Internal Assessment Resource
Achievement Standard Earth and Space Science 91187: Carry out a practical Earth and Space Science investigation
Resource reference: Earth and Space Science 2.1A
Resource title: Lava Viscosity
Credits: 4
Achievement
Carry out a practical Earth and Space Science investigation.
Achievement with Merit
Carry out an in-depth practical Earth and Space Science investigation.
Ac
hievement with Excellence
Carry out a comprehensive practical Earth and Space Science investigation.
Student instructions
Context
During the Canterbury Earthquakes, many houses were inundated by sediment. This occurred as a result of the type of land that certain parts of the city were built upon. When the seismic waves travelled through the land under the city, the saturated sediment on the Avon River’s floodplain began to behave like a liquid, causing major damage to the infrastructure of the city.
Task
Part A: Conduct background research and develop the method
You may do this in small groups or individually.
· Read and study the background material given to you by your teacher or that you have researched. This is available attached to the bottom of this page.
· Write an aim for your investigation that is related to the research or reading that you have done.
· Write a method for your investigation that relates to the purpose by describing:
- the range for key variables
- how key variables will be measured
- how other variables will be managed
- how valid raw data will be reliably collected.
· Trial your method and/or use the four bullet points above to make sure it will give you valid and reliable raw data. If
necessary, make changes to your method.
· In your logbook, write up how you confirmed your method or discuss the changes you have made to it.
· If you are working in a group, write in your logbook how your ideas helped develop the method the group decided on.
Part B: Collect data
This may be done in groups or individually.
· Collect valid and reliable raw data by following your method.
· You may change the method as you collect the data. Make sure that you record in your logbook any changes and the reasons for them.
· Record the raw data in your logbook.
· If you are working in a group, write in your logbook how you contributed towards the collection of data.
Part C: Write the report
This must be done individually.
Your report should show how you processed and interpreted the data you collected, explain how your method allowed you to collect reliable data, and explain the Earth and Space science related to your investigation.
Your report must contain:
· a statement of purpose for your investigation
· your final method, which describes:
- a range for the key variable
- how the key variable was measured
- how other variables were managed
- how reliable raw data was collected
· the collected raw data consistent with the final method as recorded in your logbook (remember to hand in your logbook with your report)
· the recording and processing of raw data that is relevant to the purpose of your investigation
· your interpretation of the processed data in order to draw a valid conclusion related to the purpose of the investigation
· an explanation of how the method allowed for reliable raw data to be collected
· your explanation in detail of the science related to the investigation.