6th Grade Science Inquiry Rubric

Variable = anything that can change Manipulating Variable = the item that the scientist alters on purpose Responding Variable = the item(s) that the scientist measures/observes to see if it is affected by the manipulating variable Control = things that are kept constant or the same through the inquiry process Check

Inquiry Requirements
PURPOSE/QUESTION
Specifically outlines manipulating and responding variable Manipulating Variable is circled Responding Variable is underlined Has a question mark Testable (It is not a question that could be researched or completed by taking a survey alone)

Point Earned

RESEARCH
Use at least 1 source of information outside our classroom textbook. Research is relevant to the topic AND question Source is cited All information is in your own words

HYPOTHESIS
Specifically outlines manipulating and responding variable Manipulating variable is circled Responding Variable is underlined Does NOT contain the following phrases: -I think -I believe -because -it Uses the If this, than this approach

MANIPULATING VARIABLE
Correctly Identify the manipulating variable

RESPONDING VARIABLE
Correctly Identify the responding variable

CONTROLS
All of the items that are controlled are identified correctly

PROCEDURES
Specific/Detailed Logical Order There is not a question as to what is to be done The manipulating variable is identified by being circled The responding variable is identified by being underlined The controls are identified by having a box placed around them The first procedure listed explains any safety precautions that need to be taken

MATERIALS
All materials used to conduct the inquiry are listed For each material used, the appropriate or specific name (this includes the type/variety) For each material used, the size/amount of material is listed

RESULTS/DATA
Title is given to the data table Manipulating Variable is on the vertical side of the table Responding Variable is on the horizontal side of the table Under Responding Variable there is a place for qualitative data (data observed with senses or not specifically measured for the responding variable) Under Responding Variable there is a place for quantitative data (data measured specifically for the purpose of deciding the effect the manipulating variable has on it) Mean is correctly calculated for the quantitative data Range is correctly calculated for the quantitative data Is neat - uses a ruler/straight edge to create

ANALYSIS
For each trial describe how the manipulating variable effected the responding variable (Qualitative Data) For each trial describe how the manipulating variable effected the responding variable (Quantitative Data) Mean is used in a statement about the overall data Range is used in a statement about the overall data Summarize in at least 1 sentence the overall patterns in the data

CONCLUSION (Complete the 5 Parts)

1. What is your claim?
Read the question/purpose and answer it based on the data/observations.

Circle the manipulating variable Underline the responding variable 2.Compare your hypothesis to your claim.
-Do NOT just say my hypothesis was right/wrong. Tell us what your hypothesis was and then what your claim was.

3. What are the practical application for the claim to the inquiry?
-Based on your claim (#1 of the conclusion) what can people do with what you learned?

4. What are the errors that may have taken place during the inquiry?
-Be specific, say more than material malfunction, human error, environmental factor EXPLAIN it.

5. What is another question that you could investigate in the future based on what you learned to be the claim to the inquiry?
-Specifically outlines manipulating and responding variable -Testable -Circle the manipulating variable -Underline the responding variable -Question mark is placed at the end -Relates to the original inquiry question/purpose

TOTAL POINTS EARNED out of 47