Contribution of scientific research to society
Description of activity
Students select and research two Australian scientists from the list in the information sheet. They gather information from a variety of sources, and identify and summarise relevant information in a log book. Students use their research information on the two scientists in an in-class task to present a discussion of the topic: Society should support scientific research. They present arguments for and against this statement including reference to the work of two Australian scientists.
Context
Students have skills in accessing, gathering, collating and summarising information from a variety of types of secondary sources. They have previous experiences in using a log book to record information in research tasks. Through the explicit teaching/learning experiences of the teaching program they have gained understanding and skills communicating information and understanding using discussion text.
Areas for Assessment
Outcomes
A student:
5.3 evaluates the impact of application of science on society and the environment
5.5 analyses how current research might affect people’s lives
5.16 accesses information from a wide variety of secondary sources
5.18 selects and uses appropriate forms of communication to present information to an audience
Criteria for assessing learning:
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- select and use a range of types of secondary sources
- collate and summarise information from a number of secondary sources
- use a discussion text to present information to an audience
- present arguments for and against society supporting scientific research
- support arguments with relevant information about the work of two Australian scientists.