The rubric is used to evaluate how well your team completes the Solar System Quest. It measures four main areas: Planet Research, Solar System Map, Organization & Effort, and Team Choice. Each category is scored from 1 (Beginning) to 4 (Exemplary).

​

Planet Research

This measures how well you understand and explain the eight planets.

• Beginning (1):
  Many planets are missing information or the facts are incorrect. It is hard to understand the Solar System from your work.

• Developing (2):
  Some planets have missing or unclear information. Some facts may be correct, but others are incomplete or confusing.

• Accomplished (3):
  All planets include mostly correct information. Most required facts are present, but a few small details may be missing.

• Exemplary (4):
  All eight planets are fully and correctly described. You include important facts like size, temperature, moons, distance from the Sun, and special features. Everything is written in your own words and shows strong understanding.

 

Solar System Map (Accuracy & Design)

This measures how accurate, complete, and creative your Solar System map is.

• Beginning (1):
  The map is incomplete or missing several planets. It is difficult to understand.

• Developing (2):
  Some planets are missing or not in the correct order. Labels or drawings are limited.

• Accomplished (3):
  All planets are included and in the correct order from the Sun. The map is clear and labeled, but it may not have many creative details.

• Exemplary (4):
  The map is highly accurate and visually creative. It includes all planets in the correct order and shows relative spacing. It also includes detailed labels, drawings, colors, and symbols that represent each planet clearly.

 

Organization and Effort

This measures how neat, complete, and well-organized your work is.

• Beginning (1):
  Work is messy, rushed, or incomplete. It is hard to follow.

• Developing (2):
  Some parts are disorganized or unclear. Effort is inconsistent.

• Accomplished (3):
  Work is organized and easy to read. There may be small neatness issues, but overall it is clear.

• Exemplary (4):
  Work is very neat, well-organized, and easy to understand. It shows strong effort, pride, and attention to detail in both the booklet and the map.

 

Team Choice: Best Planet to Explore

This measures how well your team uses science to choose and explain the best planet.

• Beginning (1):
  The planet choice is unclear or not explained. There is little or no scientific reasoning.

• Developing (2):
  The team chooses a planet, but the explanation is weak or missing strong science facts.

• Accomplished (3):
  The team clearly chooses a planet and gives good reasons supported by some science facts.

• Exemplary (4):
  The team clearly selects the best planet and gives a strong, detailed explanation using multiple science facts. The explanation includes comparisons with other planets and shows deep understanding. All team members participate in explaining the decision.