Work samples

Science

Year 8

Satisfactory

Body systems

Summary of task

In a teaching and learning unit on biological sciences, students studied human anatomy with a particular focus on the respiratory, circulatory, nervous and digestive systems. They investigated cells, tissues and organs in each system. Students were given an opportunity to observe the dissection of a sheep’s heart, lung and liver and, working as a group, to dissect a squid.

This summative assessment task was designed to give students the opportunity to examine how the body systems of humans and other species work and to compare their similarities and differences. Students were asked to compare and contrast a human body system with that of another species. They were given the following list of species and body systems to choose from:

frog (respiratory or digestive system)
cow (digestive system)
octopus (nervous system)
worm (circulatory or respiratory system)
fish (circulatory or respiratory system)
insect (skeletal or respiratory system).

Students were asked to consider this comparison at cell, organ and body system levels and present their work to their peers using a digital medium of their choice, including three items:

labelled diagram of both systems describing the functions of key components
(Students were encouraged to hand draw and scan their diagrams)
venn diagram to illustrate similarities and differences in structure and function of both systems
analysis that discusses the following questions:
- What are the implications of the differences in structures for the functions of each organism?
- What are their benefits for the organism and what are their challenges/disadvantages?

As an optional extension, students were encouraged to answer the following questions:

Could the other species’ body system enhance the human system if it were compatible?
How would this enhance human existence and why would this be useful?

Students were given four weeks to research their chosen system and prepare their presentations, encompassing approximately four hours in-class time and two hours at-home time. Assistance was provided through the use of scaffolds and students were encouraged to check in regularly to ensure that they were completing all aspects of the task.

Achievement standard

By the end of Year 8, students compare physical and chemical changes and use the particle model to explain and predict the properties and behaviours of substances. They identify different forms of energy and describe how energy transfers and transformations cause change in simple systems. They compare processes of rock formation, including the timescales involved. They analyse the relationship between structure and function at cell, organ and body system levels. Students examine the different science knowledge used in occupations. They explain how evidence has led to an improved understanding of a scientific idea and describe situations in which scientists collaborated to generate solutions to contemporary problems. They reflect on implications of these solutions for different groups in society.

Students identify and construct questions and problems that they can investigate scientifically. They consider safety and ethics when planning investigations, including designing field or experimental methods. They identify variables to be changed, measured and controlled. Students construct representations of their data to reveal and analyse patterns and trends, and use these when justifying their conclusions. They explain how modifications to methods could improve the quality of their data and apply their own scientific knowledge and investigation findings to evaluate claims made by others. They use appropriate language and representations to communicate science ideas, methods and findings in a range of text types.

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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Identifies key components of bird digestive system and describes their functions
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Annotation 2
Identifies key components of human digestive system and describes their functions
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Annotation 3
Creates hand drawn diagrams illustrating species’ digestive systems

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Annotations
1
Annotation 1
Creates Venn diagram displaying commonalities and differences of bird and human digestive systems
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Annotation 2
Explains how differences in diets necessitate differences in species’ digestive systems