Judging Criteria

K-3 - Grade 4 - 5 - Grade 6-12 - Special K-5 - Special 6-12

The scientific method - The log book

Presentation - Safety

Both groups (Kindergarten-1 and 2-3) will have the following judging criteria, but will be judged according to their appropriate level and within their own division.  Kindergarten and grade 1 will be allowed to create a scientific display or demonstration instead of the same criteria as grades 2 and 3 if they wish.

The intent of grades 2 and 3 is to get the student to ask and answer a question about some facet of science. They do not have to do a research project. They should, however, have a specific question and answer that question.  They will be judged on:

Grade 4 - Grade 5

This age group should be establishing an understanding of the scientific method. The student should show both experimentation and book research in his/her project. A log book (containing dates, times, places of experimentation, lists of materials, procedures, thoughts, etc.) will be required. A formal report is not necessary, though the following information should appear somewhere in the project: a clear statement of the problem, experimental methods, presentation of data (graphs, pictures, etc.), results, summary, acknowledgments (including any parental help), and bibliography. They will be judged on:

Grade 6 - Grade 12

Both groups (6-8 and 9-12) will have the following judging criteria, but will be judged according to their appropriate level and within their own division.

At this level of age and experience, students should be exploring more creative attempts at problem solving that utilize the scientific method. The project should show evidence of laboratory and analysis skills, be supported by a well documented log book (required) as well as a review of scientific literature that relates to the question asked. Note: an adequate review will include the search results of several Internet search engines, but also library test/journal research.

A typed formal report is required for grades 9-12, which should include the following: A clear statement of the question / problem, experimental design and methods, presentation and analysis of data, statement of results and conclusion, acknowledgements (including all help received) and a bibliography. See high school entrant information for more details. While the 6-8 division is not required to have a formal report, it is encouraged, and the expectation is that this information will be presented somewhere within the project display.

Judging criteria for both groups will be as follows:

Special Education Science Kindergarten - Grade 5

This division is designed for Special Education students. Participants allowed in this category shall be either cognitively delayed or are learning disabled students receiving science instruction in special education. All entry forms submitted in this category must be signed by a special education instructor. The form may be signed next to or below the the parent or guardian's signature. This additional signature is necessary to ensure only those students who are eligible for this division are entered in it.

Students will ask and answer a specific question relating to science. Their project should reflect research and experimentation. Use of a log book is encouraged, but not required. These entries will be judged on:

Special Education Science Grade 6 - Grade 12

This division is designed for Special Education students. Participants allowed in this category shall be either cognitively delayed or are learning disabled students receiving science instruction in special education. All entry forms submitted in this category must be signed by a special education instructor. The form may be signed next to or below the the parent or guardian's signature. This additional signature is necessary to ensure only those students who are eligible for this division are entered in it.

Students will ask and answer a specific question relating to science. Their project should reflect research and experimentation. They should keep a log book. They will be judged on:

THE LOG BOOK

The log book should be an informal recording made each day. It should show the scientist's work. The log book should start with the observations and questions that are the beginning of planning the experiment. It should also include any reference material you use to help you, the materials and methods you are using to answer the question, and measurements and other data as they are collected.

Since the log book is a daily diary of the project, it is not expected to be neat (but it should be legible), and it should not be recopied. As when entering anything in a diary, a date and time should be entered each time you write in your log book. Every time you work on your project, it should be recorded in the log book.

At the end of the project, the log book should contain all the information you used to prepare the display and write the formal report (if one is required).

THE PRESENTATION

The poster presentation should include the research question, an explanation of the experiment, and the results. Data are best displayed in a visual way using charts, graphs, or diagrams. The presentation should be brief and clear enough for viewers and judges to understand the project.

SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY!