Student Assessment Task
Subject Science Subject Teacher Mini Vithayathil
Year Level 10 Due Date
Task Name Issue Investigation Essay
Background Information
Only a few decades ago, antibiotics were considered to be wonder drugs because they worked so well to cure
deadly diseases. Ironically, though, many antibiotics have become less effective, because they have been used
so often. The golden age of antibiotics proved to be a short-lived one. Today, infectious bacteria are much
harder to control than their predecessors were ten or twenty years ago. In the battle against infectious disease,
humankind has inadvertently given rise to deadly enemies and caused to generate a medical arms race. The bad
news is that bacteria -- with their fast doubling times and ability to swap genes like trading cards -- evolve
quickly. The good news is that in the 150 years since Darwin, we have grown to understand the rules of the
race. But can we win this war?
Statement of Inquiry
Evolution of Superbugs – what will save us now?
Task Description
Write an investigative essay to demonstrate your understanding on natural selection and the evolution of
superbugs identifying why it is an issue and by including 2 arguments for & against the use of antibiotics
supported by scientific evidence
Success Criteria
Students will be
able to state what antibacterial resistance is.
able to state how superbugs (highly antibiotic resistant bacteria) develop.
able to link the development of superbugs to the theory of natural selection.
able to state specific strategies for delaying or stopping even more widespread evolution of antibiotic
resistance.
Assessment
See Rubric below
Support materials provided to complete the task:
Scaffolded design, with explicit steps to follow
A word limit of at least 750 words is expected and the use of the Harvard referencing system is
required.
Due date: Please submit your Issue investigation essay on or before …………………at 11 pm.
Student Assessment Task
Year 10 Biology
Investigative Essay Additional information/ Checklist
Essay needs to include an introduction, biological background, Checklist
statements identifying why evolution of superbugs is a problem,
arguments for and arguments against the use of antibiotics supported
by scientific evidence and understanding, scientific statements and Yes
suggestions to prevent the evolution of superbugs and a conclusion
Issue introduced
-Clearly outlines the issue
Biological background
Explains the biological background of the issue
state what antibacterial resistance is
state how superbugs (highly antibiotic resistant
bacteria) develop.
link the development of superbugs to the theory of
evolution by natural selection.
Identify why evolution of superbugs is a problem
Arguments for the use of antibiotics
-Arguments from resources with supporting evidence
Arguments against the use of antibiotics
- Arguments from resources with supporting evidence
Scientific statements and suggestions to prevent the evolution of
superbugs
- statements & suggestions needs to be made based on scientific
understanding
Conclusion
Summarises the information
Evidence of research- Bibliography
At least 4 different sources.
- Harvard referencing
Student Assessment Task
Scaffolding tool for your Investigative Essay
Issue introduced Arguments for the use of antibiotics Scientific statements and suggestions to
prevent the evolution of superbugs
-Clearly outlines the issue Write 2 Arguments from resources (statements & suggestions needs to be
made based on scientific understanding)
Evidence:
Biological background Arguments against the use of antibiotics Conclusion
state what antibacterial resistance is
Write 2 Arguments from resources Summarises the information
state how superbugs (highly antibiotic
resistant bacteria) develop.
link the development of superbugs to the
theory of evolution by natural selection. Evidence:
Identify why evolution of superbugs is a
problem
Student Assessment Task
Issues investigation Assessment Rubric
Science Understanding Science as a Human Science Inquiry skills
Endeavour Understanding
Explain the biological Arguments for and against Scientific language used in a suitable
background of the issue the use of antibiotics with representation of research.
by linking back to the supporting evidence Four references are used in Harvard
theory of evolution by Scientific statements and referencing format
natural selection suggestions on how to
prevent the evolution of
superbugs
A Demonstrates deep and Critically explores and Information collected is used
broad knowledge and understands in depth the comprehensively to produce scientifically
understanding of a range of interaction between science robust theories, explanations, and
biological concepts. and society. Scientific solutions. Communicates knowledge and
Comprehensively and knowledge is used to understanding of biology coherently, with
accurately describes the comprehensively explain the highly effective use of appropriate terms,
biological background of the arguments made for and conventions, and representations.
issue by linking back to the against the use of antibiotics
theory of evolution by with supportive evidence Appropriately acknowledges information
natural selection. about the issue from at least 4 different
sources
B Demonstrates some depth Logically explores and Information collected is used to produce
and breadth of knowledge understands in some depth the some scientifically robust theories,
and understanding of a range interaction between science explanations and solutions.
of biological concepts. The and society. Some scientific Communicates knowledge and
student describes the knowledge is used to explain understanding of biology mostly
biological background of the the arguments made for and coherently, with effective use of
issue by linking back to the against the use of antibiotics appropriate terms, conventions, and
theory of evolution by with supportive evidence representations.
natural selection.
Appropriately acknowledges information
about the issue from at least 3 different
sources
C Demonstrates knowledge Explores and understands Some Information is used to produce
and understanding of a aspects of the interaction scientific explanations. Communicates
general range of biological between science and society. knowledge and understanding of biology
concepts. The student Scientific information is used generally effectively, using some
describes, mostly accurately, to partially explain the appropriate terms, conventions, and
the biological background of arguments made for and representations.
the issue by linking back to against the use of antibiotics
the theory of evolution by with some supportive evidence Provides a bibliography with at least 3
natural selection. appropriate sources.
D Demonstrates some basic Partially explores and Limited Information is used to produce
knowledge and partial recognises aspects of the scientific explanations
understanding of biological interaction between science
Student Assessment Task
concepts. The student states, and society. Scientific Communicates basic biological
with some accuracy, the information is used to partially information, using some appropriate
biological background of the explain either the arguments terms, conventions, and/or
issue by linking back to the for or against the use of representations.
theory of evolution by antibiotics with limited
natural selection. supportive evidence Provides a bibliography but doesn’t cite
appropriately
E Demonstrates limited Attempts to explore and No scientific information is used to
recognition and awareness of identify an aspect of the produce explanations.
biological concepts. The interaction between science
student attempted to state the and society. Student attempts Attempts to communicate information
biological background of the to use scientific information to about biology.
issue by linking back to the explain the arguments for or No bibliography provided
theory of evolution by against the use of antibiotics
natural selection. with limited supportive
evidence.
