Objective 1: The objectives for all group 4 subjects reflect
those parts of the aims that will be assessed.
Wherever appropriate, the assessment will draw
upon environmental and technological contexts
and identify the social, moral and economic
effects of science. It is the intention of all
the Diploma Program experimental science courses
that students achieve the following objectives.
1. Demonstrate an understanding of:
a. scientific facts and concepts
b. scientific methods and techniques
c. scientific terminology
d. methods of presenting scientific information. |
Action Verbs:
These command terms indicate the depth of
treatment required for a given assessment
statement. These command terms will be used in
examination questions, so it is important that
students are familiar with the following
definitions.
Define® Give the
precise meaning of a word, phrase or physical
quantity.
Draw® Represent by
means of pencil lines.
Label® Add labels to
a diagram.
List® Give a sequence
of names or other brief answers with no
explanation.
Measure® Find a value
for a quantity.
State® Give a
specific name, value or other brief answer
without explanation or calculation. |
Objective 2: Apply and use:
a. scientific facts and concepts
b. scientific methods and techniques
c. scientific terminology to communicate
effectively
d. appropriate methods to present scientific
information. |
Action Verbs:
These command terms indicate the depth of
treatment required for a given assessment
statement. These command terms will be used in
examination questions, so it is important that
students are familiar with the following
definitions.
Annotate® Add brief
notes to a diagram or graph.
Apply® Use an idea,
equation, principle, theory or law in a new
situation.
Calculate® Find a
numerical answer showing the relevant stages in
the working (unless instructed
not to do so).
Describe® Give a
detailed account.
Distinguish® Give the
differences between two or more different items.
Estimate® Find an
approximate value for an unknown quantity.
Identify® Find an
answer from a given number of possibilities.
Outline ®Give a brief
account or summary. |
Objective
3: Construct, analyze and evaluate:
a. hypotheses, research questions and
predictions
b. scientific methods and techniques
c. scientific explanations. |
Action verbs:
These command terms indicate the depth of
treatment required for a given assessment
statement. These command terms will be used in
examination questions, so it is important that
students are familiar with the following
definitions.
Analyze® Interpret
data to reach conclusions.
Comment® Give a
judgment based on a given statement or result of
a calculation.
Compare® Give an
account of similarities and differences between
two (or more) items, referring
to both (all) of them throughout.
Construct® Represent
or develop in graphical form.
Deduce® Reach a
conclusion from the information given.
Derive® Manipulate a
mathematical relationship(s) to give a new
equation or relationship.
Design® Produce a
plan, simulation or model.
Determine® Find the
only possible answer.
Discuss® Give an
account including, where possible, a range of
arguments for and against the
relative importance of various factors, or
comparisons of alternative hypotheses.
Evaluate® Assess the implications and
limitations.
Explain® Give a
detailed account of causes, reasons or
mechanisms.
Predict® Give an
expected result.
Show® Give the steps
in a calculation or derivation.
Sketch® Represent by means of a graph showing a
line and labeled but un-scaled axes but with
important features (for example, intercept)
clearly indicated.
Solve® Obtain an
answer using algebraic and/or numerical methods.
Suggest® Propose a
hypothesis or other possible answer. |
Objective
4: Demonstrate the personal skills of
cooperation, perseverance and responsibility
appropriate for
effective scientific investigation and problem
solving.
Objective
5: Demonstrate the manipulative skills necessary
to carry out scientific investigations with
precision and
safety.
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