2025/2026 Year 12 Biology Assessment Task 1 Outline
In this task, you will design, construct, and evaluate a narrated stop-motion animation model that visually represents a key biological process involved in heredity, such as mitosis, meiosis, DNA replication, or polypeptide synthesis. This task challenges you to research, plan, and communicate your understanding of complex molecular and cellular mechanisms through a creative and interactive model.
Models are essential tools in Biology. They help scientists and students represent structures and processes that are too small, fast, or complex to observe directly. By transforming these microscopic events into tangible and visual representations, you will deepen your understanding and develop important skills in scientific communication. This task supports the NSW Stage 6 Biology syllabus by encouraging you to evaluate the strengths and limitations of models, apply evidence-based reasoning, and engage in inquiry- based learning. It also promotes creativity and critical thinking, reinforcing the value of accurate modelling in explaining intricate biological phenomena.
Part A - Design Brief & AI Prompts/Research (formative assessment)
Your design brief and AI prompts/research must be submitted in hard copy to your teacher by 9.00 am on Monday, 3rd November.
The design brief will be handwritten and include the following:
• Identify how you will illustrate the processes in your model.
• A comprehensive list of materials and quantities to be used in your model.
• A scaled and labelled diagram of your model.
• Details of how your model will be interactive and/or movable
• Details of prompts/research conducted
Students can use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist them in preparing their design brief by generating ideas, refining explanations, and clarifying complex biological concepts related to their chosen process. AI platforms can help students brainstorm effective ways to illustrate and model biological structures, suggest suitable materials, or provide simplified explanations of cellular mechanisms such as DNA replication or mitosis. When using AI, students should critically evaluate the accuracy and relevance of the information provided, ensuring it aligns with scientific understanding. All AI use must be transparently documented in the word document template provided, including the name of the AI platform used, the exact prompts entered, and the responses generated. Recording this information demonstrates academic integrity and allows teachers to assess how AI has supported the research and design process.
Examples of appropriate and inappropriate AI use include:
Appropriate Use:
• Brainstorming design ideas, prompts, or possible materials for models.
• Asking AI to explain complex biological concepts in simpler terms.
• Generating question prompts or summaries to guide further research.
Inappropriate Use:
• Copying AI-generated explanations, diagrams, or designs and submitting them as original work.
• Using AI to write the entire design brief, evaluation, or bibliography.
• Failing to acknowledge AI assistance in the provided template. (hence the word document template needs to be completed honestly)
See the attached rubric, research template and the assessment notification for further details
Part B - Model (25 Marks)
Your narrated stop-motion animation will need to be submitted to Teams in class by 9.00 am on Thursday, 20th November.
You will need to produce a 5-7-minute narrated stop-motion animation aimed at teaching a peer about a process of heredity. You will be allocated ONE set of processes from below:
• Meiosis and mitosis,
• DNA replication,
• polypeptide synthesis (transcription and translation) You will need to:
• Create a 3D model of the process allocated to you
• Use materials that effectively represent the structures and demonstrate the processes and functions.
• Use the model in your stop-motion animation to demonstrate the stages involved in your allocated process.
• Use one of the many free apps to assist you in making your stop-motion animation.
See the attached rubric for further details.
Part C - Bibliography
You will be required to submit a bibliography of the resources used to complete this task to Teams by 9.00 am on Thursday, 20th November.
You will need to:
• Use a minimum of five different resources on your list.
• At least three varied sources (textbook, video, website) .
• Referenced using the APA referencing style.
• Comment on the validity and reliability of two of these resources will need to be evaluated using the CRAAP method.
See the attached outline of the CRAAP method and template for your bibliography.
Part D - In-Class Validation Task
You will be required to complete a validation task as part of your assessment on Thursday, 20th November. You must be able to:
• Reflect on the effectiveness of your stop-motion animation in teaching your intended audience about the biological process.
• Explain how your model demonstrates your understanding of the assigned biological process.
• Evaluate the effectiveness, benefits, and limitations of your model in helping to communicate and explain the concept.
This validation task allows you to demonstrate your ability to critically analyse your work, communicate scientific understanding, and reflect on how effectively your model and animation convey complex biological ideas.