Facilitator’s CALA Guide
Learning Area : A Level Physics
CALA Type: Pen and Paper
Level : Form Six
Topic: Radioactivity
Duration Three Weeks
Concepts /Skills
1. Research on background radiation
2. Data Compilation
3. Data Analysis
4. Report Writing
Dimensions / Criteria To Be Assessed
1. Researching on background radiation
2. Compiling Data of Measured Background Radiation
3. Analysing the compiled data
4. Writing a report to advise the community of levels of their background radiation
Assessment Objectives
Learners should be able to
Search the internet for data on background radiation
Get typical background radiation levels for the whole world
Research on how Geiger Counters work
Operate the available Geiger counter and take background radiation count for the local community
Draw a map of the measured area
Write a report to the community conscientising them of their background radiation levels
Context
Incidences of cancer amongst indigenous peoples of Africa is the rise and one possible cause of cancer is high radiation levels.
Candidates are to investigate the background radiation levels and publish such data so that any changes in these levels would be used
to indicate danger to living things.
Facilitator’s notes
Facilitator issues learners with the CALA Learner’s guide , marking guide and background
Learners compile data from selected areas in the community and present to the facilitator in the first week
Learners analyse the data and draw a pie chart of radiation count of a selected areas and facilitator assesses the calculations and
analysis
Learners write a report on their findings and facilitator assesses the recommendations made by the learner
Marking Guide
Dimension Mark Allocation
Researching on background radiation 10
Compiling the researched data into tables 5
Analyzing the compiled data 10
Writing A Report 5
Total Marks 30
Achievements Standards
Dimension/ Criteria A B C D E
Researching on Prologue citing latest website data on background At least one At least two At least three At least
background radiation radiation four
count [10] Missing Missing Missing aspects
At least two websites not older than 2 aspect aspects Missing
years [2] aspects
Units of radiation count /CPM[1]
Typical CPM of different regions of the
world[1]
Values of acceptable levels of radiation
[1]
Components of background radiation[1]
Sources of background radiation[1]
Evidence of how Geiger counter is used
to measure radiation levels[1]
Formulae for calculating error levels
involved in measurement of radiation[2]
Compiling the Results of measurement of background radiation At least one At least two At least three At least
researched data into in at least 6 chosen areas in the community four
tables [5] Missing Missing Missing aspects
6 sets of results with units [2] aspect aspects Missing
Possible error level for the machine [1] aspects
Evidence of taking long time or large
readings [1]
Evidence of repeated readings[1]
Analyzing the Calculating the background radiation giving its At least one At least two At least three At least
compiled data units as CPM , drawing a map of the measured four
area and indicating the CPM values on the map Missing Missing Missing aspects
[10] aspect aspects Missing
Correct formula [total count /time in aspects
mins=CPM] [1]
Calculation of percentage error in
count[3] {sub ,value,%}
Calculation of average count per area[2]
Drawing / printing of map of area of
choice showing background count in
CPM[4] {map,key,label,scale]
Writing A Report Citation of background radiation of some places At least one At least two At least three At least
of the earth. Compare with the measured CPM four
value. Reference to acceptable levels and hence Missing Missing Missing aspects
make conclusions whether the measured values aspect aspects Missing
[5] aspects
are acceptable or not.
Learner’s Cala Guide
Learning Area : A Level Physics
Candidate Name : _______________________________________
Candidate Number : _______________________________________
Centre Name : _______________________________________
Centre Number : _______________________________________
CALA Type : Pen and Paper
Level : Form Six
Topic : Radioactivity
Duration : Three Weeks
Background
Incidences of cancer amongst indigenous peoples of Africa is on the rise and one possible cause of cancer is high radiation levels. You
the candidate are to investigate the background radiation levels and publish such data so that any changes in these levels would be
used to indicate danger to living things in the community.
Marking Guide
Dimension Mark Allocation
Researching on background radiation 10
Compiling the researched data into tables 5
Analyzing the compiled data 10
Writing A Report 5
Total Marks 30
CALA Description
Facilitator issues learners with the CALA Learner’s guide , marking guide and background
Learners compile data from selected areas in the community and present to the facilitator in the first week
Learners analyse the data and draw a pie chart of radiation count of a selected areas and facilitator assesses the calculations and
analysis
Learners write a report on their findings and facilitator assesses the recommendations made by the learner
