Clarification details
Updated December 2017. 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
Complete descriptions, or explanations of, the physics of the issue is the key to this standard. The issue may be chosen by the teacher or the student, provided it involves sufficient physics concepts and principles that relate to the issue and are appropriate to Level 8 of the New Zealand Curriculum.
A socio-scientific issue
A socio-scientific issue refers to an issue that involves physics and has social implications. The social implications may be economic, ethical or environmental.
An informed response
For an informed response, the student should refer to evidence gathered that relates to the socio-scientific issue. This should be used to provide an explanation of how and why their response has been made.