Natural and Physical Sciences Rubric SLO 1 Demonstrate effective use of technologies appropriate to the task and discipline. 4 3 2 1 Use of technologies appropriate to the task and discipline Uses technology effectively to acquire valid data and demonstrates understanding of how the limitations of the data acquisition equipment affect the conclusions drawn from the data; uses technology to adequately communicate and effectively integrate the depth and breadth of information; or uses technology to processes/analyze information in such a way that new information is derived and draws valid conclusions that generalize beyond the specific situation. Uses technology effectively to acquire valid data and demonstrates understanding of the limitations of the data acquisition equipment (e.g. regarding the accuracy and precision of the measurements); uses technology to adequately communicate the depth and breadth of information; or uses technology to processes/analyze information in such a way that new information is derived and correctly interprets the derived information in the context of the specific situation. Uses technology effectively to acquire valid data, adequately communicate either the depth or breadth of information, or process/analyze information in such a way that new information is obtained. Uses technology to acquire data, inadequately communicate information, or create a representation of inputted information. SLO 2
Demonstrate the ability to locate sources when information is needed, and to evaluate the authenticity, validity, and reliability of resources applied to a specific purpose. 4 3 2 1 Locate the needed Information Locates relevant and highly valued information from the most appropriate sources. Locates predominantly relevant information from a variety of sources. Locates information with some relevance and quality but from limited and similar sources. Locates information randomly, retrieves sources that lack relevance and quality. Critically evaluate sources Demonstrates appropriate evaluation of the authenticity, validity, and reliability of sources. Demonstrates an appropriate evaluation of the authenticity or validity or reliability of sources. Demonstrates rudimentary evaluation of the authenticity or validity or reliability of sources. Shows an awareness of the concepts of authenticity, validity, and reliability of sources. SLO 10 Describe how the methods of science are used to generate new knowledge. 4 3 2 1 Elements of the Scientific Method Synthesizes various applications of the Scientific method to understand the generation of new knowledge The linkage of scientific method elements and new knowledge is clear but limited to specific approaches Can identify elements but they are not linked to the generation of new knowledge Demonstrates a misunderstanding of the elements of the scientific method Analysis/ Conclusions Organizes and synthesizes evidence to extrapolate logical conclusions Organizes evidence and creates well founded conclusions but does not exhibit the ability to extrapolate beyond the specific topic/situation Evidence is organized but reaches overly general or limited conclusions Evidence is unorganized, unrelated to the topic and/or generates an unsupportable conclusion SLO 11
Use knowledge and observations to formulate hypotheses, identify relevant variables and design experiments to test hypotheses. 4 3 2 1 Use knowledge and observations to formulate hypotheses, identify relevant variables and design experiments to test hypotheses. Designs an experiment to test the hypothesis, with detailed and complete procedures and methodology. Describes a simple experiment to test the hypothesis, but some elements of the procedure are vague. States a testable hypothesis, identifies relevant variables, including determining which variable is dependent and which is independent. Describes the key steps in the scientific method, including defining a hypothesis and distinguishing between dependent and independent variables. SLO 21 Develop concepts of accuracy, precision, and the role of repeatability in the acquisition of scientific data. 4 3 2 1 Develop concepts of accuracy, precision, and the role of repeatability Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the concepts of accuracy, precision, and repeatability in the acquisition of scientific data. Demonstrates adequate understanding of the concepts of accuracy, precision, and repeatability in the acquisition of scientific data. Demonstrates partial understanding of the concepts of accuracy, precision, and repeatability in the acquisition of scientific data. Demonstrates surface understanding of the concepts of accuracy, precision, and repeatability in the acquisition of scientific data.