Topic: Artificial Selection Date Released:

Assessment Type: Investigation Task Checkpoint Date/s:

Weighting: Final Due Date:

Task Overview About the Task

In selected representation, students are to:

● Explain artificial selection
● Describe how artificial selection has been used to develop staple crops using the
example of wild mustard into cabbage, broccoli, etc.
● Evaluate how the selection of these crops has been useful for human society and
what problems have arisen from the development and reliance on staple crops.

Requirements and Format:

Word Count /Length 750 words (+/- 100 words)

Format/Text Type Suitable visual medium (with supporting diagrams)

Components (If applicable)

Assessment Criteria Task Specific Clarification

What you will be assessed on To meet the level descriptors make sure you:
Consistently demonstrates a thorough
● Explanation of artificial selection and analysis of the usefulness of staple crops
knowledge and understanding of content,
key ideas and concepts in new contexts.
Critically and logically selects ● References are from a range of relevant and reliable sources
resources.
Consistently and appropriately ● Uses MS Word in-text referencing
acknowledges information from a ● Uses a properly formatted bibliography/reference list
range of sources.

Australian Curriculum
Band Descriptor
Science Understanding (Biological Sciences)
Science Inquiry Skills (Communicating, Processing & Analysing)

The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of
scientific evidence (ACSSU185).

Content Descriptor
Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of
review by the scientific community (ACSHE191).
Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based
arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations (ACSIS208).

Evaluate the evidence for scientific theories that explain the origin of the universe and the diversity of life on Earth.
Achievement Standard Construct evidence based arguments and select appropriate representations and text types to communicate science
ideas for specific purposes.
 Communication Assignment: Evidence of the Theory of Evolution

In class we have covered the process of artificial selection (by looking at the evolution of
dogs from wolves due to human selection). You are to look at the development of different
staple crops from two wild plant ancestors using an artificial selection pathway: wild
mustard → cabbage, broccoli etc.

You are to demonstrate your scientific knowledge and understanding of artificial selection. To communicate
this knowledge and understanding, you are to create a representation connecting artificial selection to the
development of staple crops. Representations can include:
● an infographic
● a poster
● a video
● a cartoon or comic strip
● a negotiated alternative

Your representation must include the following:

1. Introduction
a. Briefly explain artificial selection.
b. Briefly list some of the ways that humans have used artificial selection
2. Evidence for Evolution
a. Describe the staple crop pathway for wild mustard to cabbage, broccoli etc.
b. Explain the changes and how they were selected for and how this demonstrates artificial
selection.
3. Evaluate the Evidence
a. Evaluate the evidence.
i. Describe how the selection for these crops been useful to human society. (Why
are staple crops important?)
ii. Describe what problems have arisen from the development of these staple crops.
4. Diagrams
a. Include relevant diagrams – a picture is worth a thousand words!
i. Diagram must be referred to in the text of your representation (e.g. “see diagram 2”)
5. References
a. All sources must be referenced (including diagrams).
b. In text referencing or footnote – Use MSWord in-text referencing tool, or online alternative.

Due Date: Xxxxday XX/6/2020

REC Science Assessment Rubric – Evidence for Evolution

 Science Inquiry Analysis and Science as a Human Knowledge and
Evaluation Endeavour Understanding

Designs logical, coherent, Analyses and interprets data Thoroughly Consistently

A and/or evidence at a very high
and detailed science level to formulate logical explores and demonstrates a
investigations. conclusions with detailed understands the thorough knowledge
justification.
Critically and logically interaction and understanding
selects resources. Evaluates procedures at a very between science of content, key
high level and suggests a range and society. ideas and concepts
Consistently and
of appropriate improvements. in new contexts.
appropriately acknowledges
information from a range of
sources.
Obtains, records, and
displays results using
appropriate formats
accurately and highly
effectively.
B Designs well-considered Analyses and interprets data A high level of Demonstrates an
and/or evidence at a high
and clear science level to formulate suitable understanding of extensive
investigations. conclusions with reasonable the interaction knowledge and
justification.
Logically selects between science understanding of
Evaluates procedures at a high and society. a range of the
resources. Appropriately level and suggests some content, key ideas
acknowledges appropriate improvements. and concepts in
information from different
sources. some new
contexts.
Obtains, records, and
displays findings of
investigations using
appropriate conventions
and formats mostly
accurately and effectively.
Designs considered Analyses and interprets data A satisfactory Demonstrates
C and/or evidence at an
and generally clear expected level to formulate understanding of satisfactory
science generally appropriate the interaction knowledge and
conclusions with some
investigations. justification. between science understanding
Selects resources with and society. of the content,
Evaluates procedures at an
some focus. key ideas and
expected level and suggests
concepts in
Mostly appropriately some appropriate
familiar
acknowledges from improvements that are
contexts.
different sources. generally appropriate.
Obtains, records, and
displays findings of
investigations using
generally appropriate
conventions and formats
with some errors but
generally accurately and
effectively.
D Prepares the outline of one Describes data and Limited Demonstrates basic
undertakes some basic
or more science interpretation to formulate a understanding of knowledge and
investigations. basic conclusion. the interaction understanding of the
Evaluates some procedures at between science content, key ideas
Selects resources. a limited level and identifies and society. and concepts in
Partly acknowledge one improvements that may be
made. familiar contexts.
or more sources of
information.
Obtains, records, and
displays findings of
investigations using
conventions and formats
inconsistently, with
occasional accuracy and
effectiveness.
E Identifies a simple Attempts to describe results Very limited Demonstrates very
and/or interpret data to
procedure for a science formulate a basic conclusion. understanding of basic knowledge in
investigation. Evaluates some the interaction a few areas of the
Identifies procedures at a very between science content, key ideas
resources. limited level and and society. and concepts in
acknowledges the need familiar contexts.
Limited attempt
for improvements in one
to
or more procedures.
acknowledge information.
Attempts to record and
display some descriptive
information about an
investigation, with limited
accuracy or effectiveness.