Physical science laboratory report rubric update

The rubric used to mark physical science laboratory reports was created circa 2007 with modifications and edits occurring over the next ten years. 


By 2021 the rubric had 16 criteria each worth up to five points for 80 possible points per laboratory report. The rating scale varied for each criteria and included specific language related to the rating. The result was a complex rubric that led to students focussing more on meeting format requirements than on the science being investigated in the laboratory.

This was evidenced by course student learning outcome SC 130.3 consistently underperforming other course learning outcomes.

SC 130.3 Generate mathematical models for physical science systems and use appropriate mathematical techniques and concepts to obtain quantitative solutions to problems in physical science.

In an effort to surface science content and mathematical models more clearly, a simpler rubric was developed.

Rubric in Google Sheets

The result is a 45 point rubric with a tighter focus on the science content, analysis, and discussion. The ratings scale has also been cleaned up and made symmetric, reducing the reading and comprehension load on the students. 

Prior lab eleven assignment in Canvas

In addition, the laboratory assignments have also been simplified and focused. Some of the framework provided previously in the assignment is now provided in class.

Revised laboratory eleven prompt

Note that the report section stays essentially the same from report to report for reports on systems with mathematical models being investigated. Each assignment is reduced to a set of question prompts that the students are to introduce in the Introduction and then respond to in the Discussion and Conclusion. The equipment list and procedure were eliminated. Both had specific format requirements. In focusing on getting sections such as these two in the correct format, the students lost focus on the science being explored in the laboratory. Prompts for every laboratory are also available as a single list.

The course with the simplified rubrics and new laboratory assignment structure is available in the Instructure Canvas Commons as SC 130 Physical Science summer session structure. More complete descriptions of each laboratory are available in the Canvas Pages for the course. In addition a new web site is under development to provide support for the course.


Note for instructors at the source institution, the course learning outcomes in the rubric were imported from the institutional bank of courses learning outcomes as covered in a video.

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