Science Fair: Judging Criteria

ELEMENTARY

Judges of the elementary science fairs are asked to judge projects by the following criteria:

Scientific Thought (30%): Scientific experimental design is used for the project. Variables are clearly defined and information collected is accurate and complete. Conclusions reached are accurate.

Creative Ability (30%): Project is unique. Exhibit shows original thinking or a unique method or approach. Project demonstrates ideas arrived at by the child.

Understanding (10%): The project explains what the student learned about the topic. References are listed.

Clarity (10%): The information about the project is clearly organized and communicated.

Dramatic Value (10%): Project board is well designed and constructed. Important ideas are emphasized. Project is visually appealing.

Technical Skill (10%): Student does majority of work and help received is acknowledged.Written materials show attention to grammar and spelling.

The lab notebook is a critical part of the project. A quality lab notebook is as important as the information on the backboard. The SEFH web site at http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/sciences/naturalscience/SEFH has excellent lab notebook guidelines.

SECONDARY

Assign a Maximum Score of 10 Points in Each Criterion Below:

PROJECT OBJECTIVES (20 Points)

  • Creativity and originality
  • Clear statement of objectives; identification of all relevant variables

PROJECT DESIGN (30 Points)

  • Creativity and originality
  • Knowledge and understanding of the scientific or engineering principles relevant to the project.
  • Adequacy of scientific or engineering approach used; use of relevant literature

PROJECT EXECUTION (20 Points)

  • Thoroughness of experimentation or development used to reach objectives; proper recording of data in laboratory notebook
  • Level of skills and effort used by the student to carry out the project; amount of work done by the student compared to others; understanding of equipment or techniques used to obtain data

PROJECT CONCLUSIONS (10 Points)

  • Conclusions consistent with the data or adequate explanation

PROJECT PRESENTATION (20 Points)

  • Quality and coherence of the oral presentation within 3 – 5 minutes
  • Quality and clarity of display

TOTAL SCORE 100 Points

Notes:

  1. Projects continued from previous year(s) should be clearly identified as such. These projects should be judged only on what has been done since the last fair.
  2. Judges should not solicit any information from an entrant that would identify the student, their sponsor, or their school.

Team Criteria Sheet

PROJECT OBJECTIVES (20 points)

  • Creativity and originality (10 points)
  • Clear statement of objectives; identification of all relevant variables (10 points)

PROJECT DESIGN (30 points)

  • Creativity and originality (10 points)
  • Knowledge and understanding by each team member of the scientific or engineering principles relevant to the project (10 points)
  • Adequacy of scientific or engineering approach used; use of relevant literature (10 points)

PROJECT EXECUTION

  • Thoroughness of experimentation or development used to reach objectives; proper recording of data in laboratory notebook (10 points)
  • Level of skills and effort used by each team member; understanding of equipment or techniques used to obtain data on the part of each team member; appropriate division of responsibility within the team (10 points)

PROJECT CONCLUSIONS (10 points)

  • Conclusions consistent with the data obtained and with the relevant principles of science or engineering; if not, adequate explanation of the inconsistency (10 points)

PROJECT PRESENTATION (20 points)

  • Quality and coherence of the oral presentation by the team members within the time allocated (about 3 – 5 minutes) (10 points)
  • Quality and clarity of the display, including the organization and presentation of data (10 points)

TOTAL POINTS possible = 100 points