Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive paragraph of background on the lab topic, using at least one outside source.

Proficient - Provides a paragraph of background on the lab topic, using at least one outside source. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a limited paragraph of background on the lab topic, using at least one outside source. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a paragraph of background on the lab topic; however, does not use at least one outside source, and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The paragraph of background on the lab topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and thoroughly identifies the main purpose(s) of the lab.

Proficient - Identifies the main purpose(s) of the lab. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially identifies the main purpose(s) of the lab. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the main purpose(s) of the lab; however, significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The main purpose(s) of the lab is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly states comprehensive hypotheses for all activities. 

Proficient - States hypotheses for all activities. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear. 

Basic - States limited hypotheses for all activities. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to state hypotheses for all activities; however, significant details are missing and entirely unclear. 

Non-Performance - The hypotheses for all activities are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and thoroughly describes materials and methods in all activities. 

Proficient - Describes materials and methods in all activities. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear. 

Basic - Partially describes materials and methods in all activities. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe materials and methods in all activities; however, significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of materials and methods in all activities is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes all required data tables and photographs.

Proficient - Includes most of the required data tables and photographs. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Includes some of required data tables and photographs. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include the required data tables and photographs; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The required data tables and photographs are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accepts or rejects each hypothesis, and thoroughly and clearly explains the reasoning behind those decisions.

Proficient - Accepts or rejects each hypothesis, and explains the reasoning behind those decisions. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Accepts or rejects each hypothesis, and minimally explains the reasoning behind those decisions. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Accepts or rejects each hypothesis, and attempts to explain the reasoning behind those decisions; however, significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The acceptance or rejection of each hypothesis and explanation of the reasoning behind those decisions are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and thoroughly states what important information was learned from the lab, citing at least one outside source.

Proficient - States what important information was learned from the lab, citing at least one outside source. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially states what important information was learned from the lab, citing at least one outside source. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to state what important information was learned from the lab; however, does not cite at least one outside source, and/or significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The statement of what important information was learned from the lab, citing at least one outside source is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies at least one challenge while doing the lab.

Proficient - N/A

Basic - N/A

Below Expectations - N/A

Non-Performance - The identification of at least one challenge while doing the lab is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Proposes a thorough and clear plan for future scientific research based upon new questions inspired by this lab activity.

Proficient - Proposes a plan for future research based upon new questions inspired by this lab activity. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Proposes a limited plan for future research based upon new questions inspired by this lab activity. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to propose a plan for future research; however, the plan is not based upon new questions inspired by this lab activity, and/or significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The proposal of a plan for future research based upon new questions inspired by this lab activity is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.