In my opinion, assessment is an informal or formal method to gauge and judge and individuals knowledge in various content areas or situations. The key when administering an assessment is to ensure that is is authentic. Types of authentic assessment can include portfolios, discussions, presentations, labs, writing assignments, etc.
Three authentic assessments in science:
1: After covering stars and the solar system you can have the student create their own constellation. Using a predetermined set of plot points, the students will plot them on a graph paper using the Cartesian coordinate system. Once they have plotted the points, they will connect the dots in any way they wish and color it to create a constellation. Then they will write the story or mythology associated with their constellation. They should also incorporate the appropriate terminology into the mythology showing that they have grasped the material.
2. Have the students choose a branch of science that interests them and have them create and informative brochure that explains what it involves, its origins, evolution over time, contributions to science as a whole, etc. You can display them or have students present them to the class.
3.In addition to conducting labs, the students should maintain a journal reflecting their outcomes, predictions, or ideas; similar to lab reports. The journal would be used as a portfolio to show the students' critical thinking skills and the use of the scientific method.
I like the assessments you came up with. Science is sometimes an area that unfortunately is not fun for the students unless a teacher has a variety of activities in which they are engaged in and they find interest in. I think the assessment of the solar system is something the students would enjoy,because they are making their own constellation and you have writing incorporated in the assessment.
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