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Science Current Event Report - Extra Credit Assignment
Write a report – IN YOUR OWN WORDS – about a recent science-related article.
Your report must include at least two paragraphs. The report must summarize the
article, and include your reaction to the article. You must include a quote from the
article that supports the main idea of the article. Also, you must identify a
vocabulary word related to the main idea of the article, and define it as part of
your report.
The article you select must be:
1. a single article from a reliable source*,
2. related to what we have studied or are studying in class (see class website:
http://lepowsky.weebly.com/what-we-are-studying-in-science.html),
3. published within the past 12 months, and
4. at least 300 words in length.
*Reliable sources for articles include:

the Science section of major daily newspapers (New York Times, Los


Angeles Times, Miami Herald, et cetera)
science magazines (Scientific American, Science News)
science websites such as:



https://student.societyforscience.org/sciencenews-students
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/



http://tweentribune.com/
http://www.hhmi.org/news
http://www.scientificamerican.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science
news websites such as:.
 http://magazines.scholastic.com/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/tag/science/
Use the Science Current Event Graphic Organizer to construct your report.
Attach it to your completed report, along with a copy of the article.
You can earn up to 25 points for this assignment.
Rubric – Science Current Event Report
Category
Organization
Summary
Reaction
Facts and
Vocabulary
Article and
Graphic
Organizer
Satisfactory (5)
Assignment heading,
including:
 Name
 Period
 Date
Article heading, including:
 Article title
 Author
 Source
 Date of publication
The main idea of the article
is clearly explained.
The reader of your summary
understands exactly what
the article is about.
A thesis statement and
supporting quote from the
article are included.
Reaction includes what
student learned, and
connects the information in
the article with class topics,
new situations, or ideas for
further exploration.
Facts are accurate, and a
vocabulary word with
definition are included
Both are attached
Needs Improvement (3)
Unsatisfactory
(0)
One or two items are
missing.
Three or more
items are missing.
The main idea of the
article is not clear, or
key information is
missing.
The summary is
unclear,
confusing, and/or
contains
mistakes.
Reaction is brief and/or
not much detail was
used. Student did not
connect to or expand on
the information learned.
Reaction does not
demonstrate
much thought,
connection, or
expansion.
One or two minor
mistakes or vocabulary
word section is
incomplete or incorrect
Facts are
inaccurate.
Vocabulary and
definition are
missing.
Article is not
attached.
Missing Graphic
Organizer, but article is
attached.
Grade: _____________ / 25