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Sciences Guide
(Biology – Chemistry – Physics)
MYP 5
( EIS )
Table of Contents
EIS Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................. 3
Science Subject Aims .................................................................................................................................. 4
Global Contexts ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Concepts ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Key concepts .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Related concepts .................................................................................................................................... 12
Command Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Syllabus and Expected Tasks:.................................................................................................................. 16
Biology.................................................................................................................................................... 16
Unit 1: How it all begins? ................................................................................................................. 16
Unit 2: It’s in your Genes! ................................................................................................................ 16
Unit 3: Biotechnology ....................................................................................................................... 16
Unit 4: Cell Reactions’ Energy ........................................................................................................ 17
Chemistry............................................................................................................................................... 17
Unit 1: Chemical Calculations ......................................................................................................... 17
Unit 2: Electrochemistry .................................................................................................................. 17
Unit 3: Energetics .............................................................................................................................. 18
Unit 4: Designing New Materials ..................................................................................................... 18
Physics .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Unit 1: Electrostatics......................................................................................................................... 19
Unit 2: Magnetism and electromagnetism ...................................................................................... 19
Unit 3: Physical Optics ..................................................................................................................... 19
Unit 4: Thermodynamics .................................................................................................................. 20
Unit 5: Twentieth- century Physics ................................................................................................. 20
Criteria Rubrics ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Criterion A – Knowing and Understanding ....................................................................................... 21
Criterion B – Inquiring and Designing ............................................................................................... 22
Criterion C – Processing and Evaluating ........................................................................................... 23
Criterion D - Reflecting the Impacts of Science ................................................................................. 24
Science Project .......................................................................................................................................... 26
Part A: Investigation: ........................................................................................................................... 26
1
Part B: Planning.................................................................................................................................... 27
Part C: Taking Action .......................................................................................................................... 27
Part D: Reflection ................................................................................................................................. 27
Project Assessment................................................................................................................................ 28
Science Project Timeline: ..................................................................................................................... 29
IMPORTANT NOTE: ...................................................................................................................... 29
Submitting Tasks ...................................................................................................................................... 30
APA Format Checklist ......................................................................................................................... 31
Criterion B – Guide to designing a scientific investigation ............................................................... 32
Criterion C – Guide to processing and evaluating a scientific investigation ................................... 35
Research Tasks – Research Steps ........................................................................................................ 38
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EIS Mission Statement
EIS helps students develop their research and leadership skills, have strong
sense of identity and also cares about young people who help to create a better and
more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To fulfil
this objective, the school provides its learners with high-quality international
education in a local environment, which values respect for international as well as
national cultures. EIS aims to enhance good manners, to develop life-long learners
and to guarantee the satisfaction of the different stakeholders.
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Science Subject Aims
The aims of all MYP subjects state what a teacher may expect to teach and what a student
may expect to experience and learn. These aims suggest how the student may be changed by the
learning experience.
The aims of MYP sciences are to encourage and enable students to:
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Global Contexts
Global contexts provide a common language for powerful contextual learning, identifying
specific settings, events or circumstances that provide more concrete perspectives for teaching and
learning.
When we select a global context for learning, we are answering the following questions.
MYP global contexts, illustrated in the figure below, provide common points of entry for
inquiries into what it means to be internationally minded.
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These and other contexts for teaching and learning inspire explorations of our common
humanity and shared guardianship of the planet. They invite reflection on local, national and global
communities, as well as the real-life issues and concerns. For each MYP unit, you should identify
one global context that establishes a focus for meaningful learning in a programme of international
education. Over the course of your study, you should encounter all six global contexts.
Possible Explorations:
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2. Globalization and Sustainability
Possible Explorations:
• Markets, commodities and commercialization
• Human impact on the environment
• Commonality, diversity and interconnection
• Consumption, conservation, natural resources and public goods
• Population and demography
• Urban planning, strategy and infrastructure
Possible Explorations:
• Systems, models, methods; products, processes and solutions
• Adaptation, ingenuity and progress
• Opportunity, risk, consequences and responsibility
• Modernization, industrialization and engineering
• Digital life, virtual environments and the Information Age
• The biological revolution
• Mathematical puzzles, principles and discoveries
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4. Orientation in Space and Time
Possible Explorations:
• Civilizations and social histories, heritage, pilgrimage, migration, displacement and
exchange
• Epochs, eras, turning points and “big history”
• Scale, duration, frequency and variability
• Peoples, boundaries, exchange and interaction
• Natural and human landscapes and resources
• Evolution, constraints and adaptation
Possible Explorations:
• Democracy, politics, government and civil society
• Inequality, difference and inclusion
• Human capability and development; social entrepreneurs
• Rights, law, civic responsibility and the public sphere
• Justice, peace and conflict management
• Power and privilege
• Authority, security and freedom
• Imagining a hopeful future
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6. Personal and Cultural Expression
Possible Explorations:
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Concepts
Concepts have an important place in the structure of knowledge that requires students and
teachers to think with increasing complexity as they organize and relate facts and topics.
Concepts express understanding that students take with them into lifelong adventures of
learning. They help students to develop principles, generalizations and theories. Students use
conceptual understanding as they solve problems, analyse issues, and evaluate decisions that can
have an impact on themselves, their communities and the wider world.
Key concepts
Key concepts promote the development of a broad curriculum. They represent big ideas
that are both relevant within and across disciplines and subjects.
These key concepts provide a framework for sciences, informing units of work and
helping to organize teaching and learning.
Change
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Relationships
Relationships are the connections and associations between properties, objects, people
and ideas—including the human community’s connections with the world in which we live. Any
change in relationship brings consequences—some of which may occur on a small scale, while
others may be far reaching, affecting large networks and systems such as human societies and the
planetary ecosystem.
Systems
Other key concepts can also be important in sciences. For example, development is an
important aspect in the continual growth through change that epitomizes scientific knowledge.
Science offers important perspectives on the definition, measurement and meaning of time, place
and space. Creativity is always important for scientists working together to extend the limits of
human understanding.
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Related concepts
Related concepts promote deep learning. They are grounded in specific disciplines and
are useful for exploring key concepts in greater detail. Inquiry into related concepts helps
students develop more complex and sophisticated conceptual understanding. Related concepts
may arise from the subject matter of a unit or the craft of a subject—its features and processes.
The following table lists related concepts for the study of sciences. Teachers are not
limited to the related concepts listed in this chart and may choose others when planning units,
including from other subject groups.
The following table contain the definitions of the related concepts mentioned above.
Related
Definition
Concept
The dynamic equilibrium that exists among members of a stable natural
Balance community; the regulation of the internal environment of an organism OR
A state of equilibrium or stable distribution
The observable or quantifiable effects, results, or outcomes correlated
Consequences
with an earlier event or events.
Energy The capacity of an object to do work or transfer heat.
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All of the biotic and abiotic factors that act on an organism, population or
community and influence its survival, evolution and development OR A
Environment description of the universe or a closed system through the application of
the laws of physics; the complex of physical conditions or climate
affecting a habitat or community.
Support for a proposition derived from observation and interpretation of
Evidence
data
The features of an object that can be observed, identified, described,
Form
classified and categorized.
A purpose, a role or a way of behaving that can be investigated; a
Function
mathematical relationship between variables.
The effect or effects two or more systems, bodies, substances or
Interaction organisms have on one another, so that the overall result is not simply the
sum of the separate effects.
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Command Terms
Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. (To
Analyse identify parts and relationships, and to interpret information to reach
conclusions.)
Annotate Add brief notes to a diagram or graph
Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real
Apply circumstances. Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation
to a given problem or issue.
Calculate Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working.
Classify Arrange or order by class or category.
Comment Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation
Construct Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.
Define Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity
Make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or
Demonstrate
practical application.
Describe Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.
Design Produce a plan, simulation or model
Determine Obtain the only possible answer
Credit sources of information used by referencing (or citing), following
one recognized referencing system. References should be included in the
Document
text and also at the end of the piece of work in a reference list or
bibliography.
Represent by means of a labelled, accurate diagram or graph, using a
pencil. A ruler (straight edge) should be used for straight lines. Diagrams
Draw
should be drawn to scale. Graphs should have points correctly plotted (if
appropriate) and joined in a straight line or smooth curve
Estimate Obtain an approximate value for an unknown quantity.
Evaluate Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations
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Command Terms Definitions
Explain Give a detailed account including reasons and causes.
Find Obtain an answer showing relevant stages in the working.
Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or
Formulate
argument(s).
Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state
Identify
briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.
Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw
Interpret
conclusions from given information.
Justify Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.
Label Add title, labels or brief explanation(s) to a diagram or graph.
List Give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation.
Measure Obtain a value for a quantity.
Organize Put ideas and information into a proper or systematic order
Outline Give a brief account or summary.
Plot Mark the position of points on a diagram.
Present Offer for display, observation, examination or consideration
Recall Remember or recognize from prior learning experiences.
Select Choose from a list or group.
Show Give the steps in a calculation or derivation.
Represent by means of a diagram or graph (labelled as appropriate). The
Sketch sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship,
and should include relevant features.
Solve Obtain the answer(s) using appropriate methods
Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or
State
calculation.
Suggest Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer
Summarize Abstract a general theme or major point(s).
Obtain the answer(s), usually by extracting information. Little or no
Write Down
calculation is required. Working does not need to be shown.
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Syllabus and Expected Tasks:
Biology
Unit 1: How it all begins?
1. Review cell structure and cell cycle
2. DNA form and function
3. Introduction to cell division
4. Mitosis and Meiosis ( dry mount slides)
5. Transcription, translation and protein synthesis
6. Behavioural genetics
7. Lab skills : using compound microscopes to examine cells
8. Lab skills: DNA extraction
Unit 3: Biotechnology
1. Cloning ( somatic cell nuclear transfer artificial embryo cloning, plants cuttings and
tissue culture)
2. Recombinant DNA ( gene splicing / Transgenic organisms : Insulin Production
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3. Genetic engineering in agriculture ( BT corn)
4. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its applications
5. 3D tissue and organ printing
6. DNA fingerprinting in legal disputes
7. Skills: using virtual labs and webquests
Chemistry
Unit 1: Chemical Calculations
1- The Mole Concept (Avogadro)
2- Relative Atomic Mass
3- Converting grams to moles and vice versa
4- Concentration
5- Acid-base reactions
6- Titration (Neutralization)
Unit 2: Electrochemistry
1- Atomic Structure
2- Redox Reactions
3- Oxidizing factors and reducing agents
4- Oxidation Numbers
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5- Chemical Activity Series
6- Galvanic Cells
7- Electrolysis
8- Extraction of Metals
Unit 3: Energetics
1- Chemical Reactions
2- Writing Balanced Chemical Equations
3- Measuring the rates of chemical reactions
4- Factors affecting rate of chemical reactions
5- Types of Systems (Open, Closed and Isolated)
6- Exothermic and Endothermic Processes
7- Measuring energy changes during chemical reactions (Neutralization and
combustion reactions)
8- Calculating energy changes using bond enthalpies
9- Reversible and Irreversible reactions
10- Concentration graphs
11- Dynamic equilibrium
12- Le Châtelier’s Principle
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Physics
Unit 1: Electrostatics
1. The nature of electric charges
2. Coulomb’s Law
3. The electric field
4. Electric potential
5. Capacitance
6. Current and electricity
7. Electric resistance
8. Electric power and energy
9. Series and parallel circuits
10. Combination Circuits.
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Unit 4: Thermodynamics
1. Temperature and its measurement
2. Molar Quantities
3. The ideal Gas Law equation of state
4. Kinetic Molecular Theory
5. Work done by expanding gases.
6. The first law of thermodynamics
7. The second law of thermodynamics and heat engines
8. Heat transfer
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Criteria Rubrics
Achievement
Level Descriptors
level
0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.
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Criterion B – Inquiring and Designing
Achievement
Level Descriptors
level
0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.
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Criterion C – Processing and Evaluating
Achievement
Level Descriptors
level
0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.
The student is able to:
i. Collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
ii. Interpret data
1-2 iii. State the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. State the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. State improvements or extensions to the method.
The student is able to:
i. Correctly collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
ii. Accurately interpret data and explain results
3-4 iii. Outline the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. Outline the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. Outline improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific
investigation.
The student is able to:
i. Correctly collect, organize and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
ii. Accurately interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning
5-6 iii. Discuss the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. Discuss the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. Describe improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific
investigation.
The student is able to:
i. Correctly collect, organize, transform and present data in numerical and/ or visual forms
ii. Accurately interpret data and describe results using correct scientific reasoning
7-8 iii. Evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. Evaluate the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. Explain improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific
investigation.
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Criterion D - Reflecting the Impacts of Science
Achievement
Level Descriptors
level
0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.
The student is able to:
i. Outline the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or
issue
ii. Outline the implications of using science and its application to solve a specific problem
1-2
or issue, interacting with a factor
iii. Apply scientific language to communicate understanding but does so with limited
success
iv. Document sources, with limited success.
The student is able to:
i. Summarize the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem
or issue
3-4 ii. Describe the implications of using science and its application to solve a specific
problem or issue, interacting with a factor
iii. Sometimes apply scientific language to communicate understanding
iv. Sometimes document sources correctly.
The student is able to:
i. Describe the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or
issue
5-6 ii. Discuss and analyse the implications of using science and its application to solve a
specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor
iii. Usually apply scientific language to communicate understanding clearly and precisely
iv. Usually document sources correctly.
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The student is able to:
i. Explain the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or
issue
ii. Discuss and evaluate the implications of using science and its application to solve a
7-8
specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor
iii. Consistently apply scientific language to communicate understanding clearly and
precisely
iv. Document sources completely.
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Science Project
The science project is one where you choose a topic of your own choice in one of the
following areas (#generationIB domains):
You will be investigating a solution to a certain problem in which ever field you choose
and the outcome of your project needs to be either a new solution that no one has created before
OR an improved version of an existing solution.
1. Part A: Investigation
2. Part B: Planning
3. Part C: Taking Action
4. Part D: Reflection
Part A: Investigation:
You will conduct a research (using the 6 research steps described later in this guide) on
the following:
In your paper you need to include why you chose this specific problem to solve.
Required output: Research paper
Assessed Criteria: A and D
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Part B: Planning
You will be required to design an investigation (you could follow the guide described
later on in this guide) to test your solution to the problem which includes:
1. Hypothesis
2. Variables
3. Material
4. Method
Required output: Investigation design
Assessed Criterion: B
Assessed Criterion: C
Part D: Reflection
In this report you are required to write a reflective essay on the following:
1. What you have learnt (About the problem and through your solution)?
2. The skills have you developed
3. How has the project changed you?
4. Description of the IB learner Profile attributes you have developed throughout this
project.
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Project Assessment
The following table shows the criteria and ATL skills that will be assessed in each part of
the Project:
Research Skills :
Information
Part A: Investigation Research Paper Criterion A & D
literacy
Communication
Critical thinking
Part B: Planning Investigation design Criterion B
Creative thinking
Communication
Part D: Reflection Final report All Criteria
Reflective
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Science Project Timeline:
The project is divided into parts where you will need to submit the required task
according to the following due dates.
Note that some projects will be selected to participate in the GPIS science fair and will be eligible
to take part in International Science Fairs as well.
(Feedback will be given after each submission before the next part is assigned)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Keep all documents in a portfolio as evidence of the process you are going through, this
will help you write your final report.
Take pictures and/or videos of you making your product and conducting your experiment.
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Submitting Tasks
Before submitting any task, evaluate your work and give yourself a grade according to the
corresponding rubric.
Plagiarism report
(or any other that you know) send the report by email with the soft copy and print it to
At the beginning of the year, you will submit a draft for your first task only (for each
criterion (B, C & D). For this task, you will be given feedback and a chance to improve your
grade. Once receive feedback, a dead-line will be given to re-submit your final task. Again you
will be required to submit both a hard and soft copy as mentioned above, along with your first
draft.
For the tasks that follow there will be no drafts, however, you will be given feedback that
If you fail to submit the task on the assigned due date, you will be required to submit the task
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If you have a valid reason for not submitting the assigned task on the due date (due to
sickness, competitions etc.), kindly ask your parents to send an email to both your teacher and
administration explaining this reason, and an extension of the due date will be considered.
1. Basic Formats
Font “Times New Roman”
Font size 12
Spacing 2.0 (Double Space)
One space between title and introduction paragraph
2. Cover Page
Name
Title of Task
Class
Date
Name of your teacher
3. In-text citation
Are all quotes cited?
Are all paraphrases cited?
4. References
Separate Page
All sources included
Alphabetically ordered
APA format
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Criterion B – Guide to designing a scientific investigation
Title:
Give the investigation a clear title describing the general topic of your investigation.
Problem/Research question: (B i)
Phrase a question where you mention the independent and dependent variables.
Hypothesis: (B ii)
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Variables: (B iii)
To design a reliable scientific investigation, you must only change one variable at a time.
variable)
c. State the variable you will measure the effect of the independent variable on
(dependent variable)
d. Describe how you will measure it accurately in numerical values (Observations are
not acceptable)
e. State the other variables (at least 5 the more the better) that you will keep the same
f. Describe how you will keep these variables controlled throughout the experiment.
(Note: you would find it better to organize the controlled variables in the form of a
table)
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Experimental Method: (B iv)
Design a logical and complete method, showing the materials and equipment you
have selected.
Describe safety procedures that have to be taken into account such as;
contact with eyes, wear gloves and handle with care. Notify your teacher or lab
Labelled Diagrams will often help you explain set ups of equipment
(dependent variables)
check that your plan actually works. You might need to alter
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Criterion C – Guide to processing and evaluating a scientific investigation
Once you have collected data from your investigation, you need to process it to make
Results (C (i))
Raw data (data collected from the investigation) needs to be placed in a well-labelled
Converted data (obtained through calculations made to the raw data) needs to be placed
Draw a line graph of your results. Remember, Independent variable is placed on the X-
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Evaluating Hypothesis
conclusion.
Be very critical when evaluating the method, the method should be logical and complete,
Describe any limitations in the method that lead to any inaccuracies in the results.
Discuss whether the results are valid enough to answer the question for the
investigation.
Discuss any mistakes that have led to any inaccuracies (either in method or
Discuss the controlled variables and whether they have been controlled in the
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Improvements and Extensions (C (v))
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Research Tasks – Research Steps
Cite the sources in APA format (The longer citation will be used in the bibliography and
the shorter citation will be placed within the product (either essay, power point etc.))
Reflect on your guiding questions, add more questions if you feel that you need more
5- Bibliography
6- Self-evaluation
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For Criterion D you are required to evaluate the impacts of scientific solutions on one or more
of the following factors. The table below contains descriptions of each factor:
Factor Description
Patterns of knowledge, behaviour, beliefs, shared attitudes, values, goals
Cultural
and practices that characterize groups of people
Economic Production, distribution, and use of income, wealth, and commodities
Environmental Circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded
Process of rational inquiry to decide on issues as right or wrong, as applied
Ethical
to the people and their actions.
Moral Principles of right or wrong behaviour derived from a particular society
Political Relates to government or public affairs
Interactions between groups of people involving issues such as welfare,
Social
safety, rights, justice or class.
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