Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
Due Sunday 15th August (Term 3 Week
4) 5pm Submit Through Daymap
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Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
Performance Standards for Stage 2 Physics
Investigation, Analysis, and Evaluation Knowledge and Application
A
Critically deconstructs a problem and designs a logical,
coherent, and detailed physics investigation.
Obtains, records, and represents data, using
appropriate conventions and formats accurately and
highly effectively.
Systematically analyses and interprets data and
evidence to formulate logical conclusions with detailed
justification.
Critically and logically evaluates procedures and their
effect on data.
Demonstrates deep and
oad knowledge and understanding of a
ange of physics concepts.
Applies physics concepts highly effectively in new and familiar
contexts.
Critically explores and understands in depth the interaction
etween science and society.
Communicates knowledge and understanding of physics
coherently, with highly effective use of appropriate terms,
conventions, and representations.
B
Logically deconstructs a problem and designs a well-
considered and clear physics investigation.
Obtains, records, and represents data, using
appropriate conventions and formats mostly
accurately and effectively.
Logically analyses and interprets data and evidence to
formulate suitable conclusions with reasonable
justification.
Logically evaluates procedures and their effect on
data.
Demonstrates some depth and
eadth of knowledge and
understanding of a range of physics concepts.
Applies physics concepts mostly effectively in new and familiar
contexts.
Logically explores and understands in some depth the interaction
etween science and society.
Communicates knowledge and understanding of physics mostly
coherently, with effective use of appropriate terms, conventions,
and representations.
C
Deconstructs a problem and designs a considered and
generally clear physics investigation.
Obtains, records, and represents data, using generally
appropriate conventions and formats, with some
e
ors but generally accurately and effectively.
Undertakes some analysis and interpretation of data
and evidence to formulate generally appropriate
conclusions with some justification.
Evaluates procedures and some of their effect on data.
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of a general range of
physics concepts.
Applies physics concepts generally effectively in new or familiar
contexts.
Explores and understands aspects of the interaction between
science and society.
Communicates knowledge and understanding of physics generally
effectively, using some appropriate terms, conventions, and
epresentations.
D
Prepares a basic deconstruction of a problem and an
outline of a physics investigation.
Obtains, records, and represents data, using
conventions and formats inconsistently, with
occasional accuracy and effectiveness.
Describes data and undertakes some basic
interpretation to formulate a basic conclusion.
Attempts to evaluate procedures or suggest an effect
on data.
Demonstrates some basic knowledge and partial understanding of
physics concepts.
Applies some physics concepts in familiar contexts.
Partially explores and recognises aspects of the interaction
etween science and society.
Communicates basic physics information, using some appropriate
terms, conventions, and/or representations.
E
Attempts a simple deconstruction of a problem and a
procedure for a physics investigation.
Attempts to record and represent some data, with
limited accuracy or effectiveness.
Attempts to describe results and/or interpret data to
formulate a basic conclusion.
Acknowledges that procedures affect data.
Demonstrates limited recognition and awareness of physics
concepts.
Attempts to apply physics concepts in familiar contexts.
Attempts to explore and identify an aspect of the interaction
etween science and society.
Attempts to communicate information about physics.
I IAE1 IAE2 IAE3 IAE4 KA1 KA2 KA3 KA4
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Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
Task Outline
Students investigate a contemporary example of how science interacts with society. This may
focus on one or more of the key applications of science as a human endeavour described
throughout the course outline, or any other application that connects to the topics covered
in Stage 2 Physics.
You are to select and explore a recent discovery, innovation, issue, or advancement linked to
one of the topics in Physics. You will then need to analyse and synthesize information from
different sources to explain the science relevant to the focus of the investigation, show its
connections to science as a human endeavour, and develop and justify your own conclusions.
Possible starting points for the investigation could include, for example:
• the announcement of a discovery in the field of physics
• an expert’s point of view on a controversial innovation
• a TED talk based on a development in physics
• an article from a scientific publication (e.g. Cosmos)
• public concern about an issue that has environmental, social, economic, or political
implications
• changes in government funding for physics-related purposes, e.g. for scientific
esearch into decommissioned satellites and spent rocket stages, various forms of
medical imaging, quantum computers and extremely high data transfer, ring laser
guidance systems and their application for accurate aircraft navigation, use of nuclear
isotopes for industrial or medical applications, monitoring changes in global
temperature
• ‘blue sky’ research leading to new technologies.
Why Do We Look at Science as a Human Endeavour?
The science as a human endeavour strand highlights science as a way of knowing and doing,
and explores the purpose, use, and influence of science in society.
By exploring science as a human endeavour, students develop and apply their understanding
of the complex ways in which science interacts with society and investigate the dynamic
nature of physics. They explore how physicists develop new understanding and insights and
produce innovative solutions to everyday and complex problems and challenges in local,
national, and global contexts. In this way, students are encouraged to think scientifically and
make connections between the work of others and their own learning. This enables them to
explore their own solutions to cu
ent and future problems and challenges.
Students understand that the development of science concepts, models, and theories is a
dynamic process that involves analysis of evidence and sometimes produces ambiguity and
uncertainty. They consider how and why science concepts, models, and theories are
continually reviewed and reassessed as new evidence is obtained, and as emerging
technologies enable new avenues of investigation. They understand that scientific
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Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
advancement involves a diverse range of individual scientists and teams of scientists working
within an increasingly global community of practice.
Students explore how scientific progress and discoveries are influenced and shaped by a wide
ange of social, economic, ethical, and cultural factors. They investigate ways in which the
application of science may provide great benefits to individuals, the community, and the
environment, but may also pose risks and have unexpected outcomes. They understand how
decision-making about socio-scientific issues often involves consideration of multiple lines of
evidence and a range of needs and values. As critical thinkers, they appreciate science as an
ever-evolving body of knowledge that frequently informs public debate but is not always able
to provide definitive answers.
The key concepts of science as a human endeavour underpin the contexts, approaches, and
activities in this subject, and must be integrated into all teaching and learning programs.
Science informs public debate and is in turn influenced by public debate; at times, there may
e complex, unanticipated variables or insufficient data that may limit possible conclusions.
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Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
Key Concepts of Science as a Human Endeavour
The key concepts of science as a human endeavour in the study of Physics are:
Communication and Collaboration
• Science is a global enterprise that relies on clear communication, international
conventions, and review and verification of results.
• Collaboration between scientists, governments, and other agencies is often required
in scientific research and enterprise.
Development
• Development of complex scientific models and/or theories often requires a wide
ange of evidence from many sources and across disciplines.
• New technologies improve the efficiency of scientific procedures and data collection
and analysis. This can reveal new evidence that may modify or replace models,
theories, and processes.
Influence
• Advances in scientific understanding in one field can influence and be influenced by
other areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• The acceptance and use of scientific knowledge can be influenced by social, economic,
cultural, and ethical considerations.
Application and Limitation
• Scientific knowledge, understanding, and inquiry can enable scientists to develop
solutions, make discoveries, design action for sustainability, evaluate economic,
social, cultural, and environmental impacts, offer valid explanations, and make
eliable predictions.
• The use of scientific knowledge may have beneficial or unexpected consequences; this
equires monitoring, assessment, and evaluation of risk, and provides opportunities
for innovation.
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Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
Assessment Submission Information
Based on your investigation, you will need to prepare a scientific report, which must include
the use of scientific terminology and:
• an introduction to identify the focus of the investigation and the key concept(s) of
science as a human endeavour that it links to
• relevant physics concepts or background
• an explanation of how the focus of the investigation illustrates the interaction
etween science and society
• a discussion of the purpose, potential impact, or application of the focus of the
investigation, e.g. further development, effect on quality of life, environmental
implications, economic impact, intrinsic interest
• a conclusion
• citations and referencing.
The scientific report should be a maximum of 1500 words if written, or a maximum of 10
minutes for an oral presentation, or the equivalent in multimodal form.
This report could take the form of, for example:
• an article for a scientific publication
• an oral or multimodal scientific presentation.
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Stage 2 Physics
Science as a Human Endeavour Task
Checklist for Students When