1

LaSalle Catholic College Chemistry

HSC Chemistry Task 4: Open-Ended Investigation
DUE: Week 1, Term 3, Period 2 Wednesday 16
th
July, 2014


This assessment includes two parts:
1. Open-ended investigation
2. Video Blog (2-3 minutes)


For the Chemistry Course students are required to carry out an open-ended investigation that
integrates the skills, knowledge and understanding outcomes. An open-ended investigation is
generally considered to be a piece of research for which the answers are unknown or only
suspected.






Scenario:
Between years 1999-2000 and years 2009-2010, tourism in Antarctica has increased by 250%. This
rapid increase in ocean traffic to Antarctica has led to a higher demand in the development of marine
vessels.
You are a naval architect who works for the Australian Antarctic Program. Your current project is to
design an ice-strengthened or ice-class ship vessel the material of which shows the least amount of
corrosions over time.

Your task involves examining 5 metals or alloys in an electrolyte solution, simulating the Antarctic
marine environment. In two weeks, you will need to present a short pre-recorded presentation for a
video conference, justifying the chosen metal/s for the Antarctic marine vessel.



Syllabus Dot Point: Identify data, choose equipment, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to
compare the corrosion rate, in a suitable electrolyte, of a variety of metals,
including named modern alloys to identify those best suited for use in marine
vessels.
2
In this Investigation, you are to perform the following:

1) Plan an investigation to compare corrosion rate of a variety of metals and named modern alloys in
a suitable electrolyte/s, which simulate the Antarctic marine environment.

This includes:
a) A basic outline of the investigation
b) List of materials needed
c) How results will be recorded
d) Diagrams of the plan
e) Correct references according to your student diary.

2) A scientific report of the investigation including:
a) Title, Introduction, Aim, Hypothesis, Equipment, Procedure/Method, Results (including tables
and diagram), Discussion, Conclusion
b) This needs to be done as a Microsoft word document (Font 12, double spaced) and placed in
students Google Drive or sent via Edmodo or email to Miss Chui.
(zhejue.chui@syd.catholic.edu.au)

3) A video blog of you following the steps in your scientific method from Title though to
Conclusion. You need to upload this to their Google Drive folder. Length of the video must be
between 2-3 minutes.

4) Sections 1 and 2 must be free of grammatical and spelling mistakes and handed in/submitted
during the period on the due date.

5) Ensure that this is all your own work and you abide by the rules set out in your assessment
booklet.








3
Marking Criteria

1. Investigation Plan and References









2. Scientific Report






























Criteria: The Plan and References included: Mark Mark
An outline of how the investigation was to be
performed.
1
A list of equipment that was needed
1
How results were going to be recorded
1
Any rough diagrams of investigation
1
A References written as set out in student diary
2
Criteria: The Scientific Report included: Mark Mark
Introduction
An introduction that provides suitable background
(scientific) information on the corrosion rates of
various metals in electrolytes under different
environments. E.g. temperature, pH, salt
concentration
4
Format
An appropriate Title, Aim, Hypothesis and
Equipment
2
Procedure
A logical procedure explaining how results were to
be recorded
3
Results
Results recorded in an appropriate format.
2
Discussion
Interprets and explains results, including any errors
or improvements that could be made.
Examines whether and how the questions raised in
the introduction section have been answered.
Shows how results relate to the background
information (scientific content) found in the
introduction.
If any, outline recent research questions or areas for
future research that results have suggested.
4
Conclusion
A conclusion which referred to the hypothesis,
1
Presentation
A word file posted to teacher on EDMODO or in
student Google Drive
1
4
3. Video Blog













4. Presentation














Teachers Comments

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Criteria: The Video Blog: Mark Mark
The video reflects a connected sequence of the
scientific procedure with relevant scientific
background information.
3
Include scientific evidence (footage and photos) of
the experiment to illustrate the finding of the
experiment.
2
Length of Video was between 2-3 minutes.
2
Shows excellent understanding of elements of
medium, including shot composition, sound
recording, lighting and editing.

1

Video blog is engaging and interesting.
1
Criteria: In the presentation the student: Mark Mark
! Included
1. correct references
2. font 12, double sided, A4 sheets
3. work free from spelling and grammatical errors
4. handed up work in an A4 plastic sleeve with name
5. a well presented and visually appealing video blog.
5
! Any 4 of the above
4
! Any 3 of the above
3
! Any 2 of the above
2
! Any 1 of the above
1