CONDELL PARK HIGH SCHOOL

ASSESSMENT TASK NOTIFICATION

Course: Year 9 Science Year 9

Topic Legos of Life Task number 1

Assessment
DNA Model Making Task and Skills Test
Name

Date Due Thursday 7th March 2024 (Week 6 Term 1) Weighting: 25%

Task Information
Important Students use their knowledge of DNA and content from the Periodic Table to first make a
idea(s) being labelled model of the structure of DNA. They will then answer a series of questions from given
explored: source material in an in-class skills test. All source material will be provided for the skills test
and questions will be testing scientific thinking skills

Build an accurate labelled model of the structure of a DNA molecule, including a key. Some
materials will be provided in class but higher marks will be awarded for the creativity of the
Task outline: model.The skills test will involve answering questions from source materials and using your
scientific thinking skills to process and analyse information. The test will be worth a total of 30
marks.

Specific The DNA model is to be submitted to the class teacher on the due date.Students are to answer
Requirements all questions in the skills test in the allotted class time.
:

SC5-8WS – A student applies scientific understanding and critical thinking skills to suggest
possible solutions to identified problems
Syllabus
Outcomes: SC5-9WS - A student presents science ideas and evidence for a particular purpose and to a
specific audience, using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations

SC5-CW2 The atomic structure and properties of elements are used to organise them in the
Periodic Table.

SC5-14LW – A student analyses interactions between components and processes within

biological systems

SC5-15LW – A student explains how biological understanding has advanced through scientific
discoveries, technological developments and the needs of society

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 Year 9 Science Assessment Task 1 – DNA
Due Date: Model – Thursday Week 6 , 7th of March

Test – Thursday Week 6, 7th of March

Weighting: Total 25%

Communicating Scientifically 10%

Thinking Scientifically 15%

Key concept/idea:

 To design and make a model of the Watson-Crick model of (DNA)

deoxyribonucleic
 To explain the model of DNA created and discuss the advantages and
limitations of the model
 Analyse data related to DNA testing
Outcomes:

SC5-7WS - A student processes, analyses and evaluates data from first-hand investigations
and secondary sources to develop evidence-based arguments and conclusions
SC5-8WS – A student applies scientific understanding and critical thinking skills to suggest
possible solutions to identified problems

SC5-9WS - A student presents science ideas and evidence for a particular purpose and to a
specific audience, using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations

SC5-14LW – A student analyses interactions between components and processes within

biological systems

SC5-15LW – A student explains how biological understanding has advanced through scientific
discoveries, technological developments and the needs of society
Context:
Our society today uses our knowledge of DNA to solve crimes, treat
diseases, match parents to their children and improve our food and
animal resources through genetic modification, just to name a few. The
structure of a DNA molecule is crucial to all of these areas.

You will do this in two parts:

Part 1: Model Making Task

A – Constructing a model of DNA (Group)
B – Explain your model in writing (Group)
Part 2 – DNA Scientific Thinking Skills Test (Individual)

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 Part 1
PART 1 - Group work

A - Make a model of DNA

What to do?

1. Before you make your model you need to conduct Research about the aspects of DNA.
A research scaffold is provided at the end to help you.

2. Once you have a detailed plan of what your model will look like. Collect the materials needed.
You need to bring materials from home to construct the model. (E.g. use clay, foam, pipe cleaners,
straws, etc).

3. As a group make the model of DNA safely.

4. Use the following guidelines to help you with your model:

 Two strands are present and are coiled into a spiral (a double helix)
 The backbone contains a phosphate group and a sugar group
 There is a ladder in the middle of the molecule and the rungs in the ladder are made up of
bases
 Each base is paired to its corresponding base
 The four bases are differentiated between
 There is variation in the base pairing as you move down the ladder
 Include all the necessary labels (and a key)
E.g. Use a variety of colours to differentiate between the nucleotides and the backbone of
the model and use a key to label each part
 Models shows a lot of creativity – using a variety of and colours and is visually attractive
 The model should be complex and use variety of relevant materials are used
 Your model should be durable enough to be transported to school (or from room to room)
 Your model can be either a 2-dimensional or a 3-dimensional object, but needs to be an
accurate representation of DNA.
 Your model should show complex features such as mutation and replication.

B: Written explanation of the model

You will also submit a written section to explain your model. This is to be attached to your model when
submitting to your teacher.

Use the table on the next page to help you with your explanation:

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 Title: DNA Module Report Names in Group: Emmanuel Kekere, Issam Jabakanji

1. Use the table below to explain what the different parts of your model are and how they represent the
structure of a DNA molecule.

You must attach this table to your model when submitting for marking.

Part of the DNA Material used for construction What does this part of the model
model represent about DNA?

Nitrogeneous Popsicle Sticks The genetic code

Bases

Sugar-Phosphate Red and Blue balls Is the backbone of dna

Double Helix (constructed along with red and blue balls The forming of the dna structure and
and popsicle sticks; no the pairing of the nitrogeneous bases
distinguishing/obvious outline for it) such as Adenine and Thymine, etc.

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Marking Guidelines
Students: Marks

SC5-WS7: processes, analyses and evaluates data from first-hand investigations and secondary sources to develop
evidence-based arguments and conclusions

SC5-WS9: presents science ideas and evidence for a particular purpose and to a specific audience, using appropriate
scientific language, conventions and representations

Processing and analysing data and information

 Model shows creativity using a variety of materials and is visually attractive. A (13-15)
 Correctly shows the structure of a DNA molecule, including: double helix structure, sugar-
phosphate backbone, clear differentiation of the four bases, correct base pairings.
 Correctly shows complex features such as mutations and replication.
 Team members work together in a collaborative manner, showing team work and manage
time and resources well

 Model shows creativity using a variety of materials and is visually attractive. B (10-12)
 Correctly shows the structure of a DNA molecule, including: double helix structure, sugar-
phosphate backbone, clear differentiation of the four bases, correct base pairings.
 Team members work together in a collaborative manner, showing team work and manage
time and resources well
Commincating Scientifically

 Model shows adequate creativity using a small number of materials and is somewhat C (7-9)
visually attractive.
 Shows some of the structural features of a DNA molecule, but is missing more than one of
the following : double helix structure, sugar-phosphate backbone, clear differentiation of
the four bases, correct base pairings.
 Team members work together in a somewhat collaborative manner, showing some team
work and time management skills

 Model shows limited creativity using a small number of materials and is not visually D (4-6)
attractive.
 Shows some of the structural features of a DNA molecule, but is missing 1-2 of : double
helix structure, sugar-phosphate backbone, clear differentiation of the four bases correct
base pairings.
 Team members work together in a somewhat collaborative manner, showing some team
work and time management skills

 Model shows severely limited creativity using a small number of materials and is not E (0-3)
visually attractive.
 Shows some of the structural features of a DNA molecule, but is missing most of : double
helix structure, sugar-phosphate backbone, clear differentiation of the four bases correct
base pairings.
 Team members do not work together in a collaborative manner, showing minimal team
work and time management skills

Communicating

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  Labels of model are clearly identified A (5)
 Materials appropriately chosen for the model
 Written explanation clearly links materials chosen to the part of the model it represents

 The above points are completed adequately B (3-4)

 The above points are completed with limitations C (2)

 The above points are completed with severe limitations D (1)

 No, or extremely limited completion of the above points E (0)

Total Marks for Part 1 (Communicating Scientifically): /20

Total Marks:
PART 1 (Model)
/20
Communicating Scientifically
PART 2 (Test)
Thinking Scientifically /30

TOTAL /50

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Planning sheet for part A (model making)

Names of group members:______________________________________

Check list (please tick appropriate box)

Our group is making:

a 2D model of DNA

a 3D model of DNA

a computer simulation

Our group is going to make (please tick only one box):

a simple model of DNA only

an extended model of DNA which also shows replication

an extended model of DNA which also shows mutations

an extended model of DNA which shows mutations during replication

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Aspects of DNA Research Scaffold:
What is DNA?

Describe the structure of DNA

Draw a labelled diagram

showing the structure of DNA

What materials will you need to

make your model?

How will you label the different

parts of your model?

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Complex features of DNA – Replication and Mutation
What is replication?

What is a mutation?

How do they occur?

Draw a labelled diagram showing

the replication and mutation.

What additional materials will you

need to make your model?

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