Controlled Experiments

Essential Element

0

1

2

3

4

Project Design
(See Project Design Diagram)

None present

3 or more components listed in #3 è
missing, incomplete, or vague.

1-2 components listed in #3 è
missing, incomplete, or vague.

Includes clearly stated:
1) Problem question (I.V. & D.V.) appropriate for a controlled experiment
2) Hypothesis
3) Levels of the I.V.
4) Appropriate constants and control group.

All of # 3 stated in detail; appropriate number of levels of I.V. at logical or consistent intervals.

Investigative Procedures

None stated

Three or four components listed in #3 è
missing or inadequate.

One or two components listed in #3 è
missing or inadequate.

1) Adequate procedure that is appropriate to answer problem question; 2) metric-based materials list; 3) uses appropriate techniques and tools to gather data, 4) minimum of three trials/samples.

All components in #3 with elaboration of procedures detailing how and when all materials were used; sufficient trials/samples to establish confidence.

Conceptual Understanding

None

Has only one of the three components listed in #3 è
Or weak application of all three.

Has two of the three components listed in #3 è
Or weak application of one or more components.

1) Project related to key concepts in life, earth, and/or physical science appropriate for the grade level; 2) uses those concepts to accurately explain predictions/hypotheses; 3) relates conceptual understanding to results/conclusion.

All of # 3 plus represents key concepts in multiple ways: words, charts, diagrams, artwork, models, etc.

Data Collection

Not present

Has only one of the three components listed in #3. è

Has two of the three components listed in #3. è

1) Quantitative data collection; 2) qualitative data or other observations; 3) organized in charts or tables.

All of # 3 plus detailed data collection in charts, tables or logs, clearly defined, labeled, consistent.

Data Analysis & Conclusions

None stated

2 or more components listed in # 3 è
missing, incomplete, or vague.

One component listed in #3è
missing, incomplete, or vague.

1) Analysis includes mean, mode, median, or range, and 2) accurate, labeled graph. 3) Conclusion incorporates concept development, results of investigation, and hypothesis, and recommendations for further study.

Includes all of # 3 plus conclusion written in clear, organized expository style.

Display

No display

2 or more Essential Elements: missing, or labels don’t match content.

One Essential Element: missing or labels and content don’t match.

All Essential Elements present; labels and content match; recognizable organization.

All of # 3 plus clean, neat, eye-catching display board appropriately decorated.

Oral Presentation

None

Meets 1 or none of the components listed in #3.è

Meets 2 of the components listed in #3.è

1) Stays on topic; 2) clearly describes problem, design, results, conclusion; 3) stays within time limit (3-8 minutes).

All of # 3 plus clearly structured delivery with introduction, development, conclusion.