Calumet Regional Science Fair & Associated Art Exhibit

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Judging Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria

The following are the judging criteria and Guidelines used at the International Science Fair. It is felt that in order for our representatives to place well there, they should be judged using the same criteria & guidelines at the Calumet Regional Science Fair. The justification for using the same criteria & guidelines for the divisions not eligible for the International Science Fair is that the students will do better in the long run if consistent judging is applied.

Judging Criteria
 

Component of Judging Criteria	Individual Projects	Team Projects
Creative	30 Points	25 Points
Scientific Thought/Engineering Goals	30 Points	25 Points
Thoroughness	15 Points	12 Points
Skill	15 Points	12 Points
Clarity	10 Points	10 Points
Teamwork		16 Points
TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE	100 Points	100 Points

Judging Tips

• Students may have worked on a research project for more than one year. However, for the purpose of judging, ONLY research conducted since the last Calumet Regional Science Fair is to be evaluated. Although previous work is important, it is not to be considered as part of this year's Calumet Regional Science Fair Project.
• Examine the quality of the student's work, & how well the student understands his or her project & area of study. The physical display is secondary to the student's knowledge of the subject.
• When research is conducted in an industrial or institutional setting, the student is required to include a document from the supervising scientist. Judges should review in detail the supervisor's comments when evaluating the research conducted in an industrial or institutional setting.
• Look for evidence of laboratory, field or theoretical work, not just library research or gadgeteering.
• Compare projects only with those competing in the Calumet Regional Science Fair & not with projects seen in other competitions or scholastic events.
• Judges should keep in mind that the Calumet Regional Science Fair is not only a competition, but an educational & motivating experience for students. The high point of the fair experience for many students is their judging interviews.
• As a general rule, judges represent professional authority to students. For this reason, judges should use an encouraging tone when asking questions, offering suggestions or giving constructive criticism. Judges should not criticize, treat lightly, or display boredom toward projects they personally consider unimportant. Always give credit to the student for completing a challenging task &/or for their success in previous competitions.
• Please be discreet when discussing winners or making critical comments where students, parents, teachers, friends, etc. might overhear.

Tips for judging projects at the Calumet Regional Science Fair

I Creative Ability (Individual — 30, Team —25)

(If an engineering project, the more appropriate questions are those found in IIb Engineering Goals.)

1. Is the problem stated clearly & unambiguously?
2. Was the problem sufficiently limited to allow plausible attack? Good scientists can identify important problems capable of solutions.
3. Was there a procedural plan for obtaining a solution?
4. Are the variables clearly recognized & defined?
5. If controls were necessary, did the student recognize their need & were they correctly used?
6. Are there adequate data to support the conclusions?
7. Does the student or team recognize the data's limitations?
8. Does the student/team understand the project's ties to related research?
9. Does the student/team have an idea of what further research is warranted?
10. Did the student/team cite scientific literature, or only popular literature (i.e. local newspapers, Reader's Digest, etc.)?

1. Does the project have a clear objective?
2. Is the objective relevant to the potential user's needs?
3. Is the solution workable? Acceptable to the potential user? Economically feasible?
4. Could the solution be utilized successfully in design or construction of an end product?
5. Is the solution a significant improvement over previous alternatives?
6. Has the solution been tested for performance under conditions of use?

1. Was the purpose carried out to completion within the scope of the original intent?
2. How completely was the problem covered?
3. Are the conclusions based on a single experiment or replication?
4. How complete are the project notes?
5. Is the student/team aware of other approaches or theories?
6. How much time did the student or team spend on the project?
7. Is the student/team familiar with scientific literature in the studied field?

1. Does the student/team have the required laboratory, computation, observational & design skills to obtain supporting data?
2. Where was the project performed? (i.e. home, school laboratory, university laboratory) Did the student or team receive assistance from parents, teachers, scientists or engineers?
3. Was the project completed under adult supervision, or did the student/team work largely alone?
4. Where did the equipment come from? Was it built independently by the student or team? Was it obtained on loan? Was it part of a laboratory were the student or team worked?

1. How clearly does the student discuss his/her/their project & explain the purpose, procedure, & conclusions? Watch out for memorized speeches that reflect little understanding of principles.
2. Does the written material reflect the student or team's understanding of the research?
3. Are the important phases of the project presented in an orderly manner?
4. How clearly are the data presented?
5. How clearly are the results presented?
6. How well does the project display explain the project?
7. Was the presentation done in a forthright manner, without tricks or gadgets?
8. Did the student/team perform all the project work, or did someone help?

1. Are the tasks & contributions of each team member clearly outlined?
2. Was each team member fully involved with the project, & is each member familiar with all aspects?
3. Does the final work reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members?
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Last Updated: 3 July, 2000
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Comments: Calumet Regional Science Fair Web Master
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