CATEGORY

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3

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Scientific Knowledge

Explanations by all group members indicate a clear and accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.

Explanations by all group members indicate a relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.

Explanations by most group members indicate relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.

Explanations by several members of the group do not illustrate much understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.

Construction -Materials

Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better.

Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better.

Appropriate materials were selected.

Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.

Construction - Care Taken

Great care taken in construction process so that the structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately.

Construction was careful and accurate for the most part, but 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.

Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.

Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive product.

Function

Structure functions extraordinarily well, holding up under atypical stresses.

Structure functions well, holding up under typical stresses.

Structure functions pretty well, but deteriorates under typical stresses.

Fatal flaws in function with complete failure under typical stresses.

Data Collection

Data taken several times in a careful, reliable manner.

Data taken twice in a careful, reliable manner.

Data taken once in a careful, reliable manner.

Data not taken carefully OR not taken in a reliable manner.

Modification/Testing

Clear evidence of troubleshooting, testing, and refinements based on data or scientific principles.

Clear evidence of troubleshooting, testing and refinements.

Some evidence of troubleshooting, testing and refinements.

Little evidence of troubleshooting, testing or refinement.

Journal/Log - Content

Journal provides a complete record of planning, construction, testing, modifications, reasons for modifications, and some reflection about the strategies used and the results.

Journal provides a complete record of planning, construction, testing, modifications, and reasons for modifications.

Journal provides quite a bit of detail about planning, construction, testing, modifications, and reasons for modifications.

Journal provides very little detail about several aspects of the planning, construction, and testing process.

Journal/Log - Appearance

Several entries made and all are dated and neatly.

Several entries are made and most of the entries are dated and neatly entered.

Several entries are made and most of the entries are dated and legible.

Few entries are made AND/OR many entries are not dated or very difficult to read.