Topic 4: Crafting PISA-like Science Assessment Tasks

STEP TASK
Step 1: Choose a real- “Cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda”
world scenario:
Step 2: Integrate cross- Scenario:
disciplinary knowledge:
You’re tackling a tough stain in your kitchen or trying to unclog a drain. You decide to use a mixture of vinegar (acetic acid) and baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate).
Step 3: Formulate open- 1. How do you think the chemical reactions between vinegar and baking soda can be applied to develop more effective cleaning
ended questions: solutions?
2. What other household items might react similarly to vinegar and baking soda, and how could those reactions be utilized in cleaning or
cooking?
3. In what ways can understanding the science behind vinegar and baking soda enhance our approach to sustainable cleaning practices?
4. How might the reaction between vinegar and baking soda be adapted for use in different environments, such as schools or industrial
settings?
5. What are some potential limitations of using vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, and how could we overcome these challenges?
6. In what situations do you think the bubbling action of vinegar and baking soda is most beneficial, and why?
7. How could the knowledge gained from this reaction influence our understanding of chemistry in everyday life?

Step 4: Incorporate Analysis: What are the chemical processes occurring when vinegar and baking soda are combined, and how do
higher-order thinking: these processes contribute to the effectiveness of the reaction in cleaning?

Synthesis: If you were to design a new eco-friendly cleaning product using vinegar and baking soda as a base,
what additional ingredients would you include, and what properties would they need to enhance the product’s
effectiveness?

Evaluation: Considering the environmental impact of traditional cleaning products, how do vinegar and baking
soda compare in terms of safety and efficacy? What evidence supports your assessment?

Application: How can the principles of this chemical reaction be applied to other household cleaning
challenges, such as removing tough stains or deodorizing?

Creation: Imagine you are tasked with educating a community about effective and safe cleaning methods. How
would you incorporate the science behind vinegar and baking soda into a workshop or presentation?
 Comparison: How does the reaction between vinegar and baking soda differ from other common household
reactions, such as those involving bleach or ammonia? What implications does this have for safety and cleaning
efficacy?

Hypothesis: What would happen if you combined vinegar and baking soda with other common household
substances? Formulate a hypothesis about the potential reactions and their outcomes.

Reflection: Reflect on your personal experiences using vinegar and baking soda for cleaning. What have you
learned about the effectiveness of natural cleaning methods compared to commercial products?

Integration: How might knowledge of the chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda be integrated
into curriculum for teaching students about acid-base chemistry in a hands-on way?

Prediction: Based on current trends in eco-friendly cleaning solutions, how do you predict the popularity of
vinegar and baking soda will evolve in the next five years? What factors will influence this trend?
PISA-like Assessment Multiple Choice Question:
Which of the following statements best explains the reason for the effectiveness of the vinegar and
baking soda mixture in cleaning?
A) The reaction produces heat, which helps to dissolve stains more effectively.
B) The release of carbon dioxide creates bubbles that physically dislodge dirt and debris from surfaces.
C) Sodium acetate, produced in the reaction, has strong cleaning properties that enhance the solution's
effectiveness.
D) The acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes odors, making the cleaning solution more pleasant to use.

Correct Answer: B - The release of carbon dioxide creates bubbles that physically dislodge dirt and debris from
surfaces.

Open-Ended Question:
Question:
What do you think will happen when you use vinegar and baking soda to clean a tough stain or unclog a
drain, and what will you do if it doesn't work as you expected?
 Sample Answer:
When you mix vinegar and baking soda, you usually get a bubbling reaction that can help lift stains or clear
clogs. If it doesn’t work, you might consider using a stronger cleaner, trying a different method, or letting it sit
longer before rinsing.

Contextualized Question Using an Illustration:

Question:
The picture shows steps on how to unclog a sink using baking
soda and vinegar.
Explain why do you think using a vinegar and baking soda is
effective in unclogging a drain.

Link:
https://sl.bing.net/jdgzvbI7AFU
Possible Answer:
Using vinegar and baking soda is effective for unclogging a drain because they create a chemical reaction when
combined. The baking soda (a base) reacts with the vinegar (an acid) to produce carbon dioxide gas, which
creates fizzing bubbles. This bubbling action helps to dislodge debris and build-up in the pipes. Additionally,
vinegar’s acidity can help dissolve mineral deposits and grease, while baking soda can neutralize odors.
Together, they can often break down blockages and clear the drain effectively.

PISA Skills assessed 1. Retrieving and Interpreting Information: In both the multiple-choice and open-ended questions, students must
extract and interpret relevant data from the diagram, graph, or text provided. They demonstrate their ability to
understand real-world environmental processes such as chemical reactions.

2. Analyzing and Reflecting: The open-ended and contextualized questions require students to analyze chemical
reactions of acid (vinegar) and base (baking soda). Students must reflect on the reaction of chemicals and their uses in
real-life scenarios.

3. Applying Knowledge to New Situations: You could apply knowledge about using vinegar and baking soda to solve
practical problems by analyzing a new situation. For example, if presented with a scenario involving a clogged drain and a
different set of materials, you would: Recognize the nature of the clog and its potential causes. Use your understanding of
acids and bases, and how they interact, to hypothesize about alternative mixtures or methods for clearing the drain.
 Assess the effectiveness of various approaches based on previous experiences (like the vinegar and baking soda method)
and decide which might work best. After trying a solution, analyze the outcome to determine what worked, what didn’t,
and why, allowing for adjustments in future problem-solving. This approach shows how you can transfer knowledge from
one context to another, applying critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

Topic 4: Developing PISA-like Science Tasks

Topic: PISA Competency: Research, evaluate and use scientific information Learning Competency: Recognize different types of compounds (ionic or covalent)
Properties of Ionic and Covalent for decision making and action. based on their properties such as melting point, hardness, polarity, and electrical
Compounds and thermal conductivity.

Scenario Multiple-Choice Questions Open-Ended Question Problem-Solving Question with Real-World Key PISA Skills Assessed
Application
Scenario: You are designing a set of Group Discussion (Add pedagogical Strategy/ies) Scientific Knowledge:
You are designing a new set of kitchen pots that need to How would you evaluate the You are tasked with designing a new line of kitchen Recognize different types of
kitchen utensils and need to withstand high temperatures effectiveness of using different utensils that need to withstand high temperatures compounds (ionic or covalent)
choose materials based on their during cooking. Based on its types of compounds, such as and resist wear over time. Given the different types based on their properties such
properties. You have three properties, which material ionic and covalent materials, in of compounds available—such as ionic compounds as melting point, hardness,
options: stainless steel, plastic, would you choose for the pots the design of kitchen utensils, and like stainless steel and covalent compounds like polarity, and electrical and
and silicone. to ensure durability and heat what specific properties would silicone and plastic—how would you analyze their thermal conductivity;
resistance? you consider for each type of properties (melting point, hardness, polarity,
Stainless Steel (Ionic/Covalent compound in your decision- thermal and electrical conductivity) to determine Critical Thinking:
Compound): A) Plastic making process? the best materials for each type of utensil? Explain Analyze information, evaluate
B) Silicone your decision-making process and how it applies to alternatives, and justify their
Properties: High melting point, C) Stainless Steel ensuring safety and functionality in the kitchen. choices based on scientific
very hard, good electrical and D) Glass reasoning.
thermal conductivity.
Application: Ideal for knives and Correct Answer: C) Stainless Question: Problem Solving:
cooking pots, as it can Steel 1. Given the properties of ionic compounds Applying knowledge of types
withstand high temperatures like stainless steel and covalent compounds of compounds and their
and provides durability. When selecting materials for like silicone and plastic, how would you properties.
measuring cups that need to be determine which material is best suited for
Plastic (Covalent Compound): lightweight and easily molded heat-resistant cooking utensils? Consider Communication: Clearly
Properties: Lower melting point, into different shapes, which factors such as melting point and thermal articulating explanations and
softer, less conductive. material would be the most conductivity in your answer. justifying proposals based on
Application: Suitable for practical choice? 2. When evaluating materials for non-stick scientific evidence.
measuring cups and spoons, as A) Copper baking utensils, how would the polarity
it is lightweight and can be B) Rubber and hardness of different compounds
molded into various shapes, but C) Plastic influence your choice? Discuss how these
may warp at high temperatures. D) Ceramic properties affect usability and cooking
Correct Answer: C) Plastic performance.
3. How would you compare the melting
Silicone (Covalent Compound): For baking utensils that require points and thermal conductivity of various
Properties: Flexible, high heat a non-stick surface and can materials (e.g., stainless steel, silicone, and
resistance, non-stick surface, endure high temperatures, plastic) to select the best options for high-
low electrical conductivity. which material would be the temperature cooking and baking utensils?
Application: Great for baking best option? What role do these properties play in your
mats and spatulas, as it can A) Aluminum final selection?
handle high temperatures B) Silicone
without melting and is easy to C) Wood
clean. D) Stainless Steel
Correct Answer: B) Silicone