Self-Assessment Mastery Rubric

4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported or not. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same. You should also repeat your experiments several times to make sure that the first results weren't just an accident.

Task #4F: Self-Assessment Mastery Rubric

Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

*Proficient is the goal for most students

Use this mastery rubric to check your learning for each skill or concept in this section of your science project. Identify which level you think you are currently at, add notes about why you think you're at that level, and plan what you can do to improve and take your project to the next level.

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Skill/Concept	1 - Beginning	2 - Developing	3 - Proficient*	4 - Extending	Assessment + Notes
Materials List	The materials list is incomplete, unclear, or lacks specificity.	The materials list is partially complete but may miss important items or lack specificity.	The materials list is complete, specific, and clear, customized to the specific project question.	The materials list is thorough, highly specific, clear, and precisely customized to the specific project question.	Select: Notes:
Materials Planning	Does not plan ahead for all necessary materials, resulting in potential delays or missing items during the experiment.	Attempts to plan for necessary materials but misses some items or lacks detail in the list, potentially causing issues during the experiment.	Plans ahead effectively, ensuring that all necessary materials are listed with specificity and are available before starting the experiment.	Demonstrates excellent planning by creating a highly detailed and specific materials list, ensuring all items are available and accounted for well in advance of the experiment.	Select: Notes:
Experimental Procedure: Reproducibility	Procedure lacks sufficient detail to be reproducible by someone else.	Procedure includes some detail but may still be difficult for someone else to reproduce exactly.	Provides a detailed, step-by-step procedure that is easily reproducible.	Provides a comprehensive, step-by-step procedure that is fully reproducible.	Select: Notes:
Experimental Procedure: Explanation of Variables	Provides a vague procedure that does not clearly explain how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, or keep controlled variables constant.	Provides a procedure that explains how to change the independent variable and measure the dependent variable, but may lack clarity or detail in keeping controlled variables constant.	Provides a clear procedure that explains how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and keep controlled variables constant with good detail.	Provides a detailed and precise procedure that thoroughly explains how to change the independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and keep controlled variables constant.	Select: Notes:
Experimental Procedure: Number of Trials	Provides a procedure with an insufficient number of trials, making the results unreliable.	Provides a procedure with a minimal number of trials, which may limit the reliability of the results.	Provides a procedure with an appropriate number of trials (at least three), ensuring reliable and valid results.	Provides a procedure with more than the minimum required number of trials, ensuring highly reliable and valid results.	Select: Notes:
Experimental & Control Groups	Struggles to identify and describe the experimental groups and the control group, with significant errors or omissions. Descriptions are vague or unclear, lacking detail and specificity.	Identifies the experimental groups and the control group, but with some errors or incomplete identification. Descriptions are general but lack some detail and clarity.	Correctly identifies the experimental groups and the control group. Descriptions are clear and detailed, including their roles in the experiment.	Correctly and confidently identifies the experimental groups and the control group without any errors. Descriptions are comprehensive and precise, thoroughly explaining their roles and significance in the experiment.	Select: Notes:
Data Table Creation	Creates a basic data table that lacks sections to record the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group. Does not include space to collect data for each trial or calculate averages.	Creates a data table with sections for the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group, but it may lack clarity or completeness. Includes space for some trials but may not include space to calculate averages.	Creates a clear and organized data table with sections for recording the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group. Includes space to collect data for each trial and calculate averages, if applicable.	Creates a comprehensive and well-organized data table with detailed sections for recording the dependent variable for each experimental group and control group. Includes ample space to collect data for each trial and accurately calculate averages, if applicable.	Select: Notes:
Lab Notebook Observations	Records minimal observations with little detail. Entries are inconsistent and lack clarity. No pictures are taken to document processes and observations.	Records general observations with some detail, but entries may be incomplete or inconsistent. Takes a few pictures to document the process and observations, but they may be unclear or incomplete.	Records detailed and consistent observations during experimentation. Entries are clear and well-organized. Takes clear and relevant pictures to document the process and observations.	Records comprehensive and meticulous observations with high consistency. Entries are exceptionally clear, detailed, and well-organized. Takes numerous, clear, and relevant pictures to thoroughly document the process and observations.	Select: Notes:
Procedure Adherence and Adjustment	Frequently deviates from the procedure, resulting in uncontrolled variables. Rarely adjusts the procedure when needed and fails to document changes	Generally follows the procedure but with some inconsistencies. Occasionally adjusts the procedure when needed, but documentation of changes is incomplete or unclear.	Follows the procedure carefully, ensuring that controlled variables stay constant. Adjusts the procedure as needed and documents changes clearly and thoroughly.	Follows the procedure meticulously, ensuring controlled variables stay constant at all times. Proactively adjusts the procedure when needed and meticulously documents all changes with detailed explanations.	Select: Notes:

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