Science Fair Rubric
Student’s name ______________ ________Parent’s Signature: _____________
There are seven steps required to complete a Science Fair project. Below are the expectations. Please note that
each step has its own due date and is equally weighted. Do not wait to begin.
1= far below grade level 2= below grade level 3= at grade level 4= above grade level
1. Question (What do you want to find out?)
Date Due: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 (may be revised up to Jan. 20)
Student’s question
cannot be translated
into an experiment.
1
With some assistance,
the question can be
translated into a
question
2
Question can become a
good scientific
experiment
Question will translate
into a challenging
experiment.
3
4
Example of a three: “What would happen if a flower is put in colored water?”
2. Hypothesis (What do you think will happen? Or what do you want to show?)
Date Due: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 (may be revised up to Feb. 10th)
Hypothesis has little or
no connection to the
question.
Hypothesis has vague
connections to the
project and is showing
some evidence of
reasonability.
1
2
Hypothesis is a solid
educated guess that is
related to the question
3
Hypothesis is a solid
educated guess that is
related to the question
and includes very
specific details.
4
Example of a three: “I think that when a flower is put into colored water, the flower petals will
change colors.”
3. Project Proposal (How will you go about doing this?)
Date Due: Wednesday Feb. 17, 2016
Missing many step or
details about the
experiment.
1
Missing some steps or
pieces of the
experiment. May be
vague.
All steps and pieces of
the experiment are well
thought out with plan
of action and needed
materials.
All steps and pieces of
the experiment are well
thought out with plan
of action and needed
materials are all
present in very specific
detail.
2
3
4
A “three” must have a material list and a plan of action (how the experiment will be conducted).
Explain the steps that will need to be done.
4. Journal or Notes (A record of all you have done.)
Date Due: Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Little or no information
or observations
recorded.
1
Some observations or
information with very
little elaboration.
2
All steps, information,
and observations are
recorded by date and
with some details.
All steps, information,
and observations are
recorded by date and
with very specific
details.
3
4
A “three” must have all information collected and observed recorded by date with some explanation.
The student is to record what they did.
5. Report (What did happen? What is the science?)
Date Due: Week of Monday, April 4, 2016
Many flaws in the
explanation. There is
no research to support
with evidence.
1
Beginning to show
some understanding of
the science (why?)
with some flaws. There
is some research to
support with evidence.
Well written report
with an explanation of
the science that is well
connected to the
experiment. There are
several supporting
references to research
that proves with
evidence the
connection of the
results to science.
Well written report
with an explanation
with greater detail of
the science that is well
connected to the
experiment. There are
many supporting
references to research
that proves with
evidence the
connection of the
results to science.
2
3
4
A “three” should have evidence of research and show a good understanding of the science that was observed in
the experiment. It should also be well written showing evidence of supporting science research.
6. Display (How will you show this in the Science Faire?)
Date Due: Week of Monday, April 11, 2016
Many parts of the
display missing.
1
Some parts missing or
incorrect.
All display elements
are present.
2
3
All display elements
are present with a
creative presentation.
4
A “three” should have all the required parts of the display (hypothesis, title, pictures, report,
procedures, etc.)
7. Oral Presentation (How will you present this to the judges?)
Date Due: Track A: Wed., April 13, 2016/ Track B: Friday., April 15, 2016
(Be ready to practice in front of class)
Simple explanation
Good explanation of Clear explanation of Excellent
of the procedures
the procedures with
the procedures and a demonstration and
with no
little understanding
good understanding
explanation of the
understanding of the of the experiment.
of the science.
procedures with a
experiment.
solid understanding
of the science.
1
2
3
4
A “three” should have a presentation prepared and ready for the judges that tells what
procedures the student went through, as well as show an understanding of the science that is
related to the project.
• Self Evaluation (How do you think you did?)
___________________________________________________________________________
Science Fair Project Due on: Monday, April 18, 2016
Science Fair Judging on Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Overall Grade:_________________
1= far below grade level 2= below grade level 3= at grade level 4= above grade level