Submission Feedback Thank you for your submission, China. I enjoyed reading your draft, however, there are some sections of your paper that need to be corrected. Please check each section of the rubric to find my suggestions for improvement. You can use these corrections to assist you in completing your final presentation. Thank you for working hard, China. Rubric Name: SCI 200 Project Part One Rubric (SA) This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a numeric scoring method. Criteria Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Introduction: Issue 9.5 points Meets “Proficient” criteria, and description is exceptionally clear and contextualized 8.075 points Describes selected issue in natural sciences and its significance 5.225 points Describes selected issue in natural sciences and its significance but with gaps in detail or clarity 0 points Does not describe selected issue in natural sciences and its significance 9.5 / 9.5 Introduction: Science Resources 9.5 points Meets “Proficient” criteria, and description of resources demonstrates strong understanding of information needed to investigate issues in the natural sciences 8.075 points Describes at least three relevant and appropriate science resources that could be used to investigate selected issue 5.225 points Describes at least three science resources that could be used to investigate selected issue but with gaps in appropriateness, relevance, or detail 0 points Does not describe at least three science resources that could be used to investigate selected issue 5.225 / 9.5 Criterion Feedback China, thanks for your effort on this portion of your introduction. I scored you as needs improvement here because you needed to strengthen your paper. The reader would have benefited from the inclusion of specific details, such as listing out examples i.e. example 1), example 2) etc. or citing a specific reference that is related and or has previously discussed this issue. This was necessary to achieve proficiency. In writing a research paper, you must have scientific resources that directly support your issue. In the future, make sure that you do enough research to ensure that you have adequate resources to make your document stronger. Thanks, China. Introduction: Specific Question 9.5 points Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates insight into connection between research and question 8.075 points Develops specific question related to selected issue and based on review of science resources 5.225 points Develops specific question related to selected issue, but question is not based on review of science resources 0 points Does not develop specific question related to selected issue 0 / 9.5 Criterion Feedback Thanks for your submission, China. After reading your document, I have noticed that you didn't develop a specific question that was related to your selected issue. This question .

1. Submission Feedback
Thank you for your submission, China. I enjoyed reading your
draft, however, there are some sections of your paper that need
to be corrected. Please check each section of the rubric to find
my suggestions for improvement. You can use these corrections
to assist you in completing your final presentation. Thank you
for working hard, China.
Rubric Name: SCI 200 Project Part One Rubric (SA)
This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first
column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if
the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.
Criteria
Exemplary
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Introduction: Issue
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and description is exceptionally
clear and contextualized
8.075 points
Describes selected issue in natural sciences and its significance
5.225 points
Describes selected issue in natural sciences and its significance
but with gaps in detail or clarity
0 points
Does not describe selected issue in natural sciences and its
significance
9.5 / 9.5
Introduction: Science Resources
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and description of resources

2. demonstrates strong understanding of information needed to
investigate issues in the natural sciences
8.075 points
Describes at least three relevant and appropriate science
resources that could be used to investigate selected issue
5.225 points
Describes at least three science resources that could be used to
investigate selected issue but with gaps in appropriateness,
relevance, or detail
0 points
Does not describe at least three science resources that could be
used to investigate selected issue
5.225 / 9.5
Criterion Feedback
China, thanks for your effort on this portion of your
introduction. I scored you as needs improvement here because
you needed to strengthen your paper. The reader would have
benefited from the inclusion of specific details, such as listing
out examples i.e. example 1), example 2) etc. or citing a
specific reference that is related and or has previously discussed
this issue. This was necessary to achieve proficiency. In writing
a research paper, you must have scientific resources that
directly support your issue. In the future, make sure that you do
enough research to ensure that you have adequate resources to
make your document stronger. Thanks, China.
Introduction: Specific Question
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates insight
into connection between research and question
8.075 points
Develops specific question related to selected issue and based
on review of science resources
5.225 points
Develops specific question related to selected issue, but
question is not based on review of science resources
0 points

3. Does not develop specific question related to selected issue
0 / 9.5
Criterion Feedback
Thanks for your submission, China. After reading your
document, I have noticed that you didn't develop a specific
question that was related to your selected issue. This question is
crucial to the development of an accurately written paper.
Moving forward, please make sure to review our rubric before
writing your paper to ensure that you are addressing all
requirements to receive proficiency.
Body: Audience
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and identification of audience
demonstrates insight into issue and question
8.075 points
Identifies an audience that would be interested in issue and
question, citing source(s)
5.225 points
Identifies an audience, but audience is not appropriate for issue
and question, or there are gaps in citation
0 points
Does not identify an audience
5.225 / 9.5
Criterion Feedback
China, thanks for your effort on this portion of your document. I
scored you as needs improvement here because you needed to
include citations. The reader would have benefited from the
inclusion of citing a specific reference that is related to your
target audience. This was necessary to achieve proficiency. In
the future, make sure that you include the necessary resources
to make your document stronger. Thanks, China.
Body: Message
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates
sophisticated understanding of how to effectively communicate
with specific audience

4. 8.075 points
Describes how and why message can be tailored to audience,
providing specific examples and citing source(s)
5.225 points
Describes how and why message can be tailored to audience but
with gaps in examples or citation
0 points
Does not describe how and why message can be tailored to
audience
5.225 / 9.5
Criterion Feedback
I like how you tailored your message to your audience, China,
but there are some aspects that had gaps (i.e. lacking clear
examples and citations to better connect with your specific
audience). You needed more specific examples, terminology,
and citations to help your audience to understand the major
points in your research paper. Remember, one of your main
goals is to help your audience understand what you are writing
about. Moving forward, I suggest that you take this feedback
and apply it to your writing in future courses. Please feel free to
contact the SNHU Writing Center for more assistance in this
aspect of your writing. Thank you for your work, China.
Body: Identify Principle(s)
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates insight
into essential natural science principles
8.075 points
Identifies natural science principle(s) that apply to issue and
question, citing source(s)
5.225 points
Identifies natural science principle(s) that apply to issue and
question but with gaps in accuracy or citation
0 points
Does not identify natural science principle(s) that apply to issue
and question
9.5 / 9.5

5. Body: Explain Principle(s)
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates insight
into essential natural science principles
8.075 points
Explains how identified principle(s) apply to issue and question,
citing source(s)
5.225 points
Explains how identified principle(s) apply to issue and question
but with gaps in detail, clarity, or citations
0 points
Does not explain how identified principle(s) apply to issue and
question
9.5 / 9.5
Conclusion: Hypothesis
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates
understanding of scientific thinking
8.075 points
Formulates hypothesis that addresses question and is based on
investigation of question
5.225 points
Formulates hypothesis that addresses question, but hypothesis is
not based on investigation of question
0 points
Does not formulate hypothesis that addresses question
5.225 / 9.5
Criterion Feedback
This hypothesis needed clarity, China. You have formulated a
hypothesis, however, there is a lack of it being based upon
empirical (experimental) evidence. Therefore, this hypothesis
does not address your question completely. To strengthen this
key element of your Research Paper you must base your
hypothesis on your investigation. Doing so demonstrates that
you used logic to come up with it. The correct way to go about
this is to use the wording from your Research Question and add

6. specific themes you learned from your investigation. For
example, if your Research Question was “Do hovercrafts make
for the best mode of transportation in off-shore townships in
Virginia?”, and your investigation found that hovercrafts use
huge amounts of gas, your hypothesis might be “hovercrafts are
more useful than cars for people living in off-shore townships,
despite not being economical”. Moving forward, I suggest that
you take this feedback and apply it to your writing in future
courses. Please feel free to contact the SNHU Writing Center
for more assistance in this aspect of your writing.
Conclusion: Natural Scientist
9.5 points
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates
understanding of scientific thinking
8.075 points
Explains how a natural scientist would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute hypothesis
5.225 points
Explains how a natural scientist would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute hypothesis, but explanation has
gaps in clarity, detail, or logic
0 points
Does not explain how a natural scientist would go about
collecting evidence to support or refute hypothesis
5.225 / 9.5
Criterion Feedback
Clarity is needed here, China. You explained how a natural
scientist would go about collecting evidence to support or refute
the hypothesis you formulated. However, your explanation has
gaps in clarity, detail, and or logic. There is a correct way to
write this section. Typically, this requires that you list the
hypothetical next steps (with specific detail) of a natural
scientist, if they were to continue researching your hypothesis.
Also, you must be sure to support your response with the
natural science resources of your own selection. Moving
forward, I suggest that you take this feedback and apply it to

7. your writing in future courses. Please feel free to contact the
SNHU Writing Center for more assistance in this aspect of your
writing.
Reference List
9.5 points
N/A
9.5 points
Provides reference list that includes all science resources used
to investigate issue and question, and list is formatted according
to current APA guidelines
5.225 points
Provides reference list that includes all science resources used
to investigate issue and question, but list has gaps in adherence
to current APA formatting guidelines
0 points
Does not provide reference list that includes all science
resources used to investigate issue and question
9.5 / 9.5
Articulation of Response
5 points
Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a
professional and easy-to-read format
4.25 points
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
2.75 points
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact
readability and articulation of main ideas
0 points
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of
ideas
2.75 / 5
Criterion Feedback

8. There is an opportunity for improvement here, China. I like that
you have submitted your final draft. However, the way you have
articulated your thoughts has caused your submission to have
some problems with citations. Moving forward, I suggest that
you take this feedback and apply it to your writing in future
courses. Please feel free to contact the SNHU Writing Center
for more assistance in this aspect of your writing.
Rubric Total Score
Total
66.875 / 100
Feedback for 5-3-2 Project Part One: Planning Document
Second Draft
Top of Form
Submission Feedback
Thank you for your submission, China. I enjoyed reading your
draft, however, there are some sections of your paper that need
to be corrected. Please check each section of the rubric to find
my suggestions for improvement. Please make these revisions in
Soomo so that when you download your planning document, it
will show your corrected draft. Once you have completed those
revisions, you will be right on track to being successful on your
final draft. Also, take time now to look at the final draft rubric
to ensure that you achieve the new performance level descriptor
"exemplary" on your final draft. Please keep working hard.
Rubric Name: SCI 200 Project Part One Second Draft Rubric
This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first
column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if
the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.Criteria
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Introduction: Issue

9. 5 points
Describes selected issue in natural sciences and its significance
3.75 points
Describes selected issue in natural sciences and its significance
but with gaps in detail or clarity
0 points
Does not describe selected issue in natural sciences and its
significance
5 / 5
Introduction: Science Resources
10 points
Describes at least three relevant and appropriate science
resources that could be used to investigate selected issue
7.5 points
Describes at least three science resources that could be used to
investigate selected issue but with gaps in appropriateness,
relevance, or detail or is missing one or more sources
0 points
Does not describe science resources that could be used to
investigate selected issue
10 / 10
Introduction: Specific Question
5 points
Develops specific question related to selected issue based on
review of science resources
3.75 points
Develops specific question related to selected issue, but
question is not based on review of science resources
0 points
Does not develop specific question related to selected issue
5 / 5
Body: Audience
10 points
Identifies an audience that would be interested in issue and
question, citing source(s)
7.5 points

10. Identifies an audience, but audience is not appropriate for issue
and question, or there are gaps in citation
0 points
Does not identify an audience
7.5 / 10
Criterion Feedback
China, please add a relevant APA in-text citation to this
paragraph to achieve proficiency. Be sure to add the long
citation to the reference page on the last page of your planning
document.
Body: Message
10 points
Describes how and why message can be tailored to audience,
providing specific examples and citing source(s)
7.5 points
Describes how and why message can be tailored to audience but
with gaps in examples or citation
0 points
Does not describe how and why message can be tailored to
audience
10 / 10
Body: Identify Principle(s)
10 points
Identifies natural science principle(s) that apply to issue and
question, citing source(s)
7.5 points
Identifies natural science principle(s) that apply to issue and
question but with gaps in accuracy or citation
0 points
Does not identify natural science principle(s) that apply to issue
and question
10 / 10
Body: Explain Principle(s)
10 points
Explains how identified principle(s) apply to issue and question,
citing source(s)

11. 7.5 points
Explains how identified principle(s) apply to issue and question
but with gaps in detail, clarity, or citation
0 points
Does not explain how identified principle(s) apply to issue and
question
10 / 10
Conclusion: Hypothesis
15 points
Formulates hypothesis that addresses question based on
investigation of question
11.25 points
Formulates hypothesis that addresses question, but hypothesis is
not based on investigation of question
0 points
Does not formulate hypothesis that addresses question
11.25 / 15
Criterion Feedback
This hypothesis needs clarity, China. You have successful
formulated a hypothesis, however, there is a lack of it being
based upon empirical (experimental) evidence because it cannot
be tested in this lifetime. Therefore, this hypothesis does not
address your question completely. To strengthen this key
element of your research paper you must base your hypothesis
on your investigation. Doing so demonstrates that you used
logic to come up with it. This was a new element within your
research paper so it can be difficult to incorporate this aspect. I
suggest, for your final draft, that you use the wording from your
research question and add specific themes you learned from
your investigation. For example, if your research question was
"Do hovercrafts make for the best mode of transportation in off-
shore townships in Virginia?", and your investigation found that
hovercrafts use huge amounts of gas, your hypothesis might be
"hovercrafts are more useful than cars for people living in off-
shore townships, despite not being economical". An easier way
to write your hypothesis is to use this template as a guideline: If

12. _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.
(Ex. If I give elementary aged children chocolate candy, then
they will behave in a hyperactive manner.) I want you to grow
from this feedback I've provided. Also, please watch this video:
https://youtu.be/gjDcLprBxRo. Please make sure that your final
draft contains these suggested changes. Keep working hard. You
are just one step away!
Conclusion: Natural Scientist
15 points
Explains how a natural scientist would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute hypothesis
11.25 points
Explains how a natural scientist would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute hypothesis, but explanation has
gaps in clarity, detail, or logic
0 points
Does not explain how a natural scientist would go about
collecting evidence to support or refute hypothesis
11.25 / 15
Criterion Feedback
China, you received needs improvement for this section because
your experiment is not based in the natural sciences. Please
review your scientific research articles for ideas on how to
create a unique natural science experiment that a natural
scientist might use to test your research question and collect
evidence to support or refute your hypothesis. Typically, this
requires that you list the hypothetical next steps (with specific
detail) of a natural scientist, if they were to continue
researching your hypothesis. Please make this adjustment and
you will be on track to be successful for your final draft.
Reference List
5 points
Provides reference list that includes all science resources used
to investigate issue and question, and list is formatted according
to current APA guidelines
3.75 points

13. Provides reference list that includes all science resources used
to investigate issue and question, but list has gaps in adherence
to current APA formatting guidelines
0 points
Does not provide reference list that includes all science
resources used to investigate issue and question
5 / 5
Articulation of Response
5 points
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
3.75 points
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact
readability and articulation of main ideas
0 points
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of
ideas
3.75 / 5
Criterion Feedback
China, there is an opportunity for improvement here. I like that
you have submitted your rough draft. However, the way you
have articulated your thoughts has caused your submission to
have some problems with readability and articulation of its main
ideas due to lack of details, format, and citation issues. Please
take some time to review your submission and correct those
errors. The correct the format issues, please use the setup sheet
to assist to preparing your planning document. You can find it
in announcement named "Important Planning Document
Information." If you need assistance with your citations or
anything else, please contact the SNHU Writing Center for
assistance. They will be happy to help.
Rubric Total ScoreTotal
88.75 / 100
Overall Score

14. Overall Score
Proficient
Instructors should not modify this row (it will automate from
the scores above). This score represents the average evaluation
across all rubric criteria.
Needs ImprovementInstructors should not modify this row (it
will automate from the scores above). This score represents the
average evaluation across all rubric criteria.
Not EvidentInstructors should not modify this row (it will
automate from the scores above). This score represents the
average evaluation across all rubric criteria.
Score
Running head: EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES 1
EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES 6
Effects of Electric Vehicles
China Brown
Southern New Hampshire University
Natural Science
02/09/2020
Introduction
The increased use of electric vehicles has reduced the direct
emissions of carbon dioxide and air pollutants for road transport

15. significantly. However, such positive effects of using electric
vehicles have partially been offset by some additional emissions
that are usually caused by the continued use of fossil fuel in the
power sector (Holland et al., 2019). Electric cars do emit not
only exhaust fumes but also use batteries that emit toxic fumes.
Most of the electricity that is used to power electric vehicles is
usually generated from the non-renewable energy that can have
negative impacts on both the environment and human health
(Ma et al., 2017). The significance of the issue of effects of
electric vehicles on Panyu public transport is that it will help in
educating people on why the electric vehicles are not good for
the environment and what can be done to make them better.
The three resources that I can use in investigating the issue of
effects of electric cars are, “Distributional effects of air
pollution from electric vehicle adoption”, “The analysis of the
battery electric vehicle’s potentiality of environmental effect”
and “Is subsidized electric vehicles adoption sustainable:
Consumers’ perceptions and motivation toward incentive
policies, environmental benefits, and risks.” The similarities in
the content of all the sources are that they all explain the
adverse effects of the electric vehicles on the environment. The
difference in the content of the resources is that the first article
is specific to how the electric vehicles pollute the air while the
other two articles explain the effects of the electric vehicles in
general. The articles are relevant and significant towards the
investigation on the effects of electric vehicles on the
environment because they have provided relevant examples of
how the electric vehicles have impacted the environment in
different ways. My thought process when I was searching for
the sources was that I first generalized the environmental
effects of the electric vehicles and what I did to make my
choices was first to eliminate all the articles that were not
relevant to the impact of the electric vehicles towards the
environment.
What is the effect of electric car technology on Panyu public
transport company of China for over two years?

16. Body
The study on the effects of electric vehicles will greatly help
Panyu public transport company in realizing the emissions that
are usually caused by their vehicles and how they can contribute
to the climatic changes. Once the company has realized the
different effects of the electric vehicles, it will then develop
some of the best mechanisms that will ensure that the
environmental effects have been reduced and that can be done
through minimizing their purchase of the electric vehicles.
There are some terminologies that might be challenging for the
company to understand on their own. Some of such
terminologies are the air pollutants which include PM10, NOx
and the volatile organic compounds (VOC) (Cusenza et al.,
2019). The terminologies can only be explained to them by
offering a better description of what they mean. PM10 are fine
articles or respirable particulate matter comprised of smoke,
soot, nitrates, metals, dust water, sulphates, and rubber among
other substances that make them very harmful to human health
once breathed in. However, NOx is nitrogen oxide, a harmful
element that is also present in automotive emissions. VOC are
organic chemicals with high vapor pressure, and most of them
are harmful (Cusenza et al., 2019).
The natural scientific principle that applies to the issues of
electric vehicle on environmental change is that human
influence is the critical factor that determines the environmental
changes. The key relation between the principle of
environmental change is that the emissions caused by electric
vehicles have started exceeding those that are produced by
gasoline vehicles. The heavy batteries that are possessed by the
electric vehicles cause an increased particulate matter emission
from the tires (Li et al., 2017). The electric vehicles still have a
combination of the drum brakes and disc brakes which are both
well known for causing particulate emissions (Zhang et al.,
2018). The electric vehicles usually rely on electricity that is
generally generated by fossil energy, which can as well result in
pollution causing environmental change.

17. When considering the life cycle of electric vehicles in
comparison to that of conventional vehicles, the production
process of electric vehicles is far much environmentally
intensive since it emits more toxic waste. The production of
electric vehicles has approximately twice as much global
warming potential to that of the conventional vehicles (Zhang et
al., 2018). Furthermore, the production of electric motors and
batteries needs excessive toxic minerals like copper, aluminum,
and nickel (Ma et al., 2017). This fact makes the acidification
effect of electric vehicles much greater when compared to the
production of conventional gasoline vehicles. When considering
potential for harmful effects associated with airborne particulate
matter, acid rain, human toxicity, smog, depletion of mineral
and fossil fuel resources, as well as ecosystem toxicity,
electricity-powered vehicles perform on par or worse than
conventional vehicles irrespective of their negligent emission
while operating (Zhang et al., 2018).
Since Panyu public transport company operates buses and has
handed electric vehicles in its fleet as a way of addressing the
harmful effects of its services to the environment,
understanding the environmental threats electric vehicles pose if
very crucial (Advancing Public Transport, 2020). The company
needs to understand that a move to replace its gasoline vehicles
with electric ones will not eliminate the problem of harmful
emissions since the manufacturing process and the operation of
electric vehicles produce particulate emissions. Hence, the
company should understand that, by simply purchasing an
electric vehicle, they are promoting the production of more and
contributing to environmental pollution.
Hence, for a company like Panyu public transport company, it
would be better to continue operating the conventional vehicles
instead of opting for electric vehicles to avoid contributing to
their excessive harmful effect on the environment. The effect of
electric vehicles surpasses that of conventional vehicles,
particularly considering their production process that is
considerably more environmentally intensive. Their global

18. warming potential is two times that of conventional vehicles.
Besides, the production of batteries that power electric vehicles
as well as the electric motors themselves needs more toxic
materials than conventional vehicles. Electric vehicles still use
tires and a combination of drum and disc brakes that emit
particulate matters while operating. The electricity used to
power these vehicles also comes from fossil fuels that damage
the environment. Based on these findings, companies like Panyu
should not buy electric vehicles as a way of minimizing their
production and harmful effect on the environment.
References
Advancing Public Transport. (2020). Our members. Panyu
Public Transport Company. Retrieved February 9, 2020 from
https://www.uitp.org/all-
members?title=&field_member_category_tid=All&field_locatio
n_term_tid=138&page=8
Cusenza, M. A., Bobba, S., Ardente, F., Cellura, M., & Di
Persio, F. (2019). Energy and environmental assessment of a
traction lithium-ion battery pack for plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles. Journal of cleaner production, 215, 634-649.
Holland, S. P., Mansur, E. T., Muller, N. Z., & Yates, A. J.
(2019). Distributional effects of air pollution from electric
vehicle adoption. Journal of the Association of Environmental
and Resource Economists, 6(S1), S65-S94.
Li, S., Tong, L., Xing, J., & Zhou, Y. (2017). The market for
electric vehicles: indirect network effects and policy design.
Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource
Economists, 4(1), 89-133.
Ma, Y., Ke, R. Y., Han, R., & Tang, B. J. (2017). The analysis
of the battery electric vehicle’s potentiality of environmental
effect: A case study of Beijing from 2016 to 2020. Journal of
cleaner production, 145, 395-406.

19. Zhang, X., Bai, X., & Shang, J. (2018). Is subsidized electric
vehicles adoption sustainable: Consumers’ perceptions and
motivation toward incentive policies, environmental benefits,
and risks.Journal of Cleaner Production, 192, 71-79.
SCI 200 Project Part One Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
Basic scientific literacy is essential for understanding real-
world applications of the natural sciences. As a consumer and
voter, you will be faced with issues that
require a basic understanding of science. For example, you
might ask yourself the following questions: How can genetically
modified foods affect my health?
Should scientists be held liable for not predicting earthquakes
that led to human casualties, as they were in Italy in 2012? Is
anthropogenic climate change real?
Is fracking a concern where you live? Because of the prevalence
of natural science issues such as these, it is important to
understand basic natural science
concepts and how they impact our daily lives.
The project for this course has two parts. In part one, you will
conduct a research investigation that examines an issue in the
natural sciences. You will identify
appropriate resources for investigating the issue you select, use
these resources to develop a question related to the issue, and
apply natural science principles
to the issue and question. In addition, you will identify an
audience who would be interested in the selected issue. In Part
Two, you will develop a presentation

20. for the audience you identified in part one. In your presentation,
you will explain how scientific thinking has impacted you and
your audience, supporting your
claims with evidence.
Part one of this project addresses the following course
outcomes:
professional experiences
investigating contemporary issues in the natural sciences
fundamental aspects of the natural world
ples of the natural sciences in
addressing critical questions related to the natural world
Prompt
Select a contemporary issue in the natural sciences to
investigate. You may select an issue that was discussed in the
course, or you may select your own if you
have instructor approval. You could consider using your topic
and question from Perspectives in the Natural Sciences if they
are something you would like to
investigate further for this project. After selecting an issue, you
will conduct a research investigation, identifying appropriate
resources for researching the issue,
developing a question related to the issue, and applying
principles of natural science to your issue and question. You
will submit your planning document as a
written report.

21. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction: In this section, you will discuss your natural
science issue and select resources that you can use to research
the issue. This will lead you to
the development of a research question related to your issue.
Specifically, you should:
a. Describe the issue in the natural sciences that you have
selected to investigate. Why is this issue significant?
b. Describe at least three science resources that you could use to
investigate the issue you selected. Your sources must be
relevant to your issue
and must be of an academic nature appropriate for the issue. In
your description, consider questions such as: What are the
similarities and
differences in the content of your sources? What makes them
appropriate and relevant for investigating your issue? What was
your thought
process when you were searching for sources? How did you
make choices?
c. Based on your review of science resources, develop a specific
question related to the issue you selected. In other words, what
would you like to
know more about?
II. Body: In this section, you will use the natural science
resources that you selected to investigate your question,
focusing on an appropriate audience and

22. the scientific principles related to the issue. Make sure to cite
your sources. Based on your research:
a. Identify an audience that would be interested in your issue
and the question you developed. For example, who would
benefit most from hearing
your message, or who could best help in addressing the issue?
b. Describe how and why you can tailor your message to your
audience, providing specific examples. For example, will your
audience understand
scientific terminology and principles, or will you need to
explain them? How will you communicate effectively with your
audience?
c. Identify the natural science principle(s) that apply to your
question and issue. For example, if your issue is global climate
change, the principle
you might identify is that the sun is the primary source of
energy for Earth’s climate system.
d. Explain how the principle(s) you identified apply to your
issue and question. In other words, how are the natural science
principle(s) you
identified relevant to your question and issue?
III. Conclusion: In this section, you will conclude your research
investigation by discussing future directions for the debate on
your issue. Specifically, you
should:
a. Formulate a hypothesis that addresses the question you
developed. Make sure your hypothesis is based on your
investigation of your question.

23. b. Explain how a natural scientist would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute the hypothesis you formulated. In
other words, what
would the next steps be if a natural scientist were to continue
researching your hypothesis? Make sure to support your
response with the
natural science resources that you selected.
IV. Provide a reference list that includes all of the science
resources you used to investigate your issue and question.
Ensure that your list is formatted
according to current APA guidelines (or another format, with
instructor permission).
Project Part One Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your planning document should be
3–5 pages, double spaced, with 12-point Times New Roman font
and one-inch margins. You
should use current APA guidelines (or another format approved
by your instructor) for your citations and reference list.
Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not
Evident Value
Introduction: Issue
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
description is exceptionally clear

24. and contextualized (100%)
Describes selected issue in
natural sciences and its
significance (85%)
Describes selected issue in
natural sciences and its
significance but with gaps in
detail or clarity (55%)
Does not describe selected issue in
natural sciences and its
significance (0%)
9.5
Introduction: Science
Resources
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
description of resources
demonstrates strong
understanding of information
needed to investigate issues in
the natural sciences (100%)
Describes at least three relevant
and appropriate science
resources that could be used to
investigate selected issue (85%)
Describes at least three science
resources that could be used to
investigate selected issue but

25. with gaps in appropriateness,
relevance, or detail (55%)
Does not describe at least three
science resources that could be
used to investigate selected issue
(0%)
9.5
Introduction: Specific
Question
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
response demonstrates insight
into connection between
research and question (100%)
Develops specific question
related to selected issue and
based on review of science
resources (85%)
Develops specific question
related to selected issue, but
question is not based on review
of science resources (55%)
Does not develop specific question
related to selected issue (0%)
9.5
Body: Audience

26. Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
identification of audience
demonstrates insight into issue
and question (100%)
Identifies an audience that
would be interested in issue and
question, citing source(s) (85%)
Identifies an audience, but
audience is not appropriate for
issue and question, or there are
gaps in citation (55%)
Does not identify an audience (0%) 9.5
Body: Message
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
response demonstrates
sophisticated understanding of
how to effectively communicate
with specific audience (100%)
Describes how and why message
can be tailored to audience,
providing specific examples and
citing source(s) (85%)
Describes how and why message
can be tailored to audience but
with gaps in examples or citation
(55%)

27. Does not describe how and why
message can be tailored to
audience (0%)
9.5
Body: Identify
Principle(s)
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
response demonstrates insight
into essential natural science
principles (100%)
Identifies natural science
principle(s) that apply to issue
and question, citing source(s)
(85%)
Identifies natural science
principle(s) that apply to issue
and question but with gaps in
accuracy or citation (55%)
Does not identify natural science
principle(s) that apply to issue and
question (0%)
9.5
Body: Explain
Principle(s)
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and

28. response demonstrates insight
into essential natural science
principles (100%)
Explains how identified
principle(s) apply to issue and
question, citing source(s) (85%)
Explains how identified
principle(s) apply to issue and
question but with gaps in detail,
clarity, or citations (55%)
Does not explain how identified
principle(s) apply to issue and
question
9.5
Conclusion: Hypothesis
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
response demonstrates
understanding of scientific
thinking (100%)
Formulates hypothesis that
addresses question and is based
on investigation of question
(85%)
Formulates hypothesis that
addresses question, but

29. hypothesis is not based on
investigation of question (55%)
Does not formulate hypothesis
that addresses question (0%)
9.5
Conclusion: Natural
Scientist
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
response demonstrates
understanding of scientific
thinking (100%)
Explains how a natural scientist
would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute
hypothesis
Explains how a natural scientist
would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute
hypothesis, but explanation has
gaps in clarity, detail, or logic
(55%)
Does not explain how a natural
scientist would go about collecting
evidence to support or refute
hypothesis (0%)
9.5

30. Reference List
Provides reference list that
includes all science resources
used to investigate issue and
question, and list is formatted
according to current APA
guidelines (100%)
Provides reference list that
includes all science resources
used to investigate issue and
question, but list has gaps in
adherence to current APA
formatting guidelines (55%)
Does not provide reference list
that includes all science resources
used to investigate issue and
question (0%)
9.5
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented in
a professional and easy-to-read
format (100%)
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,

31. spelling, syntax, or organization
(85%)
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas (55%)
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas (0%)
5
Total 100%