HOW THE WORLD WORKS

STUDENT-DEVELOPED RUBRIC
FOR FINAL ASSESSMENT
OUR THEME IS- How the world works
OUR CENTRAL IDEA IS- Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified,
tested, and used to explain the natural world
OUR LINES OF INQUIRY ARE
-How scientific investigation impacts society and the environment (Connection)
-Factors which inspire scientific research (Perspective)
-What the scientific method and design process entail (Form)
-Who is responsible for social and environmental changes resulting from research and
design (Responsibility)

How can be demonstrate our understanding of this central idea?

OUR SUMMATIVE TASK WILL BE to use the scientific method to investigate a
local/global problem of our choice. Alternately or in conjunction with the
investigation, we could choose to use the engineering/design process to develop a
solution to a local/global problem of our choice.

How can we measure our understanding of this central idea?

THE ELEMENTS WE WILL MEASURE WILL BE:

Element Exceeds? Meet Partial or does not?

Report/Essay Student submits essay that
meets requirements.

Sources Student submits properly

formatted bibliography.

Element Exceeds? Meet Partial or does not?

Independent Students do the work mostly
on their own, with some
appropriate support from
adults

Original Work Mostly original, might be

related to something already
done, not a stolen idea but
may improve on existing work

Addresses Problem does not have an

easy or existing fix already,
Actual achievable solution for a
Problem present/future problem
Quality of Appropriate quality for 5th
grade, followed scientific
Work method or
engineering/design process

Presented Legible, organized, edited,

attractive to the eye, student
Clearly and is knowledgeable, adapt
Effectively complexity for audience,
engaging

DUE DATES

Monday Tuesday Weds. Thursday Friday

17th 18th 19th 20th 21st
Choose Topic Notes and Hypothesis Design
/ Groups Sources Due Due Experiment
24th 25th 26th 27th 28th
Begin Materials List Procedure Field Trip Jog-a-Thon
Experiment Due Write-Up Due
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Essay outline Bibliography Essay Rough
Due Due Draft Due
8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Essay Final Science Fair! No School
Draft Due

Report/Essay Expectations
Handwritten outline, typed draft and final draft
Report consists of ten sections:
1. Title page
2. Abstract
a. An abstract is an abbreviated version of your final report
3. Table of contents
4. Question​, ​variables​, and ​hypothesis
5. Background research
a. The history of similar experiments or inventions
b. Definitions of all important words and concepts that describe your
experiment
c. Answers to all your background research plan questions
6. Materials list
7. Experimental procedure
a. An explanation of how the experiment was set up, including a detailed
list of procedures; may include illustrations
8. Data analysis​ and discussion
a. This section is a summary of what you found out in your experiment,
focusing on your observations, data table, and graphs
9. Conclusions
a. Interprets the results, noting successes, failures, and possible future
improvements or additional research
10. Bibliography
a. At least five sources listed in MLA format