Sciences Summative Assessment

Unit: Waves and sound

MYP 2 (Level 13)
Criteria Level Descriptors with Task-specific Clarification

Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing

i. outline an appropriate problem or research question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. outline a testable prediction using scientific reasoning
iii. outline how to manipulate the variables, and outline how data will be collected
iv. design scientific investigations.

Level Level Descriptor Task-specific Clarification

❏ Attempts a research question that has the IDV and DV.
The student is able to: ❏ No background information about the question.
1-2 i. select a problem or question to
❏ Attempts a hypothesis but not in if...then… format, or not proper.
be tested by a scientific
❏ Incomplete/improper list of variables with no explanation and minor errors.
investigation.
ii. select a testable prediction. ❏ Fails to state how enough relevant data is to be collected.
iii. state a variable. ❏ Attempts, or is missing, materials list.
iv. design a method with limited success. ❏ Attempts, or is missing, step-by-step procedure.
The student is able to: ❏ Research question has the IDV or DV but is not stated properly.
i. state a problem or question to be ❏ Irrelevant or unclear background information about the question.
3-4 tested by a scientific investigation. ❏ Hypothesis in if..then... format but with no scientific reasoning.
ii. state a testable prediction. ❏ Lists the IDV, DV and CVs with no/unclear explanation and/or minor errors.
iii. state how to manipulate the ❏ States an improper amount of relevant data to be collected.
variables, and state how data will be ❏ Materials list is incomplete or has no quantities and/or amounts.
collected. ❏ Step-by-step procedure is incomplete and illogical.
iv. design a safe method in which he or she
selects materials and equipment.
❏ Research question states the IDV and DV but needs some clarity.
The student is able to: ❏ Limited but relevant background information about the question.
5-6 i. state a problem or question to be ❏ Hypothesis missing one or two of the following: uses if..then..because format, is
tested by a scientific investigation. testable, answers the question, provides scientific reasoning.
ii. outline a testable prediction. ❏ Outlines how you will thoughtfully manipulate your IDV, states why you measure
iii. outline how to manipulate the the DV, and gives a simple/no account of how at least three CVs will be controlled.
variables, and state how data will be ❏ States how data will be collected but does not clearly state how enough will be.
collected. ❏ Bulleted materials list is complete with limited quantities and amounts.
iv. design a safe method in which he or she ❏ Numbered, step-by-step procedure is missing steps or needs clarity.
selects materials and equipment.
The student is able to:
i. outline a problem or question to ❏ Research question clearly outlines the IDV and DV.
7-8 be tested by a scientific ❏ Sufficient, clear and relevant background information about the question.
investigation. ❏ Hypothesis uses if..then..because format, is testable, answers the question, and
ii. outline a testable prediction provides scientific reasoning.
using scientific reasoning. ❏ Outlines how you will thoughtfully manipulate your IDV, why you measure the DV
iii. outline how to manipulate the and gives a brief account of how at least three CVs will be controlled.
variables, and outline how sufficient, ❏ Outlines how enough specific relevant data will be collected.
relevant data will be collected. ❏ Bulleted materials list is complete; including quantities and amounts.
iv. design a logical, complete and safe ❏ Numbered, step-by-step procedure is clear, logical and repeatable.
method in which he or she selects
appropriate materials and equipment.

Notes

Command Terms (Terms below could be for either criterion B or C)

Design: Produce a plan, simulation or model

Explain: Give a detailed account including reasons or causes
Outline: Give a brief account
State: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation

*IDV = Independent variable, DV = dependent variable and CV = controlled variable

Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating
i. present collected and transformed data
ii. interpret data and outline results using scientific reasoning
iii. discuss the validity of a prediction based on the outcome of the scientific investigation
iv. discuss the validity of the method
v. describe improvements or extensions to the method.
Level Level Descriptor Task-specific Clarification
The student attempts to:
i. collect and present data in numerical
and/or visual forms ❏ Table(s) missing or highly inaccurate.
ii. interpret data ❏ Graph(s) missing or highly inaccurate.
1-2 iii. state the validity of a prediction based on ❏ Attempted to explain the data.
the outcome of a scientific investigation, ❏ Attempted to state how the data supports or rejects the hypothesis.
with limited success ❏ Attempted to answer the question with data from the experiment.
iv. state the validity of the method based on ❏ Attempted statement of the procedural errors.
the outcome of a scientific investigation, ❏ Attempted to state improvements to the experiment that would lead to an
with limited success improved experiment or state extensions to the experiment that would lead to
v. state improvements or extensions to further investigations.
the method that would benefit the
scientific
investigation, with limited success.

The student is able to:

❏ Table(s) contain major organizational errors. - Title, labels, units, averages missing.
i. correctly collect and present data
❏ Graph(s) contain major organizational errors - Titles, scale, units, averages missing.
in numerical and/or visual forms
❏ The data is explained but missing much of the relevant quantitative data.
3-4 ii. accurately interpret data and outline results ❏ Simple statement of how the data supports or rejects the hypothesis.
iii. state the validity of a prediction based on ❏ Partially answers the question from the experiment without using scientific
the outcome of a scientific investigation
reasoning.
iv. state the validity of the method based on
❏ Limited statement of the procedural errors with no attempt at how that led to
incorrect data.
the outcome of a scientific investigation
❏ State improvements to the experiment that would lead to an improved
v. state improvements or extensions to
experiment or state extensions to the experiment that would lead to further
the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
investigations.

The student is able to: ❏ Table(s) contain minor organizational errors. - Title, labels, units
i. correctly collect, organize and present ❏ improper. Graph(s) contain minor organizational errors - Titles, scale,
data in numerical and/or visual forms units, averages improper.
ii. accurately interpret data and outline results ❏ Explanation of most of the data with quantitative data but needs clarity.
5-6 using scientific reasoning ❏ Improved statement of how the data supports or rejects the hypothesis.
iii. outline the validity of a prediction based ❏ Completely answers the question from the experiment without using scientific
on the outcome of a scientific reasoning or very limited scientific reasoning.
investigation ❏ Brief statement of the procedural errors and an attempt at how that led to
iv. outline the validity of the method based incorrect data.
on the outcome of a scientific ❏ Outline improvements to the experiment that would lead to an improved
investigation experiment or state extensions to the experiment that would lead to further
v. outline improvements or extensions to investigations.
the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.

The student is able to: ❏ Table(s) are neatly organized with proper title, labels, and units.
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and ❏ Graph(s) have proper titles, are chosen correctly, have labeled axes with units, an
present data in numerical and/or visual appropriate scale and intervals.
forms ❏ Clear explanation of the data complete with quantitative data and analysis.
7-8 ❏ Outlines how data supports/rejects hypotheses with experimental evidence.
ii. accurately interpret data and outline results
using correct scientific reasoning ❏ Completely answered the question with data from the experiment using scientific
iii. discuss the validity of a prediction based reasoning.
on the outcome of a scientific ❏ Thorough account of the procedural errors with an explanation of how that led to
investigation incorrect data.
iv. discuss the validity of the method based ❏ Describe improvements to the experiment that would lead to an improved
on the outcome of a scientific experiment or state extensions to the experiment that would lead to further
investigation investigations.
v. describe improvements or extensions to
the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.

Notes

Command Terms (Terms below could be for either criterion B or C)

Interpret: Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.
Organize: Put ideas and information into a proper or systematic order.
Present: Offer for display, observation, examination or consideration
State: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
Outline: Give a brief account
Discuss: Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions
should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
Unit 3: Waves and sound
Key concept: Relationships
Global context: Personal and cultural expression
Statement of inquiry: The waves see and hear help us to form our relationship with the outside
world.
ATL Skills: Communication skills (Strand: Understanding human perception)

Assessment instructions: Cut the noise!

Unwanted sound can be a real nuisance, particularly if you live near a busy airport or road intersection.
In this assessment, you will work as an acoustic engineer who has been commissioned to investigate the
way materials can be used to reduce noise levels. You will need to produce scientific data to describe
the ways in which materials can be used to better insulate their homes against unwanted sound. More
detailed information is provided on page 108, MYP 2 by Concept Sciences.
This assessment will be judged under Criterion B (Inquiring and designing) and Criterion C (Processing and
evaluating)
➢ In this task, you need to describe the problem you are going to investigate and write an inquiry
question for your investigation. In other words, write your own title of this investigation and write a
short paragraph about what your research is about.
➢ Predict what you expect to see happening for the experiment. Your prediction is the hypothesis for
this experiment. State it in a clear manner and explain why you think so. Keep in your mind that this
is not a guessing game, your hypothesis can be wrong and that is not taken as a wrong step.
➢ Design an investigation that allows you to test the products. Describe the measurement you will
make and the types of materials and programs/applications that you will use. Explain how you will be
experimenting with the materials that you can find in your household, how you will produce, and
how you will measure the sound.
➢ Set the variables of your experiment:
Independent variable (IDV): Quantities you will change in order to affect the outcome of an experiment.
Dependent variable (DV): Quantities that represent the outcome of the experiment.
Controlled variable (CV): Quantities that are held constant throughout the environment.
➢ Carry out your investigation. Record your observations, organize and present them in a clear form -
table. Present your findings in a way that allows the results for different materials to be compared.
➢ A simplified example of how organized data can be presented

Trial Material Sound produced Sound detected (dB)

1 xxx

2 yyy

3 zzz

➢ Interpret your observations and explain them in your own words. State whether or not your hypothesis
was correct.
➢ Evaluate your investigation. Did you answer the inquiry question you wrote? How could you
have improved your investigation? What additional measurements could you have made?

● Be sure that you follow all of the steps given for both of the criteria.
● Prepare this report in word or a pdf format.