Assessment in MYP

During the course of year 9 the students (yes you!) will be assessed on the myp criteria on several occasions.

• Criterion A - One world
• Criterion B - Communications skills
• Criterion C - Knowledge and understanding
• Criterion D - Experimental Procedures
• Criterion E - Data Analysis
• Criterion F - Experimental Techniques

It is envisaged that each criterion will be assessed at lease twice per term.

Criterion A: One world

The objectives of Criterion A - (One world) are as follows

• to describe ways in which science is applied and used
• to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the application of science
• to discuss the ethical and moral issues arising from the application of science
• to discuss how the study and practice of science is subject to cultural influences
• to understand how the various science disciplines interact and how science in general relates to other disciplines
• to treat science as a cooperative activity

Possible subjects for assessment of this criterion:

Assessment 1 - Pure water in the world

Assessment 2 - Isotopes in society

Criterion B: Comunication skills

The objectives of Criterion B - (Communication) are as follows:

At the end of the science course the student should be able to communicate ideas, observations, arguments and practical experience:

• using appropriate vocabulary and language
• using graphs, charts, diagrams and tables
• using an appropriate report format
• using where appropriate software such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases and modelling programs.

There are many opportunities for assessment of this criterion during the course of the year. Any lab report (practical write-up), essay, or description of a demonstration may be used.

Assessment 1 - Pure water in the world

Assessment 2 - Isotopes in society

Criterion C: Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course the student should be able to demonstrate knowledge with understanding of:

• the nature and methodology of science
• scientific facts, definitions, laws, theories, models and concepts
• appropriate vocabulary and terminology, including the use of symbolic language
• how laws theories models and concepts have changed over time
• the SI units of measurement

There are man opportunities to assess this criterion. Usually it will be done through tests and exams.

Assessment 1 - Unit test

Assessment 2 - Unit test

Criterion D: Scientific enquiry

At the end of the course the student should be able to demonstrate and iunderstanding of scientific enquiry by being able to:

• state a problem in the form of a question that can be answered by experiment
• form a hypothesis
• test a hypothesis under conditions in which the variables are controlled
• plan an appropriate experiment
• draw conclusions consistent with the evidence commenting on errors as appropriate
• assess the validity of the conclusion based on the amount of evidence
• evaluate the overall design and procedures followed in an experiment

This is probably the hardest of the criteria from the students point of view. The assessment will take place by means of self planned practical experiments and their subsequent write-ups.

Assessment 1 - Solubility

Assessment 2 -

Criterion E: Processing data

At the end of the course the student should be able to :

• organise, present and evanluate data in a variety of forms
• transform data presented in one form to another form including mathematical calculations graphs and charts
• identify trends and patterns in data
• make predictions based on data
• draw conclusions based on data
• use knowledge and understanding to explain the conclusions

This may be assessed using self produced data or presented data in the form of exercises,

Assessment 1 - Solubility

Assessment 2 -

Criterion F: Performance in experiments

At the end of the course the students should be able to:

• follow instructions, both written and oral
• select and safely manipulate apparatus materials and techniques appropriate to the experimental tasks
• carry out experimental tasks safely; make and record observations, estimates and measurements
• use appropriate tools an techniques to collect data
• work cooperatively

There are many opportunities to assess this criterion in the course of the year. A full list of practical experiments can be found here.

Assessment 1 -

Assessment 2 -