Scientific Model Rubric
Scientists use models to explain the physical phenomena they investigate. We will use the graphic organizer to
create models that explain the physical phenomena we investigate. Our models will have four components:
verbal, visual, graphical and mathematical.
Verbal – A written/verbal explanation of the physical phenomenon that answers the objective(s) of the
investigation. Your experimental data should support your explanation. A verbal model is NOT a description or
explanation of what you did.
Visual – A sketch or drawing that explains the physical phenomenon and answers the objective(s) of the
investigation. You should use labels and/or captions to highlight key parts of the drawing. A visual model is NOT a
drawing of your experimental set-up.
Graphical – A graph or graphs that show the relationship between independent variable(s) on the dependent
variable.
Mathematical – A math equation or equations that show the relationship between independent variable(s) on the
dependent variable. Often, but not always, these math equations are a result of performing a regression analysis
of your experimental data.
All four components of the model must support and complement each other and your experimental data must
support all four components.
Grading
5 points – All four components of the model clearly and accurately explain the physical phenomenon and answer
the objective(s) of the investigation. The data supports all four components and the components complement
each other.
4.5 points - All four components of the model clearly and accurately explain the physical phenomenon and answer
the objective(s) of the investigation. The data supports all four components, but the four components are not
clearly linked to each other.
4 points - Three of the four components clearly and accurately explain the physical phenomenon. The data
supports all four components.
3 points – Two of the four components clearly and accurately explain the physical phenomenon. The data
supports all four components.
2 points – One of the four components clearly and accurately explain the physical phenomenon. The data
supports all four components.
1 point – The data does not support all four components.
0 points – Incomplete model.