Science Task Prescreen
Task Title: Bioluminescent Bay: Energy Transfers in Puerto Rico Grade: High School Date: 2024-05-20 SEP: Developing and Using Models DCI: PS3.A: Definitions of Energy CCC: Energy and Matter Task Purpose: Determining whether students can apply what they have learned to model energy transformations from macroscopic kinetic energy to microscopic energy.
Prescreen Questionnaire
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Is there a phenomenon or problem driving the task? | [x] | [ ] 🚩 |
| 2. Can the majority of the task be answered without using information provided by the task scenario? | [ ] 🚩 | [x] |
| 3. Can significant portions of the task be answered successfully by using rote knowledge (e.g., definitions, prescriptive or memorized procedure)? | [ ] 🚩 | [x] |
| 4. Does the majority of the task require students to use reasoning to successfully complete the task? | [x] | [ ] 🚩 |
| 5. Does the task require students to use some understanding of disciplinary core ideas to successfully complete the task? | [x] | [ ] 🚩 |
| 6. Do students have to use at least one science and engineering practice to successfully complete the task? | [x] | [ ] 🚩 |
| 7. Are the dimensions assessed separately in the majority of the task? | [ ] 🚩 | [x] |
| 8. Is the task coherent and comprehensible from the student perspective? | [x] | [ ] 🚩 |
Recommendation
- Warrants further review.
- Should not be used.
Summary
Summarize your evidence and reasoning: The task is driven by the phenomenon of Mosquito Bay’s bioluminescence. Students must use the simulation to observe the effect of macroscopic kinetic energy (boat speed) on microscopic light emission. They are required to use reasoning to trace the energy transfer and use the practice of modeling to show how macroscopic energy transforms into microscopic energy and light, integrating the DCI (PS3.A) and CCC (Energy and Matter). There are no major red flags.