This component requires students to use spoken language to communicate ideas and information to a live or virtual audience (that is, through the use of technology) for a particular purpose. Examples include: oral presentations debates interviews podcasts seminars. Multimodal component This component requires students to use a combination of at least two modes delivered at the same time to communicate ideas and information to a live or virtual audience for a particular purpose. The selected modes are integrated to allow both modes to contribute significantly to the multimodal component. Modes include: written spoken/signed nonverbal, e.g. physical, visual, auditory. The multimodal component can be a presentation or non-presentation. Examples of presentations include delivery of a slide show, a short video clip, or webinar. An example of a non-presentation is a webpage with embedded media (graphics, images, audio or video). A variety of technologies may be used in the creation or presentation of the component. Replication of a written document into an electronic or digital format does not constitute a multimodal component. Performance component This component refers to physical demonstrations as outcomes of applying a range of cognitive, technical skills. Performance components involve student application of identified skill/s when responding to a task that involves solving a problem, or conveying meaning or intent. Examples include: delivery of demonstrations, i.e. given procedures or student-designed experimental procedures setting up, monitoring and maintaining systems, e.g. aquariums, ecosystems and habitats organising and delivering presentation tasks, e.g. segments at events such as a science competition, forum or Science Week events. Assessment conditions Semesters 1–2 Semesters 3–4 Written component 150–250 words 200–300 words Spoken component 1–2 minutes 1½– 2½ minutes Multimodal component non presentation presentation 4 A4 pages max (or equivalent) 1½–2½ minutes 6 A4 pages max (or equivalent) 2–3 minutes Performance component Schools provide students with some continuous class time to develop and demonstrate the performance component/s of the collection of work. Test component 20–30 minutes 50–150 words per item (diagrams and workings not included in word count) 20–30 minutes 50–250 words per item (diagrams and workings not included in word count) Further guidance
Standards matrix Standard A Standard B Standard C Standard D Standard E Knowing and understanding The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: comprehensive description and explanation of scientific facts, concepts and phenomena in a range of situations including some that are unfamiliar detailed description and explanation of scientific concepts and phenomena in familiar situations description and explanation of scientific facts, concepts and phenomena in familiar situations description of simple scientific facts, concepts and phenomena statements about simple scientific facts and phenomena coherent description and explanation of scientific skills, techniques, methods and detailed description and explanation of scientific skills, techniques, methods and description and explanation of scientific skills, techniques, methods and risks. description of scientific skills, techniques, methods and risks. statements about simple scientific skills, techniques, methods and risks. Analysing and applying The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: comprehensive analysis of data, information, situations and relationships detailed analysis of data, information, situations and relationships analysis of data, information, situations and relationships description of data, information, situations and relationships statements about simple data, information, situations and relationships application of scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to generate justified solutions in a range of situations including some that are unfamiliar application of scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to generate informed solutions in familiar situations application of scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to generate solutions in familiar situations partial application of simple scientific knowledge, understanding and skills superficial application of simple scientific knowledge, understanding and skills and coherent communication using scientific terminology, diagrams, conventions and symbols. effective communication using scientific terminology, diagrams, conventions and symbols. communication using scientific terminology, diagrams, conventions and symbols. basic communication using aspects of scientific terminology, diagrams, conventions and symbols. basic communication using everyday language.
Planning and evaluating The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: The student work has the following characteristics: considered planning of scientific activities and investigations effective planning of scientific activities and investigations planning of scientific activities and investigations planning of aspects of scientific activities and investigations statements about aspects of scientific activities and investigations systematic evaluation of the reliability and validity of plans and procedures, and data and information detailed evaluation of the reliability and validity of plans and procedures, and data and information evaluation of the reliability and validity of plans and procedures, and data and information statements about the reliability and validity of simple plans and procedures, and data and information statements about aspects of reliability and validity valid conclusions, decisions and recommendations justified with scientific evidence. informed conclusions, decisions and recommendations linked to scientific evidence. conclusions, decisions and recommendations using scientific evidence. conclusions, decisions and recommendations. statements of personal opinion.