CHS Culminating Project Program                                                              

 

Choosing a SCIENCE BEST WORKS Artifact

and Writing a Justification

 

A SCIENCE best work is an assignment you’ve completed for a science class, and/or an assignment you have done for another class in which you demonstrate your science skills.

 

Have you done work or passed tests that show you understand:

●   How properties are used to identify, describe, and categorize substances, materials, and objects?

●   How characteristics are used to categorize living things?

●   How components, structures, organizations, and interconnections describe systems?

●   How interactions within and among systems cause changes in matter and energy? How science can be applied to solve human problems?

●   The nature of scientific inquiry?

Have you completed an assignment that shows that you:

●   Have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to do scientific inquiry?

●   Can apply knowledge and skills of science and technology to design solutions to human problems or meet challenges?

●   Can analyze how science and technology are related to each other, to society, and to the workplace and the environment?

If the ‘best work’ you’ve done is not that good in your opinion, INCLUDE IT ANYWAY. It’s the best you have for now…..and as your science skills improve during your high school career you will be able to point to THIS first science work, and show how far you’ve come.

You may use science works you’ve created in the past, but no further back than ninth grade. You may also use assignments from other classes where you’ve used your science skills to successfully complete an assignment (such as AP Psychology or Sports Medicine).

If you do not have a science class, you can include a best work from Industry & Technology, Computer Technology, Math, or Health courses.

If the artifact is a test or other assignment the teacher does not want to release, use the “Best Work/Quiz Test” FORM, which you can download from the CPP website at: http://www.upsd.wednet.edu/ccp/.

Using the UPSD BEST WORKS FORM your cohort leader gives you (which can also be downloaded from the website), write about the five traits demonstrated in your artifact (these are identified in your Resource Guide).

You may also want to consult the handout “Evidence of State Goal Three/Four Traits” for more guidance in terms of what to write about. Attach your justification form to your Science BEST WORK (or the “quiz/test” form) and put it in your portfolio. See sample on back.

Science Best Work: EXAMPLE OF ASSIGNMENT

 

 

 

Science Artifact: BEST WORKS JUSTIFICATION

 

Write descriptions of traits on UPSD BEST WORKS form. Reference your Resource Guide and handout entitled “Evidence of State Three/Four Traits” for more ideas concerning what to write.

ANALYSIS: I not only explained how osprey would get PCBs in their body system; I explained why the concentration of PCBs is higher in osprey than in other organisms in this lake, an explanation not that obvious to a non-scientist who doesn’t understand the food chain and biomagnification.

KNOWLEDGE: In this answer, I showed accurate knowledge of the food chain and increased dosage through biomagnification, new concepts I just learned this year in biology. I also am beginning to understand how so many ecosystems around here in UP, such as Chambers Creek, are being affected by pollutants from development.

EFFECTS OF EFFORT: I have been studying harder than I usually do in biology, because Mr. Cowan has really helped me see how important it is to try harder, and to believe in myself - that I CAN do it. Seeing my grades improve has just made me want to do even better next quarter!

PERFORMANCE: I’m planning on becoming a firefighter, and I know that I will be trained in depth on the scientific principles that explain why fires start. I’ll need to understand how “interactions within and among systems cause changes in matter and energy” – that’s the science of how fires start. As a firefighter, I’ll also be using my skills to solve a crucial human problem – how to save lives!

 

 

__________________________________________________________ BEST WORK “Quiz/Test” FORM

 

Directions: If your teacher does not want to release a quiz/test, fill out this half sheet and have your teacher sign and date to verify your score on the test.

 

Your Name_____________________________________Class____________________________________________

Your teacher’s name_______________________________________________

Name of Quiz/Test (description):____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Skills Demonstrated on this Quiz/Test (list/describe):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

My score/grade: _________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________ BEST WORK “Quiz/Test” FORM

 

Directions: If your teacher does not want to release a quiz/test, fill out this half sheet and have your teacher sign and date to verify your score on the test.

 

Your Name_____________________________________Class____________________________________________

Your teacher’s name_______________________________________________

Name of Quiz/Test (description):____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Skills Demonstrated on this Quiz/Test (list/describe):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________