PALS: Tasks

Grades 9-12 Performance Tasks

The grades 9-12 performance tasks currently come from several sources: the Council of Chief State School Officers/State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards (CCSSO/SCASS), the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the RAND Institution (RAND), the Assessment of Performance Unit (APU), and the Oregon State Education Department (OSED).

Some tasks cover multiple content areas. All tasks include a Science as Inquiry component. The specific inquiry skills are displayed in the assessment chart for the task.

Major Content Area

Physical Science

Life Science

Earth and Space Science

Science and Technology

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

History and Nature of Science

Click on a task you want to browse, or select one or more tasks and click on "Show Chart For Selected Tasks" to view a chart of the selected tasks and the NSES standards they intend to meet.

Physical Science

Acid and Base

Acid-Base Titration (NYSED) Determine the concentration of an unknown solution.

Atoms

* Radioactive Decay (CCSSO) Investigate the concept of radioactive decay and half-life using a model system to simulate the process.

Classify

Classification in Action (KDE) Work with a set of objects to setup quantitative and qualitative classification systems.

Electricity

Electric Circuits (NYSED) Determine the power dissipated in the combination of two resistors connected in series to a 6 volt battery.

* Electrical Energy (CCSSO) Determine how well different wires radiate heat when voltage is applied across the wire.

Heat

* The Captain and Lake Wilmar (RAND) Examine the ecosystem of Lake Wilmar through three coordinated performance tasks.

Coffee Cooling (OSED) Investigate factors related to keeping coffee hot.

Cooling Liquid (OSED) Investigate the variables affecting the cooling of a container of liquid.

* How Effective is Perspiration at Cooling (NYSED) Collect data on the cooling of water in two different test tubes.

Keep It Hot (CAPT) Explore the insulating abilities of different materials for keeping a liquid in a paper cup warm.

Let the Sunshine In (KDE) Collect and analyze data and study wavelengths of visible light.

Radiation (RAND) Explore the relationship between color and heat absorption.

Survival (APU) Determine the best material from which to make a jacket to keep the body warm.

Mass and Density

* Boat Building (KDE) Design and construct a boat made out of aluminum foil.

Measurement

Deliver (APU) Measure the mass, volume, length and area of various objects.

Instrument (APU) Determine the mass, volume, length and area of various objects.

Motion and Forces

* A Cut Above the Rest (KDE) Apply the Law of Conservation of Energy to the design and use of scissors.

Exploring the MapleCopter (CSDOE ) Study the motion of maple seeds and design experiments to explain their spinning flight patterns.

Friction Force (OSED) Investigate friction force on an object.

Hooke's Law (NYSED) Design and carry out an experiment testing Hooke's Law that describes the relationship between the force applied to a spring and its elongation (stretch).

Speed and Collisions (CCSSO) Demonstrate the effect of speed on a collision .

Swinging (APU) Examine and modify a swinging apparatus.

Wig-wag (APU) Observe the effects various weights have on the movement of a wigwag apparatus.

Reactions

Catalase Enzyme (OSED) Test ideas about how to speed up or slow down the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

The Effectiveness of Antacids (KDE) Determine which antacids would be most effective for neutralizing acid.

Heating Crystals (APU) Examine the effects of heating on various crystals.

Hydrated Salt (NYSED) Plan, design, and carry out an experiment to determine an empirical formula for a hydrated salt X that will tell students when all the water has been removed from hydrate crystals.

Ice Cold (CAPT) Determine if one form of salt is better for melting ice on steps and sidewalks.

Paper Chromatography (CCSSO) Perform a simple paper chromatography experiment.

Rate of Solvation (CCSSO) Determine factors that affect the time it takes for a sugar cube to dissolve in water.

Snell's Law (NYSED) This task will determine whether the index of refraction of a sample of Corn Syrup meets Federal standards.

Soapy Water (CAPT) Explore the use of several substances in removing soap from water.

Vitamin C Testing (NYSED) Determine which of three beverage samples contains the most vitamin C.

Applied Science

Rain Drops (APU) Examine drops of water on several materials used on the outside of buildings.

[Top]

Life Science

Cells

Are Enzymes Specific for Their Substrates? (NYSED) Determine whether a certain enzyme is specific for one disaccharide.

Are Fruits and Vegetables Really Made of Cell? (NYSED) Determine whether a given fruit or vegetable is composed of cells.

Diffusion (NYSED) Design and carry out an experiment to test the effects of two variables (time and concentration) on diffusion of potassium permanganate into potato cubes.

Using the Microscope (NYSED) Demonstrate ability to use a compound light microscope through four procedures: preparing a slide, focusing on a slide under the microscope at both low and high power, and measuring the diameter of an onion cell and slide under 100X magnification.

Ecosystems

* The Captain and Lake Wilmar (RAND) Examine the ecosystem of Lake Wilmar through three coordinated performance tasks.

Seasonal Changes (NYSED) Examine wildflower data compiled from journals to determine patterns of seasonal growth.

Sow Bug Habitats (NYSED) Conduct an experiment to determine what type of environment sow bugs prefer.

Suburban Ecosystems (OSED) Conduct simple sampling of plant and insect biodiversity at ground level.

Physiology

Cardiovascular Homeostasis (OSED) Examine the feedback mechanism of homeostasis.

* How Effective is Perspiration at Cooling (NYSED) Collect data on the cooling of water in two different test tubes.

Testing a New Drug 1 (NYSED) Test a new experimental drug and write a report to send for committee approval.

Water Regulation (NYSED) Examine graphical data describing the behavior of paramecia under various conditions.

Traits

Ajax Seed Company (NYSED) Analyze the genetic characteristics of hypothetical seeds.

Anofasp (APU) Compare and contrast the visible structures of three insects based on photographs.

Here's Looking at You (KDE) Observe and analyze genetic data and use the data to predict outcomes.

Human Inheritance (NYSED) Use knowledge and understanding of classic Mendelian genetics.

Tadpoles (APU) Examine tadpoles at various stages of development.

[Top]

Earth and Space Science

Earth Processes

Globe_IT_ES1 (GLOBE) Earth Systems Investigation Test - Seasons - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_IT_ES2 (GLOBE) Earth Systems Investigation Test - Making Connections1 - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_IT_ES3 (GLOBE) Make Connections Investigation Test - Making Connections2 - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_IT_VIS1 (GLOBE) Visualizations Investigation Test - GLOBE Visualization Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ES1 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Densiometer1 - GLOBE EarthSystems Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ES2 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Clinometer1 - GLOBE EarthSystems Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ES3 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Compass1 - GLOBE EarthSystems Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ES4 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Clinometer2 - GLOBE EarthSystems Unit.

Globe_NCTM_ES1 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Clinometer1 - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_NCTM_ES2 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Clinometer2 - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_PT_ES1 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Densiometer - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_PT_ES2 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Clinometer - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Globe_PT_ES3 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Compass - GLOBE Earth Systems Unit.

Resources

Globe_IT_LC1 (GLOBE) Land Cover Investigation Test 1 - GLOBE Land Cover Unit.

Globe_IT_LC2 (GLOBE) Land Cover2 Investigation Test 2 - GLOBE Land Cover Unit.

Globe_NCTE_LC1 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Budding1 - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_NCTM_LC1 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Budding - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_NCTM_LC2 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Qualitative Cover1 - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_PT_LC1 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - MUC - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_PT_LC2 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Cluster - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_PT_LC3 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Field Study - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_PT_LC4 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Biometry - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Globe_PT_LC5 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Trees - GLOBE LandCover Unit".

Globe_PT_LC6 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - BioMass - GLOBE LandCover Unit.

Soil

* Car Wash (CAPT) Determine the most appropriate site for a car wash.

Globe_IT_S1 (GLOBE) Soils Investigation Test 1 - GLOBE Soils Units.

Globe_IT_S2 (GLOBE) Soils Investigation Test 2 - GLOBE Soils Unit.

Globe_NCTM_S1 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Soil Temperature - GLOBE Soils Unit.

Globe_NCTM_S2 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Soil Moisture - GLOBE Soils Unit.

Globe_PT_S1 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Soil Moisture - GLOBE Soils Unit.

Globe_PT_S2 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Soil Temperature - GLOBE Soils Unit.

Soiled Again (CAPT) Determine which earth materials (sand, potting soil or limestone) will best reduce the acidity of "acid rain."

Water-Holding Capacity (NYSED) This task will have students design a method to determine the water-holding capacity of sand, soil, and moss.

Water

Globe_IT_HY1 (GLOBE) Hydrology Investigation Test 1 - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Globe_IT_HY2 (GLOBE) Hydrology Investigation Test 2 - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Globe_NCTE_HY1 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Water pH - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Globe_NCTE_HY2 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Water Temperature - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Globe_NCTM_HY1 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Water Temperature - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Globe_PT_HY1 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Water pH - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Globe_PT_HY2 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Water Temperature - GLOBE Hydrology Unit.

Weather

* The Captain and Lake Wilmar (RAND) Examine the ecosystem of Lake Wilmar through three coordinated performance tasks.

Globe_IT_ATM1 (GLOBE) Atmosphere Investigation Test - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ATM1 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Rainfall - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ATM2 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Air Temperature - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_NCTE_ATM3 (GLOBE) NCTE Activity - Solid Precipitation - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_NCTM_ATM1 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Rainfall - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_NCTM_ATM2 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity Air Temperature - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_NCTM_ATM3 (GLOBE) NCTM Activity - Solid Precipitation - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_PT_ATM1 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Rainfall - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_PT_ATM2 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Precipitation - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

Globe_PT_ATM3 (GLOBE) Protocol Test - Air Temperature - GLOBE Atmosphere Unit.

[Top]

Science and Technology

Innovation

* Boat Building (KDE) Design and construct a boat made out of aluminum foil.

* A Cut Above the Rest (KDE) Apply the Law of Conservation of Energy to the design and use of scissors.

* Development of a Nutritional Snack (CCSSO) Develop a new line of nutritional products.

* Electrical Energy (CCSSO) Determine how well different wires radiate heat when voltage is applied across the wire.

Rate of Cooling Design (RAND ) Design an experiment to measure the insulation properties of different fabrics by immersing cans of water covered with fabric "socks" in an ice bath and measuring temperature changes.

Rate of Cooling Experiment (RAND ) Measure the insulation properties of different fabrics by immersing cans of water covered with fabric "socks" in an ice bath and measuring temperature changes.

That's the Way the Ball Bounces (KDE) Investigate and compare the bouncing ability of materials.

[Top]

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

Development

Old Problem - New Solutions (KDE) Evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of a large-scale project.

Hazards

Best Place in the United States to Live (KDE) Make a logical determination of the best place to live in the United States.

* The Captain and Lake Wilmar (RAND) Examine the ecosystem of Lake Wilmar through three coordinated performance tasks.

* Car Wash (CAPT) Determine the most appropriate site for a car wash.

Fishkill (NYSED) Explain the impact a change in temperature could have on the fish.

* Radioactive Decay (CCSSO) Investigate the concept of radioactive decay and half-life using a model system to simulate the process.

Health

* Development of a Nutritional Snack (CCSSO) Develop a new line of nutritional products.

The Nutritional Content of Food (CCSSO) Determine whether unknown foods contain protein and/or starch.

[Top]

History and Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge

Coat Caper (KDE) Make conclusions concerning the specific historical authenticity of the garment.

[Top]

* indicates that the task assesses student understanding of more than one content area.