This is the task sheet for a chemistry project in grade 9 or 10 (MYP year 4 or 5). It aligns with the IBO's assessment Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science. It can be used for other subjects simply by changing the inquiry question. Originally shared with students as an editable Google Doc here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/147m8-di0dp3R0iLyWlafStH2UWFWNbXIJyHhgR55rwg/edit?usp=sharing Please make a copy if you go to the Google Doc.

1. Student Planner p. 1
Genius Hour for MYP Science
How have scientific and technical innovations
in chemistry changed the world?
“Chemistry is, well technically, chemistry is
the study of matter. But I prefer to see it as
the study of change.”
--Walter White, ​Breaking Bad
What is Genius Hour?
Genius Hour is an idea originally developed by the Google corporate structure, in which employees
were given 20% of their work hours to focus their energy on projects of personal interest, as long as
those projects also benefitted the company. In education, Genius Hour is a way for students to
pursue some of those “I’m curious about…” questions so that they stay engaged and enthusiastic
about a subject while benefiting from the structured guidance of a teacher.
You will have a portion of every lesson dedicated to working on a project of your choice, about a
topic of your choice, to create and share a product of your choice with the global community. Notice
the key word “choice” in the previous sentence. The topic is up to you, but it must be focused on
science, and it must be framed around the idea of solving a problem or issue in society. It may be a
small problem, or it may be huge, but the Genius Hour project is an exploration of how to solve that
problem and improve the world.
Project Overview
In this Criterion D summative assessment task, you’ll investigate chemistry as an agent of scientific
and/or technical innovation. You will work on an independent project of your choosing and
development. There is a 5-step process to the Genius Hour project, which includes a series of tasks
that you must complete by the date shown in the timeline on the following page. You will arrive to
your Genius Hour lessons ready to share your progress with me during a personal conference. I’ll
help you stay on track so that you don’t fall behind, and I’ll help you identify strengths and
weaknesses in your product so that what you produce at the end is something you can proudly share
with the world. Here’s an outline of the Genius Hour process:
1. Choose a topic of personal interest.
2. Research the topic.
3. Select a product to create - your goal.
4. Develop and refine your product with input and feedback from me.
5. Produce, publish, and share your product with the school and global community.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

2. Student Planner p. 2
Genius Hour for MYP Science
Phase 1: Choose a topic
List between 3 to 5 possible topics to investigate. Outline a problem facing our local community,
the nation, or the world and how each one may be addressed through science.
1. Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically
expand as you type.
2. Each time you hit “enter” a new numbered item automatically appears.
Identify a problem or issue which may be solved through the application or use of principles of
chemistry. Your choice at this stage is final and will the topic for the duration of your project.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Outline why the topic you identified above is of interest ​to you personally​ .
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Outline why the topic is of interest or importance ​for society​ .
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Outline how the key concept from this unit is applicable to the topic you have identified.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
State which societal factor is most impacted by your topic. Choose from cultural, economic,
environmental, ethical, moral, political, social.​ ​Briefly outline a few of your ideas.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Phase 2: Research your topic
● Use a minimum of ​five (5) different sources. Beware: Two pages from the same website do
not count as two sources!
● Use at least ​two (2) kinds of sources. (For example: websites, books, periodicals,
encyclopedias, personal interviews, and scientific journals)
● Annotate each source in the space provided. Include a note (or notes) with each source about
the specific information it provided.
● Record all the sources of information you used in the space below. Remember that the
sources must be written in correct MLA format!
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

3. Student Planner p. 3
Genius Hour for MYP Science
How does the science work? Explain the scientific principles (concepts) which make the solution
to the problem possible.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
What are the benefits to humanity or society? Describe how the science you explained above
helps to solve the problem and improve our world.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Describe the limitations or negative consequences of the science. Is it deeply understood and
widely implemented, or is it theoretical and still in the “what if” stage?
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Evaluate the scientific solution: Do the positive benefits outweigh the negative consequences, or
vice versa? Why? Provide evidence to justify your response.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Source #1:
Annotate your source here. Replace this text with your note about the source above. The box will
automatically expand as you type.
Source #2:
Annotate your source here. Replace this text with your note about the source above. The box will
automatically expand as you type.
Source #3:
Annotate your source here. Replace this text with your note about the source above. The box will
automatically expand as you type.
Source #4:
Annotate your source here. Replace this text with your note about the source above. The box will
automatically expand as you type.
Source #5:
Annotate your source here. Replace this text with your note about the source above. The box will
automatically expand as you type.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

4. Student Planner p. 4
Genius Hour for MYP Science
Phase 3: Select a product
Products can be almost anything that demonstrates your learning. The product you choose should
make sharing your ideas clear and logical for your intended audience. Possibilities are shown below
but not limited to these suggestions:
● A podcast, screencast, or video
● An original animation (Flash, PowToon, or other software)
● Public speech or TED talk
● Report from an interview (with a real person, preferably an expert in the field)
● A fictional account (i.e. science fiction, or writing from the point of view of a scientist, patient,
inventor, etc.)
● Research paper
● Creative non-fiction (i.e. human interest story, think “New Scientist” or “Scientific American”)
● A model (3D or otherwise)
● No posters. No Prezis. No Wordpress. No Weebly. No PowerPoint. You are better than that.
State the product you intend to create.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Describe how the above product will enhance your ability to explain the role of science in solving
the problem you have identified as the topic of your research.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Discuss the skills, materials, and/or other resources you need to complete your product.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Develop a timeline for completing your project. It should have dates and clear, measurable
milestones that are easy to verify with your teacher.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

5. Student Planner p. 5
Genius Hour for MYP Science
Phase 4: Develop and refine your ideas - written draft
This phase is perhaps the most important step toward creating a successful final product. Regardless
of the type of product you create, organizing your ideas logically and coherently is critical for success.
That means you need ​paragraphs built around one main idea each, ​scientific vocabulary used
correctly, and proper ​sentence structure, ​grammar, ​capitalization, ​spelling, and ​punctuation
throughout your written work. Using the blue Phase 4 organizer below, develop a written draft which
addresses all parts of the scoring rubric. For your draft and final products, you ​don’t have to use the
same ​order as the blue Phase 4 organizer, but you ​do have to include ​all the parts shown below.
Problem to be solved: Introduce the topic you chose in Phase 1 (the red part). Grab your
audience’s attention with a creative hook or question.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Explain the scientific innovation or discovery which may solve the problem in Phase 2 (orange).
Describe ​how the science is used and explain ​why it works or might work.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Discuss the beneficial or helpful impacts of the science on one factor in society. Use your
research from Phase 2 (orange).
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Discuss the limitations which may prevent the science from successfully addressing the problem.
Use your research from Phase 2 (orange).
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Use examples and/or evidence of the benefits and limitations from your research in Phase 2
(orange) to evaluate the impacts of the science - do the pros outweigh the cons, or vice versa?
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Develop a solid conclusion: Summarize the problem, the science, the benefits, and the
limitations in a single paragraph. End with a final closing statement.
Replace this text with your response to the above prompt. The box will automatically expand as
you type.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

6. Student Planner p. 6
Genius Hour for MYP Science
Phase 5: Produce, polish, and publish your product
Communication checklist:
✓ Look for the red and green squiggly lines that indicate spelling and grammar mistakes in
your writing. Fix them.
✓ Read carefully for punctuation and capitalization.
✓ Highlight or underline key scientific vocabulary throughout your written text.
✓ Select all your text (ctrl+A or cmd+A) and set it to the same font and font size.
✓ Verify that the line and paragraph spacing are consistent throughout your writing.
Refine your final product:
✓ Review the organization of your ideas to make sure they “flow” the way you want.
✓ Check for technical glitches: Are audio levels consistent? Are the brightness/darkness of
images the same throughout? Make sure transitions all operate smoothly. If you made a
model, verify that ​someone who is not you can use it easily.
✓ Practice the final presentation - film yourself and review the video. You may have to do this
several times to get it right!
✓ Step away from your project for at least 24 hours, and then review it again. You’ll be
surprised at how many things you notice during this second review.
Publish/share your final product with your teacher, your family, your class, your school, and the
broader global community, using one of of the following platforms, or something similar:
● YouTube
● WordPress
● Weebly
● Twitter
● Tumblr
Paste the URL in the space below:
URL:
Celebrate! You’ve learned something new and shared your ideas with the world!
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

7. Student Planner p. 7
Genius Hour for MYP Science
Assessment and reflection
Click on any hyperlink in the rubric to see an official MYP definition of the term, as well as our own
‘student-friendly’ definition.
Strand Level 8 - 7 Level 6 - 5 Level 4 - 3 Level 2 - 1 Level 0
Explaining
how science is
applied
explain​ the
ways in which
science is
applied​ and
used to
address a
specific
problem or
issue
describe​ the
ways in which
science is
applied​ and
used to
address a
specific
problem or
issue
summarize​ the
ways in which
science is
applied​ and
used to
address a
specific
problem or
issue
outline​ the
ways in which
science is used
to address a
specific
problem or
issue
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors at
left
Discussing and
evaluating the
implications of
science
discuss​ and
evaluate​ the
implications of
using science
and its
application​ to
solve a specific
problem or
issue,
interacting
with a factor
discuss​ the
implications of
using science
and its
application​ to
solve a specific
problem or
issue,
interacting
with a factor
describe​ the
implications of
using science
and its
application​ to
solve a specific
problem or
issue,
interacting
with a factor
outline​ the
implications of
using science
to solve a
specific
problem or
issue,
interacting
with a factor
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors at
left
Applying
scientific
language to
communicate
consistently
apply​ scientific
language to
communicate
understanding
clearly and
precisely
usually ​apply
scientific
language to
communicate
understanding
clearly and
precisely
sometimes
apply
understanding
scientific
language to
communicate
apply​ scientific
language to
communicate
understanding
but does so
with limited
success
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors at
left
Documenting
sources
document
sources
completely
usually
document
sources
correctly
sometimes
document
sources
correctly
document
sources, with
limited success
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors at
left
What the
student did
well to earn
these marks:
How the
student can
improve these
marks:
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

8. Student Planner p. 8
Genius Hour for MYP Science
Term MYP definition​ on top
Our definition​ underneath
Apply MYP definition​: Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real circumstance.
Our definition​: Use what you already know in a new and/or different situation.
Cultural MYP definition:​ Patterns of knowledge, behaviour, beliefs, shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that
characterize groups of people
Our definition:​ The shared beliefs and values of different groups of people.
Describe MYP definition​: Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.
Our definition​: Tell ​how something happened (i.e. “first this, then that”). In experiments, identify the minimum
and maximum values in experimental data and recount the overall trends between variables.
Discuss MYP definition​: Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or
hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
Our definition​: Look at both sides of an argument or an issue, weighing the strengths and limitations of each
side. Conclusions should be based on scientific evidence.
Document MYP definition​: Credit sources of information used by referencing or citing, following the MLA system.
References should be included in the text and also at the end of the piece of work in a bibliography.
Our definition​: Use in-text references & a bibliography to show where you found ideas and information.
Economic MYP definition:​ Production, distribution, and use of income, wealth, and commodities
Our definition:​ Anything having to do with money, either personally or as a society
Environmental MYP definition:​ Circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded
Our definition:​ Our surroundings, particularly the natural (not built) world
Ethical MYP definition:​ Process of inquiry to decide on issues as right or wrong, as applied to people and their actions
Our definition:​ Determining whether or not an action is right or wrong
Evaluate MYP definition​: Make an appraisal by weighing the strengths versus the limitations.
Our definition​: Look at how well something worked, whether it’s a hypothesis, method, or collection of info.
Explain MYP definition​: Give a detailed account.
Our definition​: Tell how and why something happened and justify it with scientific evidence and/or reasons.
Moral MYP definition:​ Principles of right or wrong behaviour derived from a particular society
Our definition:​ Relating ethical decisions to culture
Outline MYP definition​: Give a brief account.
Our definition​: Briefly describe the major points or concepts.
Political MYP definition:​ Relates to government or public affairs
Our definition:​ How different groups or countries have power under the law
Social MYP definition:​ Interactions between groups of people involving issues such as welfare, safety, rights, justice or
class
Our definition:​ The ways in which people interact with one another
Summarize MYP definition​: Abstract a general theme or major points.
Our definition​: Distill a lot of information down to the key essential points.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.