Lesson at a Glance | He Tirohanga Whakamua
Ngā Whāinga Ako | Learning Intentions
Students will know
- That an Level 1 Science conclusion must state the relationship between IV and DV using specific numerical evidence.
- How to calculate percentage change to strengthen data claims (e.g. "a 90.7% decrease in mean bubble count").
- How to explicitly evaluate whether the empirical data supports or refutes the initial Lesson 2 hypothesis.
Students will demonstrate
- By writing a quantified conclusion supported by numbers, units, and percentage calculations.
- By completing Section 7 of their Level 1 Science Biological Investigation Logbook.
Curriculum alignment
- NZC (2007) · Science · Level 6 · Nature of Science: “Understand that scientists’ investigations are informed by current scientific theories and aim to collect evidence that will be interpreted through processes of logical argument.”
Do Now | Tīmatanga Whakaaro (10 min)
NCEA Conclusion Grade Prompt:
"Student A writes: 'As lamp distance increased, bubbles decreased.' Student B writes: 'As lamp distance increased from 10cm to 50cm, mean bubble production decreased from 14.0 to 1.3 bubbles/2min, a 90.7% drop.' Which student earns Merit?"
Unpack: Student A gets Achieved at best. Student B earns Merit/Excellence because they cite exact numerical data for the minimum and maximum IV levels and quantify the magnitude of the trend.
3 Requirements of a Merit/Excellence Conclusion (15 min)
Clearly describe the relationship between IV and DV (e.g. inverse linear relationship, bell curve, or plateau).
Include starting IV/DV values, ending IV/DV values, units, and percentage change calculation.
Go back to the prediction you wrote in Lesson 2 and say plainly whether the data supports or refutes it: "This data supports / refutes my initial hypothesis that…" A conclusion that reports a trend but never returns to the hypothesis is the most common reason an otherwise sound investigation stalls below Merit.
📁 Biological Investigation Logbook — Section 7: Quantified Conclusion
Students open their Level 1 Science Logbook and complete Section 7:
Section 7 Requirements:
1. Overall Trend Statement: State the mathematical/biological relationship shown on your Lesson 6 graph.
2. Numerical Evidence: Cite at least 2 specific IV levels and their corresponding processed mean values with correct units.
3. Percentage Calculation: Calculate the percentage change between your min and max IV conditions.
4. Hypothesis Evaluation: State clearly: "This data [supports / refutes] my initial hypothesis that..."
Exit Verification | Ka Mutu Hoki (5 min)
Exit Check:
"My conclusion in Section 7 contains 2 exact numerical data points, a percentage change calculation, and an explicit hypothesis evaluation."
Teacher Planning & NCEA Alignment
NCEA Level 1 Science Alignment (4 Credits):
- Conclusion: Write a conclusion based on processed data that relates directly to the purpose of the investigation.
- Merit Standard: Include quantified numerical evidence to support the conclusion.
Vocabulary: Quantified conclusion, trend statement, percentage change, empirical evidence, hypothesis evaluation.
Other teaching approach: Guided Viewing & Practical Investigation →