Investigations in Biology and Chemistry

Investigations in Biology and Chemistry Rubric for Assessing Laboratory Experiences

Name: ______Class: ______

Performance
Levels

Criterion

/ Insufficient

Evidence

Approaches Standard

/ Achieves Standard /

Suggested Ways to

Exceed Standard

(in addition to meeting Achieves Standard for the given Rubric Item )

Understanding
the Purpose of the Experiment
(Introduction) / 1A. Explains the main purpose unclearly OR does not use own words / 1A. Explains the main purpose of the experiment clearly in own words / 1A. Explains the main purpose of the experiment clearly in own words, including how we will know if the purpose has been achieved / 1A. Identifies 2 or more additional purposes for conducting the experiment
1B. Creates a hypothesis that makes little sense OR is irrelevant to the testable question/ purpose / 1B. Creates a clearly-stated hypothesis that responds directly to the testable question BUT does not use or cite sources / 1B. Creates a clearly-stated hypothesis that responds directly to the testable question, AND uses and cites supporting background information / 1B. Uses 2 or more outside resources to support hypothesis
2. Attempts to identify assumptions but does so incorrectly / 2. Correctly identifies and explains some of the assumption(s) OR does not offer a correct rationale for proceeding with the experiment / 2. Correctly identifies the assumption(s) underlying the experiment, and offers a rationale for proceeding with the experiment / 2. Cites previous experiments based on the same assumptions
3. Attempts to identify identifies 1 limitation of the experimental question OR the purpose / 3. Correctly identifies 1 limitation of the experimental question OR the purpose / 3. Correctly identifies 2 limitations of the experimental question OR the purpose / 3. Defines a testable question to address one of the identified limitations

These skills align with NRC National Science Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry and Content Standard E: Science and Technology

Performance
Levels

Criterion

/ Insufficient

Evidence

Approaches Standard

/ Achieves Standard /

Suggested Ways to

Exceed Standard

(in addition to meeting Achieves Standard for the given Rubric Item )

Understanding
the Design of the Experiment
(Materials and Methods) / 1. Minimally or incorrectly diagrams or explains in words the need for/ function of all materials used in the experiment
(The Materials) / 1. Correctly diagrams or explains in words the need for/function of at least 75% of all materials used in the experiment
(The Materials) / 1. Correctly diagrams OR explains in words the need for/function of ALL materials used in the experiment
(The Materials) / 1. Suggests alternate instrumentation, equipment or methods that also would be appropriate for this laboratory activity
(The Materials)
2A. Minimally or incorrectly accounts for the purpose the steps of the Procedure
(The Methods) / 2A. Correctly accounts for the purpose of at least 75% of the steps of the Procedure
(The Methods) / 2A. Correctly accounts for the purpose of all steps of the procedure
(The Methods) / 2. Suggests an alternate purpose or testable question using similar materials and similar methods
(The Methods)
2B. Minimally or incorrectly explains the importance of the sequence of the steps in the Procedure
(The Methods) / 2B. Correctly explains the importance of the sequence of at least 75% of the steps in the Procedure
(The Methods) / 2B. Correctly explains the importance of the sequence of ALL the steps in the Procedure
(The Methods)
3. Predicts 1 or 2 sources of inherent error but does not provide logical explanations
(Materials and
Methods) / 3. Predicts 1 source of inherent error when conducting the experiment, explaining it logically
(Materials and Methods) / 3. Predicts 2 sources of inherent error when conducting the experiment, explaining both logically
(Materials and Methods) / 3. Suggests instrumentation, equipment or methods (currently existing or not) that would increase accuracy and/or precision in this experiment (Materials and Methods)

These skills align with NRC National Science Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry and Content Standard E: Science and Technology

Performance
Levels

Criterion

/ Insufficient

Evidence

Approaches Standard

/ Achieves Standard /

Suggested Ways to

Exceed Standard

(in addition to meeting Achieves Standard for the given Rubric Item )

Organizing and
Presenting Data
(Results) / There are no corresponding item descriptions for this criterion at this performance level / 1. Chooses organizer(s) appropriate to the data OR chooses appropriate increments for the organizer(s) / 1. Chooses organizer(s) that are most appropriate to the data AND chooses appropriate increments as necessary*
*Organizers may include: tables, graphs, and charts / 1. Creates 2 or more appropriate organizers to present all of the same data
1. Synthesizes the presentation of all data into a single appropriate organizer
2. Does not appropriately and completely includes titles, labels, headings, color-codes, or other parts of the organizer / 2. Appropriately and completely includes titles, labels, headings, color-codes, and other parts of the data organizer / 2-4. Uses appropriate computer software to present data
2-4. Provides ½ to 1 page narrative to present the data and the organizers
3. Does not report all gathered data in the experiment / 3. Reports all gathered data that is relevant in the experiment
4A. Either does not include all units OR does not include appropriate number of significant figures all quantitative measurements and calculations / 4A. Includes all units AND appropriate number of significant figures for all quantitative measurements and calculations
4B. Includes descriptions for all observable properties for all qualitative observations / 4B. Includes detailed descriptions for all observable properties for all qualitative observations

These skills align with NRC National Science Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry and Content Standard E: Science and Technology

Performance
Levels

Criterion

/ Insufficient

Evidence

Approaches Standard

/ Achieves Standard /

Suggested Ways to

Exceed Standard

(in addition to meeting Achieves Standard for the given Rubric Item )

Analyzing and Interpreting Data
(Discussion) / 1. Explains whether or not the purpose was achieved OR the original hypothesis was confirmed, referring to no data / 1. Explains whether or not the purpose was achieved OR the original hypothesis was confirmed, ignoring significant experimental data when defending position / 1. Explains whether or not the purpose was achieved OR the original hypothesis was confirmed, acknowledging ALL experimental data by correctly explaining what the results show or don’t show and why / 1. Compares and Contrasts another groups’ data, making a case for own data
2. Correctly completes 1 of the “Achieves Standard” requirements / 2. Correctly completes 2 of the “Achieves Standard” requirements / 2. Correctly calculates % error (when accepted value is known) AND explains how results are impacted by inherent error AND by limited human mistakes / 2. Repeats the same experiment to reduce % error and/or eliminate human mistakes
3. Attempts 1 or both of the “Achieves Standard” requirements / 3. Correctly completes 1 of the “Achieves Standard” requirements / 3. Relates scientific concepts used in this lab directly to the experimental results AND to the overall Strand / 3. Relates same concept to other Strands, or explains another lab groups’ data and what they do or do not show
4. Offers 1 new testable question or purposes that is not directly related outcomes of this experience / 4. Offers 1 new testable question or purposes directly related to outcomes of this experience / 4. Offers 2 new testable questions or purposes directly related to outcomes of this experience / 4. Takes one of the new testable questions and outlines a design for a new experiment

These skills align with NRC National Science Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry and Content Standard E: Science and Technology