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 Activity One. 

Proficient - States hypotheses for Activity One. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear. 

Basic - States limited hypotheses for Activity One. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear. 

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

Non-Performance - The hypotheses for Activity One 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 - Accepts or rejects hypotheses, and thoroughly explains the reasoning behind those decisions.

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

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

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

Non-Performance - The acceptance or rejection of hypotheses 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 the thorough and clear next step(s) a scientist might take to determine how microbes might be used to clean up oil spills to better safeguard fish populations based on the results of the lab 2.

Proficient - Proposes the next step(s) a scientist might take to determine how microbes might be used to clean up oil spills to better safeguard fish populations based on the results of the lab. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Proposes some next step(s) a scientist might take to determine how microbes might be used to clean up oil spills to better safeguard fish populations based on the results of the lab. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Proposes the next step(s) a scientist might take to determine how microbes might be used to clean up oil spills to better safeguard fish populations; however, the next steps are not based on the results of the lab, and/or significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The proposal of the next step(s) a scientist might take to determine how microbes might be used to clean up oil spills to better safeguard fish populations based on the results of the lab 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 - 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.