Lab Portfolio

AP Biology 1/3 Term 4

Purpose: To show your progress in the ability to design experiments and analyze data to draw conclusions. Materials: Graded formal labs and your lab notebook; lab files on your computer, journal articles Directions: 1. Review comments on your graded labs and labs in your lab notebook. 2. Review your lab rubric and various lab sheets throughout the year. 3. In your own words, define the purpose of each section of the labin other words describe what this section should include and why! For ONE section you may find an outside paper and explain why the outside paper is an excellent example of that section of the lab. If you do, you must reference the paper! a. Title b. Abstract c. Introduction d. Methods e. Data and Analysis f. Conclusions

4. For each section, find an example from your work. Examples may be from formal labs or informal lab
notebook labs and should span throughout the year. a. If you have an example that meets the standards for that section, provide a copy of the example. Attach a large sticky note or clip a piece of paper to your document to explain WHY this example demonstrates mastery of this part of experimental design/data analysis. For notebook labs, you may photocopy a page or retype what was written in your lab notebook. Do not rip pages out of your lab notebook! b. If you do not have an example that meets the standards for that section, provide an example of a lab you struggled with. Then provide a revision that alters what you originally produced to meet the standards. For example, if you have struggled with graphing, here is your chance to show you can analyze data and produce a graph that demonstrates understanding of your data.

5. Self-Reflection: Think about labs as a whole. Provide self-reflection as to the progress youve made in
understanding the scientific method and how a lab report is the product that demonstrates this. You should reference concrete examples during your reflection. Questions to consider within your 1-2 page typed reflection: a. Did I change my approach to writing labs as the year progressed? b. How did labs help me to understand biology concepts? c. What part of the lab report was I best at and why? d. What part of the lab report do I struggle most with and why? e. How could a lab notebook in a college environment be helpful when having to pull together a formal report later in the semester? f. What aspects of lab report writing do I envision being helpful at the college level? g. How has writing lab reports helped my scientific literacy (being able to read scientific papers)? h. How might your anticipated college major connect to what you have learned here? Even if you major is not sciencelook up academic writing and data analysis in your major and draw connections.

6. Use of Statistical Analysis: Find two best examples where you employed statistical analysis. They must be
two different types of statistical analysis. If you dont have two good examples, feel free to revise an example you used earlier in the year and show the revision. Provide a summary to explain: a. What type of statistical calculation was used b. How the statistical calculation was important c. How adding in the statistical analysis gave more meaning to the data.

Grading Rubric Advanced Defining each section of a lab report /10 10Definitions clearly show use of rubric, comments, and lab sheets throughout the year to clearly and concisely describe the purporse of each section of the lab. 50Examples best show the approach to each section of the lab; any revisions are carefully done and explanation is insightful. Proficient 8.5Definitions show the use of several sources throughout the year to discus the general purpose of each section of the lab. Needs Improvement 7Definitions show a general understanding of each section of the lab. Need to go back to lab sheets, lab rubrics, and graded labs to clarify some of the sections. 38Examples show each section of the lab. Revisions may need work in more than one case. Explanation may be unclear and it may be hard to tell why each example was chosen. Fails to meet standard 6Definitions show a weak understanding of each section of the lab. Several areas are unclear and student needs to review lab materials to better understand the purpose of a written lab. 30Examples do not adequately show each section of the lab. Revisions are inappropriate. Explanation may be unclear and it is hard to tell why the examples were chosen. 30Answers few of the questions. Answers are general and do not adequately show reflection on practice. Does not tie to future academic work.

Examples /50

Self Reflection /50

50Thoughtfully reflects on many of the questions giving examples and insight from actual labs. Thoughtfully connects the work we have done here to what may be expected as a science major in college.

43Examples show the approach to each section of the lab; revisions could be fine tuned or better examples could be chosen in some cases. Explanation is clear but could demonstrate more insight. 43Answers many of the questions and talks about specific labs in some of the answers. Shows an effort to connect what we have done here to what may be expected as a science major in college.

Statistical Analysis /20

20Shows excellent examples of statistics

17Shows examples of statistics that are

38Answers many of the questions but answers are general.. Needs to be more reflective and demonstrate and understanding of the high school lab report as gathering of knowledge and skills that can be used in various science and social science careers. 15Shows two examples of statistics;

12Examples of the statistics used have

Overall Organization /20

that are employed correctly and displayed in a way that brings meaning to the data. Gives an excellent understanding of the meaning of the statistical analysis and how it brings meaning to the specific data collected. 20Neat, professionally organized and examples are clearly identified using sticky notes or attachments. Has clearly shown effort to develop a system to highlight best work.

employed correctly and displayed appropriately. Gives an understanding of the meaning of the statistics although may need some clarification about the relationship to the specific data collected. 17Organized and examples are located in the appropriate sections. Sections are clearly labeled. Organized but not necessarily a professinal product.

may be small mistakes in calculating, use or display. Gives some understanding of the meaning of statistics but may have difficulty tying to the meaning of the specific data collected.

major mistakes in calculating, use or display. Does not have an adequate understanding of the meaning of the statistics and/or how to tie to the data.

15Some sections out of order and evidence is hard to find. Needs to work on presenting knowledge in a professional format.

12Pieces are missing, sections out of order and hard to identify. Not professional.