Please note that many tasks were constructed prior to Common Core and the task alignments to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were not identified in the task materials. To search for the performance tasks explicitly aligned to the CCSS, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), or College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, please go to CCSS, NGSS, and C3 tabs.
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Human Inheritance This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on Genetics and Molecular Biology and Patterns of Inheritance. Students must use their knowledge of Madelian genetics to answer questions about the occurance of a trait on a family tree. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Hydrated Salt This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on Chemical Reactions. Students must design and test an experiment that will determine an empirical formula for a hydrated salt that will reveal when the moisture has completely left the sodium crystals. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Ice Melting This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the knowledge of the Transfer of Energy. Students must design a way to investigate whether various materials can prevent heat gain in frozen water. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Identifying Creatures This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Understandings of Scientific Inquiry. Students must use a classification key about facial properties to identify three creatures. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Keep Cool This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Properties of Objects and Materials. Students must test cups of various materials to determine which would be best suited to keep a cold drink cool on a hot day. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Measurement: Length, Volume, and Temperature This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Properties of Objects and Materials. Students must practice basic laboratory skills by measuring, recording temperature, and calculating the volume of water needed. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Measurement: Using the Balance This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Properties of Objects and Materials. Students must practice basic lab skills by using a balance to weigh various objects. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Peat Pots This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the knowledge of the Earth System. Students must observe and calculate the capillarity of soil by observing a peat pot in water. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Plastic Wrapped This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on Properties of Objects and Materials. Students must test different plastic wrap samples and rank them by quality. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Pond-water Populations This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Balance of Populations in Ecosystems. Students must design and complete an experiment to show how variables affect the growth of organisms in an aquarium or pond setting. This task includes: |
If you would like to recommend additional open-sourced performance task banks to be included in the database, or if you would like to report a broken link, please email Pai-rou Chen.
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