This document provides a rubric for assessing scientific work under Criterion B, which examines how students plan and design scientific investigations. The rubric outlines four levels of achievement for four assessment criteria: explaining the problem, formulating a hypothesis, explaining how variables will be manipulated and data collected, and designing a method. For each criterion, the rubric describes the actions and level of explanation expected for each level from 7 to 0. Key terms in the rubric like hypothesis, independent variable, and dependent variable are hyperlinked to definitions.

1. This is the rubric for all work assessed under Criterion B. Click on any hyperlink in the rubric to see an
official MYP definition of the term, as well as our own ‘student-friendly’ definition.
Level Criterion B: “Inquiring and Designing”
General Descriptors for Grades 9-10 (MYP 4-5)
7 - 8 i. ​explain​ a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. ​formulate​ and ​explain​ a testable ​hypothesis​ using correct scientific reasoning
iii. ​explain​ how to manipulate the [​independent​ and ​dependent​] variables, and ​explain​ how
sufficient, relevant ​data​ will be collected
iv. ​design​ a logical, complete and safe method in which he or she ​selects​ appropriate
materials and equipment.
5 - 6 i. ​describe​ a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. ​formulate​ and ​explain​ a testable ​hypothesis​ using scientific reasoning
iii. ​describe​ how to manipulate the [​independent​ and ​dependent​] variables, and ​describe
how sufficient, relevant ​data​ will be collected
iv. ​design​ a complete and safe method in which he or she ​selects​ appropriate materials and
equipment.
3 - 4 i. ​outline​ a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. ​formulate​ a testable ​hypothesis​ using scientific reasoning
iii. ​outline​ how to manipulate the [​independent​ and ​dependent​] variables, and ​outline​ how
relevant ​data​ will be collected
iv. ​design​ a safe method in which he or she ​selects​ materials and equipment.
1 - 2 i. ​state​ a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. ​outline​ a testable ​hypothesis
iii. ​outline​ the [​independent​ and ​dependent​] variables
iv. ​design​ a method, with limited success.
0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

2. B: Inquiring
and Designing
Level
8 - 7
Level
6 - 5
Level
4 - 3
Level
2 - 1
Level
0
i. Explaining a
problem to be
tested
explain​ a
problem or
question to be
tested by a
scientific
investigation
describe​ a
problem or
question to be
tested by a
scientific
investigation
outline​ a
problem or
question to be
tested by a
scientific
investigation
outline​ a
testable
hypothesis
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors
ii. Explaining a
hypothesis
formulate​ and
explain​ a
testable
hypothesis
using correct
scientific
reasoning
formulate​ and
explain​ a
testable
hypothesis
using scientific
reasoning
formulate​ a
testable
hypothesis
using scientific
reasoning
outline​ a
testable
hypothesis
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors
iii. Explaining
how to
manipulate
variables and
collect data
explain​ how to
manipulate
the
[​independent
and
dependent​]
variables, and
explain​ how
sufficient,
relevant ​data
will be
collected
describe​ how
to manipulate
the
[​independent
and
dependent​]
variables, and
describe​ how
sufficient,
relevant ​data
will be
collected
outline​ how to
manipulate
the
[​independent
and
dependent​]
variables, and
outline​ how
relevant ​data
will be
collected
outline​ the
[​independent
and
dependent​]
variables
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors
iv. Designing a
logical and
safe method
design​ a
logical,
complete and
safe method in
which he or
she ​selects
appropriate
materials and
equipment
design​ a
complete and
safe method in
which he or
she ​selects
appropriate
materials and
equipment
design​ a safe
method in
which he or
she ​selects
materials and
equipment
design​ a
method, with
limited success
does not reach
a standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.

3. Term MYP definition​ on top
Student-friendly definition​ underneath
Data MYP definition:​ Measurement of a parameter that can be ​quantitative​ (volume, temperature, pH and so
on) or ​qualitative​ (colour, shape, texture and so on)
Student-friendly definition:​ Numbers or descriptions from observations during an experiment.
Dependent
variable
MYP definition:​ The variable in which values are measured in the experiment
Student-friendly definition:​ The variable that YOU change during an experiment.
Describe MYP definition​: Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.
Student-friendly definition​: Tell how something happened (i.e. “first this, then that, then the next thing”).
In experiments, identify the minimum and maximum values of data in experimental results and recount
the overall trends between variables.
Design MYP definition​: Produce a plan, simulation or model.
Student-friendly definition​: Use the design cycle to create something original.
Explain MYP definition​: Give a detailed account.
Student-friendly definition​: Tell how and why something happened and justify it with scientific evidence
and/or reasons.
Formulate MYP definition​: Express precisely and systematically the relevant concepts or arguments.
Student-friendly definition​: Create or express something concisely and/or systematically.
Hypothesis MYP definition:​ A tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon that requires experimental
confirmation; can take the form of a question or a statement
Student-friendly definition:​ Predict how the dependent variable will respond when you change the
independent variable
Independent
variable
MYP definition:​ The variable that is selected and manipulated by the investigator in an experiment
Student-friendly definition: The variable YOU change during an experiment
Outline MYP definition​: Give a brief account.
Student-friendly definition​: Briefly describe the major points or concepts.
Qualitative data MYP definition:​ Refers to non-numerical data or information that is difficult to measure in a numerical way
Student-friendly definition:​ Descriptions of observations during an experiment, which do not require
numbers
Quantitative data MYP definition:​ Refers to numerical measurements of the variables associated with the investigation
Student-friendly definition:​ Numerical measurements of observations during an experiment
Select MYP definition​: Choose from a list or group.
Student-friendly definition​: Choose one or more things from a list or group.
State MYP definition​: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.
Student-friendly definition​: Give a one- or two-word answer. Nothing else is needed.
Original by Bradley M. Kremer (​www.mrkremerscience.com​). This work is licensed under a ​Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License​. As long as it is attributed, you may copy, redistribute, remix,
transform, and build upon this resource in any medium or format, even commercially.