Science Lab Report Rubric

Science Lab Report Rubric

Name: _______________________________


	A service of the Utah Education Network Comments, e-mail: resources@uen.org

	Excellent	Good	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement
Components of the Report	All required elements are present and additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added.	All required elements are present.	One required element is missing, but additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added.	Several required elements are missing.
Question / Purpose	The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is clearly identified and stated.	The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is identified, but is stated in a somewhat unclear manner.	The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is partially identified, and is stated in a somewhat unclear manner.	The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is erroneous or irrelevant.
Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar	One or fewer errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.	Two or three errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.	Four errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.	More than four errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.
Drawings / Diagrams	Clear, accurate diagrams are included and make the experiment easier to understand. Diagrams are labeled neatly and accurately.	Diagrams are included and are labeled neatly and accurately.	Diagrams are included and are labeled.	Needed diagrams are missing OR are missing important labels.
Participation	Used time well in lab and focused attention on the experiment.	Used time pretty well. Stayed focused on the experiment most of the time.	Did the lab but did not appear very interested. Focus was lost on several occasions.	Participation was minimal OR student was hostile about participating.
Error Analysis	Experimental errors, their possible effects, and ways to reduce errors are discussed.	Experimental errors and their possible effects are discussed.	Experimental errors are mentioned.	There is no discussion of errors.
Procedures	Procedures are listed in clear steps. Each step is numbered and is a complete sentence.	Procedures are listed in a logical order, but steps are not numbered and/or are not in complete sentences.	Procedures are listed but are not in a logical order or are difficult to follow.	Procedures do not accurately list the steps of the experiment.
Journal / Notebook	Clear, accurate, dated notes are taken regularly.	Dated, clear, accurate notes are taken occasionally.	Dated, notes are taken occasionally, but accuracy of notes might be questionable.	Notes rarely taken or of little use.
Background Sources	Several reputable background sources were used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.	A few reputable background sources are used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words.	A few background sources are used and cited correctly, but some are not reputable sources. Material is translated into student's own words.	Material is directly copied rather than put into student's own words and/or background sources are cited incorrectly.
Summary	Summary describes the skills learned, the information learned and some future applications to real life situations.	Summary describes the information learned and a possible application to a real life situation.	Summary describes the information learned.	No summary is written.
Calculations	All calculations are shown and the results are correct and labeled appropriately.	Some calculations are shown and the results are correct and labeled appropriately.	Some calculations are shown and the results labeled appropriately.	No calculations are shown OR results are inaccurate or mislabeled.
Materials / Setup	All materials and setup used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described.	Almost all materials and the setup used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described.	Most of the materials and the setup used in the experiment are accurately described.	Many materials are described inaccurately OR are not described at all.
Conclusion	Conclusion includes whether the findings supported the hypothesis, possible sources of error, and what was learned from the experiment.	Conclusion includes whether the findings supported the hypothesis and what was learned from the experiment.	Conclusion includes what was learned from the experiment.	No conclusion was included in the report OR shows little effort and reflection.
Variables	The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed. Predictions are made about what might happen if part of the lab were changed or how the experimental design could be changed.	The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed.	The relationship between the variables is discussed but no patterns, trends or predictions are made based on the data.	The relationship between the variables is not discussed.
Safety	Lab is carried out with full attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual.	Lab is generally carried out with attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual, but one safety procedure needs to be reviewed.	Lab is carried out with some attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual, but several safety procedures need to be reviewed.	Safety procedures were ignored and/or some aspect of the experiment posed a threat to the safety of the student or others.
Replicability	Procedures appear to be replicable. Steps are outlined sequentially and are adequately detailed.	Procedures appear to be replicable. Steps are outlined and are adequately detailed.	All steps are outlined, but there is not enough detail to replicate procedures.	Several steps are not outlined AND there is not enough detail to replicate procedures.
Scientific Concepts	Report illustrates an accurate and thorough understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab.	Report illustrates an accurate understanding of most scientific concepts underlying the lab.	Report illustrates a limited understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab.	Report illustrates inaccurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab.
Experimental Design	Experimental design is a well-constructed test of the stated hypothesis.	Experimental design is adequate to test the hypothesis, but leaves some unanswered questions.	Experimental design is relevant to the hypothesis, but is not a complete test.	Experimental design is not relevant to the hypothesis.
Data	Professional looking and accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled.	Accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled.	Accurate representation of the data in written form, but no graphs or tables are presented.	Data are not shown OR are inaccurate.
Appearance / Organization	Lab report is typed and uses headings and subheadings to visually organize the material.	Lab report is neatly handwritten and uses headings and subheadings to visually organize the material.	Lab report is neatly written or typed, but formatting does not help visually organize the material.	Lab report is handwritten and looks sloppy with cross-outs, multiple erasures and/or tears and creases.
Experimental Hypothesis	Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results is clear and reasonable based on what has been studied.	Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results is reasonable based on general knowledge and observations.	Hypothesized relationship between the variables and the predicted results has been stated, but appears to be based on flawed logic.	No hypothesis has been stated.