Year 11 Biology – Unit 1 Eco-tank Assignment – Extended Experimental Investigation - Criteria Sheet
Draft / Final Submission Date:
Aspect of the Task / Task Specifics / AThe Student: / B
The Student: / C
The Student: / D
The Student: / E
The Student:
Abstract
Allow the reader to judge whether it would serve their purposes to read the entire report.
Concise (100 to 200 words) summary of the purpose of the report, the data presented, and the author's major conclusions.
Introduction
Defines the subject of the report. Outline the scientific purpose(s) or objective(s) for the research performed
Give the reader sufficient background to understand the rest of the report.
Care should be taken to limit the background to whatever is pertinent to the experiment.
A good introduction will answer several questions, including the following:
Aim:
Why was his study performed; and what was the aim of the investigation?
Answers to this question may be derived from observations of nature or from the literature.
Background Information:
What knowledge already exists about this subject?
The answer to this question must review the literature.
Hypothesis:
What is the specific purpose of the study?
The specific hypotheses and experimental design pertinent to investigating the topic should be escribed.
Materials and Methods
The materials and methods used in the experiments should be reported in this section.
The difficulty in writing this section is to provide enough detail for the reader to understand the experiment without overwhelming him or her.
When procedures from a lab book or another report are followed exactly, simply cite the work, noting that details can be found in that particular source.
Be clear about the variables (elements of the experiment that change to test your hypothesis) versus your controls (elements of the experiment that do not change)
Be very specific about how you will measure results to prove or disprove your hypothesis
What materials were used?
How were they used?
Where and when was the work done? (This question is most important in field studies.)
Results
The results section should summarize the data from the experiments without discussing their implications. The data should be organized into tables, figures, graphs, photographs, and so on.
All figures and tables should have descriptive titles and should include a legend explaining any symbols, abbreviations, or special methods used. Figures and tables should be numbered separately and should be referred to in the text by number, for example:
Figure 1 shows that the oxygen levels are inversely related to the water temperature.
The activity decreased after five minutes (fig. 1).
Figures and tables should be self-explanatory; that is, the reader should be able to understand them without referring to the text.
All columns and rows in tables and axes in figures should be labelled.
This section of your report should concentrate on general trends and differences and not on trivial details.
Discussion
This section should not just be a restatement of the results but should emphasize interpretation of the data, relating them to existing theory and knowledge.
Speculation is appropriate, if it is so identified.
Suggestions for the improvement of techniques or experimental design may also be included here. In writing this section, you should explain the logic that allows you to accept or reject your original hypotheses.
You should also be able to suggest future experiments that might clarify areas of doubt in your results.
Are there any patterns or trends in your data?
What is the relationship between the variables you have investigated?
Conclusion
Concise (100 to 200 words) summary of the purpose of the report, the data presented, the trend presented in the data and the principle major conclusions.
References/ Annotated Bibliography
Risk Assessment
OVERALL ASSESSMENT: / Purpose
Key Results and Findings
Major Conclusions
Define the terms:
Sustainability, Law of Tolerance
Outline key background information on:
Food Web of Tank
Nitrogen Cycle
Plants e.g. Elodea
Fish e.g. Platys
Snails
Photosynthesis
Cell Respiration
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide
pH
Water Temperature
List of expected outcomes and possible concerns with respect to the eco-tank in the hypothesis
Apparatus list
Concise and repeatable method
Identify the parameters that will be tested
Matching hypothesis and to method in design
collect data (log book)
organise data
interpret data
analyse data to make judgements
identity relationships
Make links with data and theory
Apply knowledge to eco-tank to create sustainability
interpret; critically analysing results with links to concepts to draw conclusions
Evaluate the design of the investigation
Adequacy of the data collected
Proposing refinements to experimental design
Gather, critically analyse and evaluate information from valid sources
Justifiable and Responsible Conclusions
Contextual considerations
Evaluates information sources
manages safety issues
UNDERSTANDING BIOLOGY:
INVESTIGATING BIOLOGY:
EVALUATING BIOLOGICAL ISSUES: / UB
Summarise the links between the various water quality parameters and the biotic organisms present in the tank.
UB
Make links between various interrelated abiotic and biotic factors
Bacteria in the Nitrogen Cycle
Relationships in the Food Web
Law of Tolerances of each organism
Roles of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Relationship between oxygen levels and water temperature; and carbon dioxide and pH
More than 5 key links
IB
Formulate a justified researchable concept or question
IB
Designing, modifying and implementing your eco-tank experiment
Clear repeatable method
IB
collects and organises data to identify trends and interrelationships
Using log book
Appropriate graphs and table
e.g.
Nitrites, Nitrate, Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, Fish Activity, Temperature v time
UB
Making links between related ideas, concepts and theories to reveal meaningful inter-relationships such as the relationships in the food web, nitrogen cycle and the dissolved gases
Applying knowledge and understanding to most of the biotic and abiotic systems to create sustainability within the eco-tank
IB
Interpreting and critically analysing results with links to theoretical concepts to draw conclusions relating to the law of tolerances and the concepts energy and nutrient flow within the eco-tank
Evaluating the design of the investigation and reflecting on the adequacy of the data collected and proposing refinements
EBI
Gathering, critically analysing (data to variety of sources) and evaluating information and data from a variety (10) of valid and reliable sources (annotated bibliography)
EBI
Integrating the information and data to make justified and responsible decisions regarding sustainable ecosystems
Considering alternatives and predictions relevant in past, present and future biological contexts – such as Baldwin swamp and/or paradise dam
Evaluates information from a variety of sources to judge their validity and reliability
IB
identifies and addresses safety issues (MSDS) / UB
Summarise the ideas and principles of the various water quality parameters and the biotic organisms present in the tank
UB
Explain most ideas and concepts important to the task
5 key links
IB
Formulate a researchable concept or question
IB
Selecting, modifying and implementing the investigation
Repeatable method
IB
collects and organises data to identify trends
UB
Explaining ideas and concepts describing inter-relationships between key components in the eco-tank
Applying knowledge and understanding to many of the biotic and abiotic systems to create sustainability within the eco-tank
IB
Interpret results and drawing conclusions relating to the law of tolerances and the concepts energy and nutrient flow within the eco-tank
Evaluating the design of the investigation and the adequacy of the data collected
EBI
Gathering, analysing (data to variety of sources) and evaluating information and data from a variety (7-9) of valid and reliable sources
EBI
Integrating the information and data to make supported decisions relating to sustainability
Recognising alternatives and predictions that are relevant in a range of present-day biological contexts
Evaluates information from internet sources only to judge their validity and reliability
IB
addresses safety issues / UB
Describe some ideas between the various water quality parameters and the biotic organisms present in the tank
UB
Describes some ideas and concepts important to the task
4 key links
IB
Identify researchable concept
IB
Selecting and implementing the investigation
Method outlined
IB
collects and presents data
UB
Outline and describe ideas and concepts relating to the relationships within the eco-tank
Applying knowledge and understanding to
some of the biotic and abiotic systems within the eco-tank
IB
Discussing results and drawing conclusion relating to the concepts of sustainability
EBI
Gathering information and data from a variety (5-6) of sources
EBI
Selects relevant information and data to make plausible decisions
Recognising concepts that form the basis of present day biological issues such as habitat management
Provides a full reference list using predominately reliable sources
IB
obeys safety regulations / UB
Outline some understanding by stating concepts and inter-relationships
UB
Outlines some ideas or concepts important
3 key links
IB
Hypothesis present but not clearly defined
IB
Follow instructions
Method outlined
IB
presents collected data
uses results to answer directed questions
UB
States ideas relating to the eco-tank
Experienced problems in creating sustainability due to a lack of understanding
IB
Using data to outline some links with respect to the concept of sustainability
EBI
Gathering (1-4) and using biological information to make statements
EBI
Recognising that a given issue has biological implications
Provides a reference list
IB
follows safety regulations / UB
State terminology or ideas relevant to the eco-tank
UB
State an 1 or 2 ideas that are relevant to the experiment
IB
No hypothesis present
IB
No method and materials
IB
follows instructions to collect and present data
UB
States terminology and ideas relevant to eco-tank concepts
Experienced many problems in creating sustainability due to a lack of understanding and/or application
IB
No discussion
EBI
Uses supplied information to make statements
EBI
Makes statements from supplied information only
No reference list
IB
Requires continual supervision in practical situations