1. WORKSHOP FOR SCIENCE TEACHERS
October 17 and 18, 2013
Presenter: Dr. Marcia Rainford

2. Chemistry: Dr. Marcia Rainford and Ms. Norda
Stephenson
Biology: Mrs. Allison Peart and Mr. Rono Martin
Physics: Mr. Paul Bender

3. 


To sensitize teachers to the requirements for
planning and implementing the CSEC science
investigations
To examine ways for monitoring students’
progress as a part of the science school-based
assessment process
To create a shared understanding of the
possibilities for suitable science
investigations in physics, chemistry and
biology.

4. 
Questioning self:
 How do I view my responsibilities for the SBA
process?
▪ Significant
Important
Marginal
Negligible
 How do I view my responsibilities to the students?
▪ Instructor Observer
Guide
Critic

5. 



Individualises the curriculum to meet
students’ needs
Each skill must be assessed at least three
times over the two-year period.
Practical should be completed in the time
allotted for the class
Notebooks should be collected at the end of
the period.

6. 
The investigative project will be assessed for
 Planning and Design
 Analysis and Interpretation.

7. PROFILE
SKILLS
M&M
XS
ORR
YEAR 1
NTAS
MKS
1
1
10
10
YEAR 2
NTAS
MKS
2
20
2
20
TOTAL
NTAS
3
3
MKS
30
30
90
(30*)
P&D*
UK
2
20
1
10
3
30
A&I
2
20
1
20
3
40
12
(10*)
130 (40*)
TOTAL
6
60
6
NTAS - Number of Times for Assessing Skills
70
40

8. 
Students pursuing two or more of the single
science subjects may opt to carry out ONE
investigation* only from any of these
subjects.

The mark for the investigation is
transferrable

9. ASSESSMENT
OF CANDIDATE
PERFORMANCE
EXTERNAL
ASSESSMENT
PAPER 1
PAPER 2
INTERNAL
ASSESSMENT
SBA (including)
Science
Investigation

10. 
Long term planning for the development of
students’ investigative skills

Selection of suitable investigation projects

Ensure that students and parents understand
requirements for conducting investigations

11. 
Monitoring students’ choices

Building a culture of working with other
professionals

Maintaining assessment quality

12. Pros
Teachers can assess a
wider range of
achievement and can
assess process as
well as outcomes
Freedom from test
anxiety means that
assessment
Cons
Validity of teachers’
assessment depends
on opportunities
provided by school
work
Bureaucratic
moderation
procedures could
lead to assessment
only including safe
and routine
assessment activities
Implications for SBA
Practical work should
be aligned to content
being taught and so
be integrated into
teaching

13. Pros
With appropriate
training and
moderation
teachers’
assessment can
reach satisfactory
levels of
reliability
Cons
Teachers’
assessment is
often perceived
as being, and can
be unreliable and
biased due to
varying standards
being applied
Implications for
SBA
Use of common
mark schemes
Implement
standardization
exercises as
professional
development
activities to
ensure
consistency in use

14. Pros
Pupils’ learning time
is increased by using
classroom work
rather than tests to
assess progress
Cons
Responsibility for
summative
assessment can
increase workload of
teachers
process of
moderating can be
time-consuming
Training in the
interpretation and
use of assessment
criteria is needed.
Implications for SBA
School administrators
must demonstrate
greater sensitivity to
work load for teachers by
monitoring the number
of years 10 and 11
groups they allocate to
teachers.
Teachers should use the
opportunities to
participate in within
school CPD

15. 


The Council undertakes on-site moderation
of the SBA conducted by visiting external
Moderators.
The Moderator will make a first visit in Term 3
of Year 1.
Teachers must make available to the
Moderator ALL Assessment Sheets (Record
of Marks, Mark Schemes and the proposal for
the Investigation).

16. MARK
SCHEME
FEEDBACK
Laboratory
Activity
MARKING AND
GRADING
STANDARDIZATION

17. 




Scope and sequence for grade 10
Who provides the problems for the
investigations?
What are the minimum standards for
investigations? (consider implications for
resources)
When are these to be done and over what
period? – (consider time limits)
Where are the investigations to be done?