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.
| Source | Task |
|---|---|
|
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: |
|
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: |
|
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: |
|
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: |
|
Source Subject Grade Level |
International Geographic Project In this task, students will collaborate as a class in creating a magazine modeled after National Geographic that answers the essential question, "How are things different when you cross the US/Mexico border and why?". This task includes: |
|
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: |
|
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: |
|
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: |
|
Source Subject Grade Level |
Middle NCTM Activity - Air Temperature This task is from PALS and was previously part of Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)'s Atmosphere Unit. Students will calculate the average daily temperature. This task includes: |
|
Source Subject Grade Level |
Middle NCTM Activity - Clinometer This task is from PALS and was previously part of Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)'s Earth Systems Unit. Students will draw shapes out of the given angles using strings. 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.
© Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305