Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing

Creating Laboratory Investigations

Achievem
ent level

Level descriptor
The student is able to
The student does not reach a
standard identified by any of the
descriptors below.

You did not reach a standard

described by any of the
descriptors below.

i. state a problem or question to be

tested by a scientific investigation,
with limited success

i. give a problem or question with

no explanation and is difficult to
follow

ii. state a testable hypothesis

12

iii. state the variables

iv. design a method, with limited
success.

i. state a problem or question to be

tested by a scientific investigation

34

56

I can

ii. outline a testable hypothesis

using scientific reasoning
iii. outline how to manipulate the
variables, and state how relevant
data will be collected
iv. design a safe method in which
he or she selects materials and
equipment.
i. outline a problem or question to
be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. outline and explain a testable
hypothesis using scientific
reasoning
iii. outline how to manipulate the
variables, and outline how
sufficient, relevant data will be
collected
iv. design a complete and safe
method in which he or she selects
appropriate materials and
equipment.

ii. give a hypothesis with no

explanation
give variables without explanation
iii. design a process for an
experiment that is difficult to
follow
i. give a problem or question with
no explanation
ii. briefly write how my scientific
hypothesis is supported by
science.
iii. briefly explain how to change
variables
iv. create a process for my
experiment by that is safe and
choose my own materials for it.
i. briefly explain the problem or
question.
ii. explain a hypothesis that is
supported by science.
iii. briefly write how variables are
changed, and briefly write how
the data is collected
iv. create a process that requires
no further questions, is safe, and
select my own materials.

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i. describe a problem or question to

be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. outline and explain a testable
hypothesis using correct scientific
reasoning
iii. describe how to manipulate the
variables, and describe how
sufficient, relevant data will be
collected
iv. design a logical, complete and
safe method in which he or she
selects appropriate materials
and equipment.

i. give a detailed account of the

problem or question.
ii. explain in detail a hypothesis
that is supported by science
iii. give a detailed account of how
to manipulate variables.
iv. create a specific method that
does not require any further
questions, is safe and select my
own materials.

Command Terms:
Describe

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or

process.

Explain

Give a detailed account including reasons and causes. (See also

Justify.)

Justify

Show or prove to be right or reasonable

Logical

characterized by or capable of clear, sound reasoning.

Outline

Give a brief account.

Recall

Remember or recognize from prior learning experiences.

Safe

protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed

or lost.

State

Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or

calculation.

Maximum: 8
At the end of year 3, students should be able to:
describe a problem or question to be tested by a scientific
investigation
outline a testable hypothesis and explain it using scientific
reasoning
describe how to manipulate the variables, and describe how data
will be collected
design scientific investigations.