Learning Task Design for Science KLA

Chow Kai Yin

Maryknoll Fathers’ School

Example: Go Up, Stay High (GUSH)Science Design Project

• Design a flight device and a launcher

• Judge by the time that the flight device stays in air

• Restrictions:– height not exceeding 5 m– maximum mass of flight device is 0.3 kg– no chemical or electrical device

Stages

1. Preliminary design and preparation

6 weeks • KF (discussion)

2. Prototype production and trial flights

2 weeks • Making the device• KF (discussion)• Semi-final contest

3. Modifying and testing of the product

2 weeks • Refining the device• KF (discussion)• Final contest

Problem of the week for KF discussion

Week 1 Launching mechanisms and launching principles

Week 2 What determines the time taken for an object to reach the top of its flight?

What determines the time for an object to fall to the ground?

Week 3 How can one ensure the object will fall back to the same location

Week 4 Design rocket and launcher to maximize the height

Week 5 Design features of the rocket to maximize the fall time

Week 6 Fabricate the model during the Easter holiday

Semi-final

AssessmentContribution toKF discussion• Notes• Reflection journals

by peers

by teachers

Formative assessment

Design of flight device and launcher

by peers

by teachers

Summative

assessment

Report by teachers Summative assessment

Rubrics: Technical Design

Characteristics of project (1)

• Variety of activities– Classroom discussion– Knowledge Forum– Hands-on experience– Indoors and outdoors

Characteristics of project (2)

• Progressive stages– Talk > write and draw > work things out– Trial > adjustment > trial– In-school > inter-school– Semi-final > final

Characteristics of project (3)

• Knowledge advancement– “Build on”

• Build one’s knowledge on– Own idea– Others’ ideas– Facts and existing knowledge from references– Experience/experiments (Investigation)

– Developing higher order thinking– Applying generic skills

Characteristics of project (4)

• Collaboration– Peer cooperation– Peer assessment

• Polling on awards: knowledge advancement, explanation, advice, etc

Characteristics of project (5)

• Appropriate time span– March to May (3 months)– Time to nourish students’ interest and in-

depth participation– Possible stages of events

Room for improvement

• Clear objectives

• Rubrics

• Progressive stages

• More feedback to students

Q & A

Thank you!!