine the best location. Near their school, there was
a forest, a field, and a stream habitat. From their research, the students learned that the success of a vegetable garden is affected
by the number of earthworms in the soil and the sand content of the soil.
Puppy Love
Lilly is a white dog with blue eyes. Buddy is a black dog with brown eyes. They have produced two litters of puppies.
Wolves in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872. At that time, the park was a stable ecosystem. The Yellowstone Food Web diagram
shows relationships among some organisms in the park.