We are doing module C1 'Air quality'. Can you use secondary source data, such as from a website, for data analysis? Or must the data analysis exercise use primary data generated by the pupils themselves during a class practical?
Data Analysis activities must use primary data collected by the students themselves. This should be in the form of normal class practical work, with students collecting data in groups and (ideally) pooling it, so that they have more data for their Interpretation and Evaluation.
Can you suggest a good data analysis that we could run in one day? We will have our Y10s off timetable for a day to do science data analysis coursework. We have found that the dust collectors in module C1 take a couple of days to get results. We are hoping to complete this activity in one day. I've thought of adapting the old Sc1 'Enthalpy of combustion of alcohols' practical investigation. This gives some very reliable data.
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This is more difficult to answer. The activity you suggest would be suitable, but the scientific knowledge is outside the scope of the module. Obviously it is up to schools to manage skills assessment as they see fit. However, we'd hope that schools would carry out normal class practicals during the year, developing students' skills of data analysis, and then on one or more occasions assess the class. Having a day off timetable may be easier for the school to manage in the first year or two of the new courses. But routinely using this approach presents the activity as an add-on rather than skill development integral to everyday scientific understanding. In addition, it could lead to coaching students through the Data Analysis activity. Neither of these are in the spirit of the exercise.
