Science Assessment Examples
Introduction
Each of the examples below will first present a sample objective, and then illustrate what
a potential assignment could look like for that type of assessment. Since there are a
wide range of possibilities for each type of assessment given the specific objective(s)
involved, only use these examples to give you an idea of how they can work within a
course to meet an objective.
Discussions & Journals
Objective: Analyze the impact of the space program on the collection of data about the
Earth and the universe.
Potential discussion question:
Research planned or proposed space exploration projects. Discuss their purpose with
regards to the question below.
Is it worth the billions of dollars that are necessary to successfully run these programs?
Give your reasons for agreeing and disagreeing. Remember to read all postings, and
comment thoughtfully on other postings. Also reply to any comments made to your
posting.
Projects
Objective: Explain that many of the earth's systems and all of earth's inhabitants
depend on the sun's energy to exist and function.
Potential project description:
You will create a project called Our Buddy the Sun. This project is designed to provide
you with a creative opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned about the
importance of the sun’s energy to earth.
Your project can take the form of a poem, a play, a short story, a song that you write and
record or a digital collage.
If you have another project idea you may ask permission from your teacher.
What program should I use?
The program you use to create your project will depend on the format of your project.
Work closely with your teacher to ensure that you have access to the technology you
need to complete your chosen project.
Possible programs include: Word, Power Point, Publisher, Paint or Photo Story. Photo
Story is available at this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx If
you have another program in mind, check with your teacher to make sure you can use it
for this project.
What information should my project include?
Your project will describe in detail at least 3 examples of how earth’s systems depend on
energy from the sun. You are not writing a simple report. You are creating a project that
communicates the importance of the sun to earth using various examples from your
learning. Explain each of your examples in detail. Make sure you explain in detail how
the sun’s energy allows the systems to function.
You may create a project that describes the earth without the sun, as long as you
explain why certain systems will not function without the sun and the effect this lack of
energy will have, or you may create a project that details and explains how the function
of earth’s systems depend on energy from the sun.
Your project should also include any additional, necessary information. For example: If
you choose to write a short story or a play, you must include character development,
setting information, etc.
Work with your teacher if you have questions about the information you need to include
in your project.
Visual Display (Pictures)
Your project will include at least three pictures. The pictures may be images that you
create or you may borrow images that you find in books or on the web. If you borrow
images from another source, make sure to review the information on how to create a
Bibliography and cite your sources.
If you choose to create a collage for your project, you will need to include more than
three images.
Cite your sources and include a bibliography.
WebQuests
Objective: Analyze the efficiency of energy conversions that are responsible for the
production of electricity such as from radiant, nuclear, and geothermal sources, fossil
fuels such as coal, gas, oil, and the movement of water or wind.
Potential WebQuest question:
The practical use of nuclear fission or fusion in our lives is very controversial. Some
people argue that nuclear energy is a safe and cheap alternative to coal for creating
electrical power. Others argue that the history of nuclear power has not shown that. It
tends to cost as much or more to operate a nuclear facility as any other type of power,
and there have been serious accidents. (Look up the terms "Chernoble" or "Three Mile
Island" via an Internet search engine for examples.)
What do you think? Should we devote resources to using nuclear power?
Don't just voice an opinion--make sure you use data and research to support your point
of view.
Writing Assignments
Most writing assignments in our science course come in the form of a lab report.
Research Papers
We don’t use research papers in our science courses.
Labs
Objective: Interpret the functions of systems in organisms including circulatory,
digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, integumentary, skeletal, respiratory,
muscular, excretory, and immune AND compare the interrelationships of organ systems
to each other and to the body as a whole.
Potential lab topic:
Introduction: The anatomy of a fetal pig represents general mammals (including
humans). In this laboratory, you will examine those features that represent mammalian
anatomy and modifications characterizing the mammalian embryo. You should try to not
only memorize the name, appearance and location of each structure, but also to relate
each structure to its function and its role in the physiology of mammals.
Objectives:
1. Explore and report on the various organs and organ systems in a mammal, as typified
by a fetal pig.
2. Study the interconnectedness and dependence of the major organ systems of a
mammalian body.
Time Requirements:
This lab should take 6-7 hours to complete.
http://www.whitman.edu/biology/vpd/main.html
See attached lab report.
Quiz/Exam Questions
Use lower level thinking objectives to create basic auto-graded assessments for quizzes
and exams. These objectives typically start with verbs such as: identify, list, define, etc.
For example, using the following objective you could create a basic true/false question.
Objective: Identify metabolic activities using experimental knowledge of enzymes.
Quiz question:
Enzymes work only on a single substrate, in most cases.
*a. True
b. False
Use lower level thinking objectives to create basic auto-graded assessments for quizzes
and exams. These objectives typically start with verbs such as: identify, list, define, etc.
For example, using the following objective you could create a basic multiple choice
question.
Objective: Identify metabolic activities using experimental knowledge of enzymes.
Quiz question:
The macromolecule group that most enzymes belong to is the ____.
a. carbohydrates
b. lipids
*c. proteins
d. nucleic acids
Another way to approach mid and high level objectives in multiple choice questions is to
provide a graph, table, or image for students to use in answering the question.
Objective: Differentiate different types of cells as the basic structural and functional unit
of living things.
Picture 1 - Hedges, Kathryn. picture014.jpg. 2005. Pics4Learning. 18 Sep 2008
http://pics.tech4learning.com
Picture 2 - Hedges, Kathryn. picture011.jpg. 2005. Pics4Learning. 18 Sep 2008
http://pics.tech4learning.com
Quiz question:
Look at the pictures above. Which of the following must be true?
*a. Picture 1 and 2 are of plant cells because they are both rectangular in shape.
b. Picture 1 and 2 are of animal cells because they both contain cytoplasm.
c. Picture 1 is an animal cell because it contains a nucleus, and Picture 2 is a plant cell
because it does not contain nucleus.
d. Picture 1 is an animal cell because it does not contain chlorophyll and Picture 2 is a
plant cell because it contains chlorophyll.
@ Good work! Both of these cells are rectangular in shape so they are plant cells.
Animals cells are round or circular in shape.
(Incorrect feedback) @Not this one. There is not a lot of detail on either of these images.
How can you tell if they are plant or animal cells just by looking at the overall structure?
Use mid level objectives to create short answer essay questions for quizzes and exams.
These objectives typically start with verbs such as: explain, outline, demonstrate, etc.
Objective: Explain several methods of dating earth materials and structures.
Quiz question:
Evidence suggests that Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, even though no Earth rocks
have been found that can be dated at more than 4 billion years old. In a well-crafted
paragraph or two please explain this discrepancy.