Table 5.

An example rubric for evaluating student models.

	Level
Criterion	0	1	2
Explanatory Power of a Model	Model does not explain the scientific phenomenon being investigated	Model partially explains a scientific phenomenon: model includes both accurate and inaccurate descriptions of the phenomenon, based on scientific readings and data	Model explains a scientific phenomenon: model accurately describes the phenomenon, based on scientific readings and data
Explicit Use of Data to Support Model	Model does not use data for support	Model uses appropriate and inappropriate or insufficient data for support	Model uses appropriate and sufficient data for support
Revision of a Model	Model is not revised and does not reflect new scientific information	Model is revised to reflect some new scientific information	Model is revised to reflect all the new scientific information