AS 91415 annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

TKI Earth and Space Science assessment resources (external link)

Download all these exemplars and commentary [PDF, 331 KB]

For Excellence, the student needs to investigate comprehensively an aspect of astronomy.

This involves explaining the key links between the astronomy aspect and the key science.

This student has conducted a comprehensive investigation by explaining how Red Dwarfs occur (1), explaining the science behind Red Dwarfs (2), and showing how the process within a Red Dwarf leads to star stability and possible intelligent life on planets around it (3).

For a more secure Excellence, the student could explain comprehensively how convection currents within a Red Dwarf lead to mixing of the hydrogen and helium and therefore maintain a stable environment and that excess heat is not locked into the core as around bigger stars.

For Merit, the student needs to investigate in depth an aspect of astronomy.

This involves explaining the key science relevant to the astronomical aspect.

This student has conducted an in depth investigation by explaining what Red Dwarfs  are (1) and the science behind the formation of Red Dwarfs (2).   

For Excellence, the student could comprehensively explain how Red Dwarfs are able to convert hydrogen to helium and maintain a constant atmosphere due to convective mixing.

For Merit, the student needs to investigate in depth the key science relevant to an astronomical event.

This involves explaining the key science relevant to the astronomical aspect.

This student has conducted an in depth investigation by explaining how Red Dwarfs occur (1), and explaining some of the science behind a Red Dwarf (2).     

For a more secure Merit, the student could explain in depth how convection currents within a Red Dwarf help maintain a stable environment within the star, and how this lasts a very long time without destroying the star.

For Achieved, the student needs to investigate an aspect of astronomy.

This involves:

• selecting and processing a wide range of reliable information related to the astronomical aspect and the relevant science.
• explaining the astronomical aspect.

This student has conducted an investigation by explaining Red Dwarfs (1) and the key science of these stars burning hydrogen to helium (2).   

For Merit, the student could explain the science behind the Red Dwarfs and comment on how this hydrogen-helium mixture generates heat within a Red Dwarf, and how it get to the surface by convection currents.

For Achieved, the student needs to investigate an aspect of astronomy.

This involves:

• selecting and processing a wide range of reliable information related to the astronomical aspect and the relevant science.
• explaining the astronomical aspect.

This student has conducted an investigation into an astronomical aspect by explaining what Red Dwarfs are (1).         

For a more secure Achieved, the student could explain how Red Dwarfs operate, for example how Red Dwarfs fuse hydrogen into helium and the heat produced warms the star. 

For Achieved, the student needs to investigate an aspect of astronomy.

This involves:

• selecting and processing a wide range of reliable information related to the astronomical aspect and the relevant science
• explaining the astronomical aspect.

This student has conducted an investigation into an astronomical aspect by describing what Red Dwarfs are (1).          

To reach Achieved, the student could explain the processes occurring within the star to fully explain the astronomical aspect.