SCIENCE LAB REPORT RUBRIC

 

SCIENCE PROCESS

 

 

EXCEEDING THE STANDARD

MEETING THE STANDARD

APPROACHING THE STANDARD

NOT MEETING THE STANDARD

PURPOSE

§    Uses scientific vocabulary to accurately explain to the reader the purpose(focus) of the lab

§    Uses a complete sentence to accurately explain to the reader the purpose (focus) of the lab

 

§    Purpose (focus) statement is not accurate or is not in a complete sentence

§    Purpose (focus) statement is very confusing to the reader or is not related to the lab

BACKGROUND

INFORMATION

§    Includes a detailed paragraph describing any prior knowledge related to the topic of the lab.

§    Includes outside research

§    Includes a detailed paragraph describing any prior knowledge related to the topic of the lab

§    Includes a paragraph describing some prior knowledge related to the topic of the lab

§    Very little prior knowledge is described or information is not directly related to the topic of the lab

HYPOTHESIS

§    Uses scientific vocabulary to make an “If …then” statement that clearly predicts what the outcome of the lab will be

§    Prediction is reasonable and demonstrates insightful thinking

§    Uses an “If…then” statement that clearly predicts what the outcome of the lab will be

§    Prediction is reasonable

§    Prediction statement predicts the outcome of the lab but is not in the correct “If…then” format

§    Prediction is not reasonable

§    Prediction statement is confusing or unrelated to the lab

 

 

PROCEDURE

§    Includes everything listed in “meeting standard”

§    Includes detailed, labeled diagrams where appropriate

§    Includes safety tips and guidelines

§    States, in a clear and logical order, the steps your group took to complete the lab. Steps include enough detail to make the lab repeatable

§    Procedure clearly shows control of major variables

§    Includes a list of necessary materials

§    Procedure is:

- Unorganized      and/or

- Lacks enough detail to make the lab repeatable

§    Some major variables are overlooked

§    Materials list is missing 1-2 items

 

 

 

 

§    Procedure is very incomplete, confusing, or difficult to follow

§    No evidence of controlling variables

§    Materials list is missing several items

DATA AND/OR OBSERVATIONS

§    Includes everything listed in “meeting standard”

§    Student goes above and beyond by summarizing results and identifying trends

§    Data is represented in a table and/or graph using a computer program such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.

(when appropriate)

§    Data is represented in an organized table, graph, illustration, etc.

§    Data is accurate

§    Units/labels are included

§    Calculations, when appropriate, are shown

§    Some data is missing or unorganized and/or graph is incomplete or sloppy

§    Some data is incorrect

§    Some units/labels are missing

§    Some calculations (when appropriate) are missing

§    Most data is missing

§    Data representation is very unorganized

§    Most data is incorrect

§    Most units/labels are missing

§    Most calculations (when appropriate) are missing

 

 

SCIENCE CONCEPTS

 

EXCEEDING THE STANDARD

MEETING THE STANDARD

APPROACHING THE STANDARD

NOT MEETING THE STANDARD

CONCLUSION

 

(APPLICATION AND ANALYSIS)

§    Includes everything listed in “meeting standard”

§    Discusses how the identified sources of error could effect the outcome of the lab

§    Includes information not presented in class

§    Contains new questions about the topic and/or suggestions to improve or further build upon this experiment

 

§    Claims answer the focus question accurately and clearly

§    Claims are supported by specific examples from the data as evidence

§    Restates hypothesis and connects to the purpose(focus) of the lab

§    States whether the hypothesis was supported or not supported by the data and explains why

§    Demonstrates that student clearly understands all major concepts associated with the lab

§    Discusses/identifies relevant sources of error

§    Applies information to the real world

§    Accurately uses related/appropriate scientific vocabulary

 

§    Claims do not answer the focus question accurately or clearly

§    Evidence to support claims is not specific or is not taken directly from the data

§    Hypothesis is restated but is not connected to the purpose (focus) of the lab

§    States whether the hypothesis was supported or not supported by the data

§    Demonstrates that student understands some of the concepts associated with the lab

§    Sources of error that are discussed are not relevant

§    Limited use of scientific vocabulary

§    Claims are unrelated to the focus question or are very confusing to the reader

§    Evidence provided does not support claims or evidence is missing altogether

§    Hypothesis is not referred to

§    Demonstrates that the student does not understand the concepts associated with the lab

§    Sources of error are not discussed

§    No related scientific vocabulary used

 

 

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

 

EXCEEDING THE STANDARD

MEETING THE STANDARD

APPROACHING THE STANDARD

NOT MEETING THE STANDARD

PURPOSE

§    Focus (purpose) of the lab is clearly stated and consistently referred to throughout the report

§    Focus (purpose) of the lab is clearly stated and referred to in the report

§    Focus is stated initially, but is not referred to within the report

§    Focus for the report is unclear

ORGANIZATION

§    Uses a variety of transitions effectively

§    Writing is extremely well organized and is written in a logical sequence

§    Uses transitions effectively

§    Well organized and is written in a logical sequence

§    Uses few transitions

§    Writing is difficult to follow at times

§    Writing is not written in logical sequence and is extremely difficult to follow

VOICE

§    Accurately uses all related/appropriate scientific vocabulary

§    Uses a formal voice that is reflective of a scientist throughout the entire lab report

§    Accurately uses some related/appropriate scientific vocabulary

§    Uses a formal voice that is reflective of a scientist

§    Uses limited scientific

vocabulary or does not use the vocabulary accurately

§    Voice is not consistently reflective of a scientist

 

§    Fails to use scientific vocabulary

§    Voice is informal (not reflective of a scientist)

CONVENTIONS

§    Demonstrates mastery of grammar, usage, mechanics and spelling

§    Demonstrates control of grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling

§    Contains some intrusive errors in grammar, usage, mechanic, and spelling

§    Contains excessive intrusive errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling