Biology End-of-Course Exam Prep 2016

Overview Test Date: Tuesday June 7 7:50-11:00 am Must pass test to graduate Goals for prep sessions: Test format Biology content and vocabulary to know Strategies and Hints

Schedule Monday: Test format & start practice packet Tuesday/Wednesday: Debrief Practice packet and scoring Thursday/Friday: Receive an additional practice test and packet on Biology content and vocab

Test Format multiple choice items – p. 6-7, answer choices, 1 correct answer 1-4 completion items requiring you to fill in a number, word or short phrase p. 7 5 short answer items you complete with phrases or sentences. p. 11, 13, 19 Examples: – Write a conclusion – Write a procedure – Solve a design problem – describe aspects of biological systems

Test Format: Scenarios Includes a description, data table, diagram There are 4 types: 1. System ex. a plant; an ecosystem p. 8 Has inputs and outputs and processes that depend on each other. What happens when system is adjusted? 2.“Investigation” = a lab experiment where a students control the variables p. 13 question, materials, procedure, data, variables, repeated trials (reliability), conclusion

Test Format: Scenarios 3. Field Study = outdoor investigation of a variable not controlled by researcher p.14 – Description, diagram of study set-up, procedure, data table 4.Solve a Problem Using Technological Design Process (Application) Research & explore options/alternatives Propose a solution -- Describe 2 constraints & how they limit solution -- Describe 2 unintended consequences of solution

Lessons Learned From Scoring Student Work Do NOT be incomplete or vague: Bad example Good example

So what should I do? Be decisive and specific Give more information than you think you need to: cite (quote) data from the data table that represent the whole range of testing Know and clearly explain the relationships between the two variables ex: water temp vs. mass of algae

Lessons Learned Students don’t answer ALL parts of the question Often there are 2 or 3 things to do in the problem. Example # 1 “In your conclusion”: – Answer the experimental question – Include specific supporting data – Explain how these data support your conclusion Bad: “The amount of water affects plant height.” Good: “The more water the plant received, the taller the plant grew.” – Provide a scientific explanation for the trend in the data Example #2 p. 11 Unintended consequences – Describe two effects of insecticide use – Describe how each effect causes a change in another part of the ecosystem

So what should I do? Use each of the bullets as a checklist In your conclusion:  Answer the experimental question  Include supporting data  Explain how these data support your conclusion  Provide a scientific explanation for the trend. 1.Make the list into check boxes ☐ then check!  2.Cross off the item when it’s done 3.Go back to the prompt and reread

Lessons Learned: Field or Lab Investigation Writing a Procedure 1. Include & identify both the MV (manipulated/ independent variable) and the RV (responding/ dependent variable) 2. Clearly state what you are measuring! “record the data” vs. “record the number of organisms in the sample area” (state the RV) 3. Must include repeated trials for reliability in field studies – repeat for 3 years, months or weeks

Writing a Procedure: Field or Lab Study Include method for collecting data – Imply a consistent sampling strategy “ count at the same time every day ” Identify one manipulated variable – Three conditions (3 areas) to be tested Identify one responding variable - what is being measured Record measurements -- How often, specific technique for recording measurements OK to sketch a labeled data table and/or diagram of set up Repeat trials – Multiple measurements, sampling areas (field study) Record environmental conditions (field Study) – Temperature, weather, etc. Steps of procedure are logical – a numbered list in order

Lessons Learned Research & Explore (Technological Design) Include a scientific concept When identifying constraints (limitations) to do with money: - not OK: “the solution costs money” - OK: “the solution requires training lots of people” Explain HOW a solution will solve a problem not simply “the design will solve the problem”

Propose a Solution (Technological Design) “Unintended consequences” outcomes or results that were NOT EXPECTED or foreseen as a result of your action (solution) usually bad in some way Examples: bio-accumulation of toxins in food chain harm or extinction to a non-target species unbalancing a predator-prey relationship

Lessons Learned R eliability = R epeating an investigation 3 times Validity = adding more controlled variables Remember?: state 3 CVs. Best choices: amounts, temperature and time (ATT)