EnvironMentors 100 Point Grading Rubric Assignment 1: Student and Mentor Meeting Commitment Form= 5 points (2.5 pt. each)
Complete form and turn in by designated due date. Completed form includes both student and mentor signatures. Assignment 2: Project Topic Form= 5 points (1pt. each)
Develop a project topic of his or her personal interest, identifying the environmental issue, including root(s) of the problem that the project will address.
Describe the compelling need for the project in terms of importance to the community and the environment in approximately 100 words.
Clearly articulate in approximately 100 words the overall purpose and goals of the project that will be conducted using the Scientific Method to aid in investigation.
Pose an innovative and unique research question which to the best of his or her knowledge has never been addressed before. Write an Introduction for the Final Research Paper combining all the previous points using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate in a clear and concise manner. Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography= 10 points (2 pt. each)
Identify at least 3 credible books, professional journals, or newspaper or magazine articles related to project topic.
Identify at least 3 credible primary internet sources related to project topic.
Properly cite each source. Prepare a summary in paragraph form of 100-200 words for each source. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate in a clear and concise manner. Assignment 4: Expert Interview Notes= 10 points (2 pt. each) Research field experts and identify most realistic top choices. Contact 2-3 experts and set up an interview with at least 1. Develop a thoughtful list of questions for the interview and send questions to interviewee in advance. Before conducting the in-person interview, materials are prepared, and interviewer is dressed appropriately and on time. Write and send a thank you note to the interviewee.
Assignment 5: Background Research Paper= 10 points (2 pt. each) Paper is between 5-10 pages in length. Paper includes reference to the student’s Expert Interview, three primary internet sources, as well as three non-internet sources accompanied by proper citations. Summary of ideas for investigating student’s main topic are included. Presented research gives reader an idea of the direction of the research project, as well as initial hypothesis. Entire body of work has a clear flow in paragraph form, without outstanding grammatical errors. Assignment 6: Hypothesis Form= 5 points (2.5 pt. each)
Complete form and turn in by designated due date.
Completed form includes both Mentor and Chapter Coordinator’s initials. Assignment 7: Experimental Methods and Materials List= 10 points (2 pts each)
Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables including what quantity the student will measure, and how the measurements will be made.
Identify at least 3 experimental data sets and 1 control data set. Identify a study site or sites that are suitable to conduct his/her research. To what extent does the student demonstrate an understanding of the need to return to the same study site(s) to conduct multiple experimental trials? Write a detailed materials list including quantities, while also specifying items that might be difficult for the student to obtain. Describe his/her sampling techniques and methods. To what extent does he/she clearly outline experimental procedures that follow a logical and systematic sequence of events needed to collect necessary observations and data? Assignment 8: Raw Experimental Data= 5 points (2.5 pt. each)
Tables should be designed in an organized way that is easy to write in while actually collecting data in the field.
Record data in an organized way for all variables in the procedure, and any changes made to the procedure are noted. Meteorological conditions should be recorded for every specific day that data is collected. Assignment 9: Data Analysis= 5 points (2.5 pt. each)
Organize the data in a useful manner, creating graphs that show important trends in the data.
Properly calculate mean, median, and mode and any other important statistics for the data in a way that helps illuminate the significance of the experimental results. Assignment 10: Discussion and Conclusion= 5 pts (2.5 pt. each)
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Write a clear discussion about the experimental results that is 2-3 pages in length. Discussion includes information from all seven sections of the data interpretation worksheet.
Assignment 11: Final Research Paper= 10 points (1 pt. each) Each of the following sections is written in paragraph form, without severe grammatical errors, helping to give the entire body of work clear flow and an adequate length of approximately 1012 pages:
Title Page Abstract Introduction Background Research Experimental Method Results and Analysis Discussion and Conclusion References Acknowledgements Appendices
Assignment 12: Project Display Board= 10 points (2 pt. each) All required elements are displayed including: project title, abstract, problem statement, research question, hypothesis, experimental procedure, materials list, map(s) of study site(s) location, results (tables of data and observations as well as graphs and charts), discussion, conclusion, and acknowledgements. Required elements are displayed on board or poster in a clear and organized way. Display is visually appealing and creativity is demonstrated throughout. Individual conducts himself/herself professionally at the fair, including dressing appropriately for the event and discussing research topic with the judges. Extra items are displayed on table including: extra copies of Abstract for judges, final copy of Research Paper in a 3-ring binder, and student’s EnvironMentors manual with all raw data and project planning information. Assignment 13: Elementary School Visit Lesson Plan= 10 points (2 pt. each)
Student is prepared for lesson with planned activities and necessary materials to fill lesson time. Lesson plan includes an interactive activity that demonstrates creativity. Educational objective of the lesson is met, and the comprehensions of the elementary students are assessed.
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Student’s diction while teaching reflects age group’s maturity. Student is dressed appropriately and conducts him/herself professionally. Total Points Earned: _______
Total Possible Points: 100
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