Science Investigation Rubric

Excellent (5 pts) Good (4 pts) Satisfactory (3 pts) Needs Improvement (2 pts)

Question / Purpose The purpose of the lab or the The purpose of the lab or the question The purpose of the lab or the question The purpose of the lab or the
question to be answered during the to be answered during the lab is to be answered during the lab is question to be answered during
lab is clearly identified and stated. identified, but is stated in a somewhat partially identified, and is stated in a the lab is erroneous or
unclear manner. somewhat unclear manner. irrelevant.
Hypothesis Hypothesized relationship between Hypothesized relationship between the Hypothesized relationship between the No hypothesis has been stated.
the variables and the predicted variables and the predicted results is variables and the predicted results has
results is clear and reasonable reasonable based on general knowledge been stated, but appears to be based on
based on what has been studied. and observations. flawed logic.
Experimental Experimental design is a well- Experimental design is adequate to test Experimental design is relevant to the Experimental design is not
Design constructed test of the stated the hypothesis, but leaves some hypothesis, but is not a complete test. relevant to the hypothesis.
hypothesis. unanswered questions.
Variables Variables are correctly identified as Variables are correctly identified Variables are identified. Variables are not identified.
independent or dependent. The relationship between the variables The relationship between the variables
The relationship between the is discussed. is not discussed.
variables is discussed.
Materials / Setup All materials and setup used in the Almost all materials and the setup used Most of the materials and the setup used Many materials are described
experiment are clearly and in the experiment are clearly and in the experiment are accurately inaccurately or are not
accurately described. accurately described. described. described at all.
Procedures Procedures are listed in clear steps. Procedures are listed in a logical order, Procedures are listed but are not in a Procedures do not accurately
Each step is numbered and is a but steps are not numbered and/or are logical order or are difficult to follow. list the steps of the experiment.
complete sentence. not in complete sentences.
Data Accurate representation of the data Accurate representation of the data in Accurate representation of the data in Data are not shown OR are
in tables and/or graphs that are tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables written form, but no graphs or tables are inaccurate.
labeled and titled. are presented. presented.
Conclusion Conclusion includes whether the Conclusion includes whether the Conclusion includes what was learned No conclusion was included in
findings supported the hypothesis, findings supported the hypothesis and from the experiment. the report OR shows little effort
possible sources of error, and what what was learned from the experiment. and reflection.
was learned from the experiment.
Safety Lab is carried out with full Lab is generally carried out with Lab is carried out with some attention Safety procedures were ignored
attention to relevant safety attention to relevant safety procedures. to relevant safety procedures. The set- and/or some aspect of the
procedures. The set-up, The set-up, experiment, and teardown up, experiment, and teardown posed no experiment posed a threat to the
experiment, and teardown posed posed no safety threat to any individual, safety threat to any individual, but safety of the student or others.
no safety threat to any individual. but one safety procedure needs to be several safety procedures need to be
reviewed. reviewed.
Participation Used time well in lab and focused Used time pretty well. Stayed focused Did the lab but did not appear very Participation was minimal OR
attention on the experiment. on the experiment most of the time. interested. Focus was lost on several student was hostile about
occasions. participating.
TOTAL SCORE________________out of possible 50.