PICTON HIGH SCHOOL STAGE 4 Science

Year 8 Student Research Project STEM Crystal Growing

Due Date: Friday 6th July 2018 Assessment Name: Student Research Project Mark: /77 Weighting: 25% SYLLABUS OUTCOMES TO BE ASSESSED:

♦ SC4-4WS - identifies questions and problems that can be tested or researched and makes predictions based on scientific knowledge

♦ SC4-5WS - individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems ♦ SC4-6WS - follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation

types, individually ♦ SC4-7WS - processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources

to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions ♦ SC4-9WS - presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using

appropriate scientific language, text types and representations DIRECTIVES TO BE ASSESSED: Identify - Recognise and name Investigate - Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about Analyse - Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications Present - Show your findings to a select audience using specific style/technique for that audience TASK DESCRIPTION: You will be required to research, carry out an experiment and write a scientific report for the growing of salt crystals (Potassium Aluminium Sulphate or Alum, see attached Material Safety data Sheet for more information) You will be given 40 grams of Alum powder and 4 seed crystals for your experiments. Conduct research on how to grow it as a crystal and conduct an experiment that tests the following question/variable;

Will a crystal grow larger if grown in the dark compared to one grown in the light?

The final results must be submitted as a scientific report (scaffold attached), and the crystal handed back in for entry to the NSW RACI Crystal Growing Competition. Students who demonstrate advanced skills or interest may have the opportunity to obtain more Alum for larger crystals or different salts (non-toxic) for growing crystals of different shapes and colours (see your teacher for more information.)

When submitting the assessment and the crystal; 1. wrap the crystals individually in cling-wrap 2. label them as either light or dark 3. place them in your yellow sample jar the powder came in 4. give to your science teacher along with the report

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: You will be assessed on your ability to: Formulate an hypothesis from the different variables listed Plan a controlled first-hand investigation to grow the Alum crystals and test the hypothesis Carry out a controlled first-hand investigation

Write a scientific report including Hypothesis, Aim, Method, Results, Discussion and Conclusion using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations

Task - Conduct a scientific investigation surrounding the growth of a Crystal. You will be given 40 Grams of Potassium Aluminium Sulphate (Alum) and 4 seed crystals to grow your crystals. In order to conduct an experiment and compare the results, the Alum powder should be divided so you can grow them under the conditions of your variable. To do this the 40 grams should be divided in 4x 10 gram lots. This gives enough for 2 crystals grown in the dark, and 2 grown in the light. When dissolving Alum, the best ratio is 1g Alum per 7mL water to achieve a ‘saturated solution’ To help you with this assessment task, your STEM classes will be focusing on crystal growing throughout the time of this task. THE EXPERIMENTAL REPORT - This will have your hypothesis, aim, method, results, conclusion and discussion. You will need to complete the worksheet attached. In carrying out your First Hand Investigation, you are required to complete the attached worksheet which requires you to: (you may use the worksheet as a scaffold and submit your own typed version) - Provide a title for your Investigation - Write an aim for your experiment - State a hypothesis - Select suitable equipment - Devise a stepwise method and - include a labelled diagram - Identify the controls and variables of your experiment - Collect data and present your data in an appropriate format which may include a table and graph. (Meaning

you need to record your results) - State a conclusion. - Discuss your findings. Including a discussion the reliability, validity and accuracy of your experiment and a

discussion of the possible real-life applications of your results. You Should use the P.E.E.L scaffold to write your discussion

- Include references (bibliography) Timeline of task

Week 1 Understand what the variable is asking and develop a hypothesis. Carry out

research as to how you can grow your crystal,

Week 2 Design your experiment, plan and gather your equipment and develop your

method. Begin your experiment

Weeks 3-6 Record observations of your experimental progress, remember you need to be

measuring your crystals frequently, so set an alarm for every second day.

Weeks 6-7 Analyse your results (Decide what your results have shown).

Write draft report and obtain feedback from your teacher.

Make corrections to your report (if necessary)

Week 8 Hand in your completed project report. Take a deep breath... It’s over.

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YEAR 8 Crystal Student research task planning sheet Name: _______________________ Class: ________________ (5 marks)

The problem: What is the problem that is being asked?

Predictions: What suggestions or predictions can you make which are

relevant?

Linking predictions with theory: From what you already know, why do you

think your prediction will happen?

Equipment: What equipment will you need?

Method: How will you carry it out?

Teachers approval/signature: _____________________________

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Year 8 Crystal Research Project Log Sheet/journal

Name ________________________________________ Class ______________________

Week Task to be Completed Weighting (%)

Teacher’s Signature

1 Write an hypothesis and an aim Submit journal Continue background investigation to decide on the equipment required and strategy for testing.

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2 Design experiment and prepare your method, equipment list and a results table. Submit journal so teacher can check your method Organise the equipment and begin your experiment

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3 collect raw data

4 collect raw data

5 collect raw data

6 collect raw data

7 Write draft of the test report. Ensure that the bibliography is also presented in the correct format. Submit Journal Make changes as required, prepare final report

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8 Present final report Submit Completed Task

Total for Log /10

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Report Scaffold Name: …………………………………………………… Complete each section of the worksheet to submit with your final crystals or use this as a scaffold and submit your own typed report with your grown crystals

Title: (Use large print to show your project choice)

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Aim: (A short statement about what question you hope to answer in your experiment )

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Hypothesis: (Remember, the hypothesis is a statement that you can test during the experiment) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Equipment list: (What equipment from the list will you use in your experiment?) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Variables & Control: (The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist; the dependent variable is the one measured (changes you cannot control) and controls are kept the same across the experiment) - Controls

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- Dependent Variable

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- Independent Variable

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Method: (When deciding on your method,use your independent and dependent variables, and think about how you will repeat the experiment to gain more accurate results. How will you measure the results? Will the size of a crystal be measured by weight or measured in distance, or something different) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Diagram of experimental set up: (Draw a labelled scientific diagram of your experiment)

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Results: (Record your results as data in a table, and as written observations. A graph is provided and should be drawn of the tabled data.)

Crystal Growth over time

Days Crystal size (in grams or as a size measurement)

IMPORTANT: The spacing between days where you record observations should have even spacing between them, eg Day 1, 3, 6, etc NOT 1, 5, 6, 7, 10,22 etc)

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Graph Be sure you have S.A.L.T on your graph

S-cale, A-xis, L-ables, T-itle

: Conclusion: (Remember, a conclusion is an answer to the question in your hypothesis) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Discussion: - Did your results prove or disprove your hypothesis? - Was your experiment reliable, accurate and valid? Why or why not? - Identify at least two sources of error in your experiment - Suggest two ways to improve the experiment - How might your results have real-life applications? -What was causing the crystals to grow in the first place? -What variables change how a crystal grows and why?

+ Many more questions you can answer in a discussion

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Bibliography: (Include references such as internet sites or books you used.) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Year 8 Student research Project Marking CriteriaName……………………………………… Class………...............

CRITERIA POSSIBLE

MARK MARK

● identifies questions and problems that can be tested or researched and makes predictions based on scientific knowledge: (SC4-4WS)

- A completed and signed Planning Sheet - A completed and signed Research Log - A Title - An Introduction

▪ Include a statement of the problem you are investigating ▪ Discuss the scientific ideas that are associated with your investigation

An Hypothesis - An Aim

5 10

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2 3

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● presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations

● individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems (SC4-9WS)

- Materials ▪ Listed ▪ Quantities

- Method ▪ Clear statement about what is being tested ▪ Method is easily followed ▪ Chronological steps ▪ Written using third person passive voice ▪ Uses large sample or repetition ▪ Identify the control & variables ▪ Diagram/description/photo of how to set up equipment. (diagram is

labelled, pencil, with a ruler; photo captioned)

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2 2 1 4 1 2 3

● follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, individually (SC4-5WS)

▪ Observations and/or measurements are present in the form of a table ▪ With consistent measurements ▪ Sample size greater than 5

processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions (SC4-9WS)

▪ Tables, graphs, pictures are relevant & appropriate ▪ Tables,captions and or pictures are all clearly labelled ▪ Graph uses S.A.L.T

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2 2 1 4

● processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions (SC4-7WS)

- Discussion ▪ Statement of what the results demonstrate ▪ Explanation of how the results might be useful ▪ Discussion of weakness/difficulties in your experimental design ▪ Explanation of how you could improve your experiment ▪ Suggestion(s) of further variables that could be tested ▪ Clear paragraph structure using P.E.E.L. scaffold (1 mark per aspect)

(P.E.E.L scaffold attached below) - Conclusion

▪ Relate results back to hypothesis with reasons as to why its supported or rejected

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● presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations (SC4-9WS)

● by including: - Bibliography showing secondary sources used - Having correct spelling - Using correct headings - Making your work legible - Having a logical sequence - Having a table of contents or page numbers

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● Total 77

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Assignment receipt (Not needed if submitted through google classroom) This section is to be signed by the class teacher and handed back to the student as proof that the assignment was presented on time. Do not lose this receipt. Student Name _______________________________ Class ___________

Assignment Title _______________________________________________________ Date due ____________________ Date submitted _____________________ Teacher’s signature ___________________________________________

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