Distinguished - Tables 1 and 2 are accurately completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation.

Proficient - Tables 1 and 2 are completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation. One minor error, which may include lack of units, is present in the tables.

Basic - Tables 1 and 2 are completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation. Two errors or omissions, which may include lack of units, are present in the tables.

Below Expectations - Tables 1 and 2 are completed based on data collected through laboratory experimentation. Three or more errors or omissions, which may include lack of units, are present in the tables.

Non-Performance - Fails to complete Tables 1 and 2.

Distinguished - Develops two logical hypotheses related to the effects of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water.

Proficient - Develops two mostly logical hypotheses related to the effects of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water. Minor errors in hypothesis format are present.

Basic - Develops two hypotheses related to the effects of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water. Major errors in hypothesis format are present.

Below Expectations - Develops two hypotheses related to the effects of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water. Hypotheses fail to properly address the experimental question.

Non-Performance - Fails to develop two hypotheses related to the effect of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water.

Distinguished - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and thoroughly explains how this was determined.

Proficient - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Minor details of the explanation are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Intermediate details of the explanation are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Explanation contradicts the acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis or major inaccuracies are present in the explanation.

Non-Performance - Fails to accept or reject the hypothesis proposed in Question 1.

Distinguished - Accurately and thoroughly predicts the effects of coal mining on the environment based on the data produced in the lab.

Proficient - Predicts the effects of coal mining on the environment based on the data produced in the lab. Although the response is thorough, minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Predicts the effects of coal mining on the environment based on the data produced in the lab. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Predicts the effects of coal mining on the environment based on the data produced in the lab. Major details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - Fails to predict the effects of coal mining on the environment based on the data produced in the lab.

Distinguished - Utilizes at least one scholarly source to propose at least two methods to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem.

Proficient - Utilizes at least one scholarly source to propose at least two methods to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Utilizes at least one scholarly source to propose at least two methods to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Utilizes at least one source to propose at least two methods to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem. Major details are missing or inaccurate, or the source is not appropriate or scholarly.

Non-Performance - Fails to propose methods to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem.

Distinguished - Develops four logical hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight under each condition.

Proficient - Develops four mostly logical hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight under each condition. Minor errors in hypothesis format are present.

Basic - Develops four hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight under each condition. Major errors in hypothesis format are present.

Below Expectations - Develops hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight under each condition. Hypotheses fail to properly address the experimental question.

Non-Performance - Fails to develop hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight under the four conditions.

Distinguished - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and thoroughly explains how this was determined.

Proficient - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Minor details of the explanation are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Accurately accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Intermediate details of the explanation are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Accepts or rejects the hypotheses proposed in Question 1 and explains how this was determined. Explanation contradicts the acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis or major inaccuracies are present in the explanation.

Non-Performance - Fails to accept or reject the hypotheses proposed in Question 1.

Distinguished - Accurately and thoroughly discusses whether increased exposure to sunlight produces more current and supports the answer with data from the experiment.

Proficient - Discusses whether increased exposure to sunlight produces more current and supports the answer with data from the experiment. Although the response is thorough, minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Discusses whether increased exposure to sunlight produces more current and supports the answer with data from the experiment. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Discusses whether increased exposure to sunlight produces more current, but may not support the answer with data from the experiment. Major details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - Fails to discuss whether increased exposure to sunlight produces more current and support the answer with data from the experiment.

Distinguished - Accurately and thoroughly discusses how to increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day when the sun’s angle is constantly changing.

Proficient - Discusses how to increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day when the sun’s angle is constantly changing. Although the response is thorough, minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Discusses how to increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day when the sun’s angle is constantly changing. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Discusses how to increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day when the sun’s angle is constantly changing. Major details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - Fails to discuss how to increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day when the sun’s angle is constantly changing.

Distinguished - Accurately and thoroughly describes whether adding filters to solar panels could increase the solar energy produced and supports the answer with data from the experiment.

Proficient - Describes whether adding filters to solar panels could increase the solar energy produced and supports the answer with data from the experiment. Although the response is thorough, minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Describes whether adding filters to solar panels could increase the solar energy produced and supports the answer with data from the experiment. Intermediate details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Describes whether adding filters to solar panels could increase the solar energy produced, but may not support the answer with data from the experiment. Major details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - Fails to describe whether adding filters to solar panels could increase the solar energy produced and support the answer with data from the experiment.

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 to reference sources.

Proficient - Uses APA formatting to reference sources. However, references contain minor errors.

Basic - Uses basic APA formatting to reference sources. However, references do not meet all APA requirements.

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

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