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Water purification - ABOVE

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Science

Year 7

Above satisfactory

Water purification

Summary of task

In a teaching and learning unit on pure substances and mixtures, students investigated different types of mixtures and explored scientific terminology used to describe their components, states of matter, reversible and irreversible changes, aspects of particle theory and properties of water.

This task was a component of a cross-curricular STEAM project where students were asked to re-design a garden within the school. Their brief was that the garden had to be a place of relaxation and reflection and it should improve the biodiversity within the area. Students were asked to design and create a water purification method for this water feature using one or more of the separation techniques investigated in class. Students were asked to design and create a water purification method for this water feature using one or more of the separation techniques investigated in class. They were provided with all materials to create a filter and a sample of dirty water. Students were asked to create a report to describe their design process and their observations regarding the effectiveness of the filtration process.

Over the course of three weeks, students worked in groups of three to research and design the filtration device and to perform the experiment; they were required to create individual reports. Students were provided with scaffolding during the design and modification phases to ensure they understood the concepts of a fair test.

Achievement standard

By the end of Year 7, students describe techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They represent and predict the effects of unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravity, on motion. They explain how the relative positions of Earth, the sun and moon affect phenomena on Earth. They analyse how the sustainable use of resources depends on the way they are formed and cycle through Earth systems. They predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines and diverse cultures has been used to solve a real-world problem. They explain possible implications of the solution for different groups in society.

Students identify questions that can be investigated scientifically. They plan fair experimental methods, identifying variables to be changed and measured. They select equipment that improves fairness and accuracy and describe how they considered safety. Students draw on evidence to support their conclusions. They summarise data from different sources, describe trends and refer to the quality of their data when suggesting improvements to their methods. They communicate their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations.

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Annotation 1
Uses scientific terminology to classify mixture and identify components
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Describes filter materials and explains intended effects
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Explains in detail function of charcoal
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Annotation 4
Recognises change in classification of mixture as result of filtration
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Annotation 5
Explains in detail how a physical effect involving light can be used to test the effectiveness of the procedure

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Annotation 1
Describes step-by-step procedure of filter preparation
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Records observations during separate trials in tabulated form
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Describes in detail how experimental design was modified including reasoning for each change

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Gives detailed observations of results after modification
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Displays photographs with captions to illustrate experimental setup

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Annotation 1
Uses scientific reasoning to explain observations
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Explains why experiment was not a fair test and how this limits insights that can be gained
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Annotation 3
Recognises and analyses a design flaw of the filter
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Annotation 4
Uses scientific reasoning to justify a proposed improvement to the design
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Annotation 5
Uses evidence to support conclusion
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Annotation 6
Suggests improvement to method including additional steps to guarantee safe potability