AS 91411 Clarification

Clarification for AS 91411: Investigate a socio-scientific issue in an Earth and Space Science context

Clarification details

Updated November 2022. This document has been updated in its entirety to address new issues that have arisen from moderation.

The purpose of clarifications

We create clarification documents to help people understand the current requirements of achievement standards. Clarifications do not introduce new criteria, change the intent of the standard, or change what we expect from assessment.

These documents unpack and explain the language and intent of the standard so people interpret and apply the standard consistently. We provide examples or guidance as illustrations only. They are not prescriptions or requirements.

For official requirements, always refer to the current version of the achievement standard as published by NZQA.

Assessment guidance

To reach Achieved, students must:

  • select and process information to explain and report on an Earth and Space Science socio-scientific issue
  • explain the impact of the socio-scientific issue on individuals and society
  • describe a personal and societal response to the issue.

The issue selected must have Earth and Space Science as a key focus of the issue affecting individuals and society. The information selected and processed must include scientific sources. These may be from any source that communicates information to society.

The information collected needs to be processed, and this processing of the information must allow a personal and societal response to be drawn. Students should list resources in a traceable format for authenticity purposes.

Students are required to carry out research to collect secondary evidence. This evidence will then form the basis of their report. Students must draw an individual and societal response on the issue, and back up these responses with scientific evidence from their research.

Background information to the research may be supplied by the teacher and can include primary and/or secondary information. The teacher can set the broad outline for the issue, or the students may develop their own issue. The research may include a field trip.

See all Earth and Space Science clarifications