Science Fair: Judging Procedure & Criteria

Judging Procedure

Judges for the event are pooled primarily from the academic departments of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and Mathematics and Computer Science and include faculty members, graduate, and undergraduate students, all of whom have expertise in the field of science.  The young scientists’ projects are judged by university professors and students on a variety of points, including scientific thought, clarity, skill, thoroughness, and creative ability. 

Judging Criteria

Each entry will be judged separately on its own merit. The judges will use the criteria as listed and will give consideration to the degree to which standards are met. Each entry will be evaluated on a point basis. 

Clarity

6 points - Judging will be based on how well an average person can understand an exhibit. Neat, brief guide marks, labels, and descriptions will be helpful. How well a spectator's attention follows through an exhibit will be important.

Skill

7 points - Good workmanship and how much an exhibit needs repairs, under normal working conditions, will be considered. In collections, skill in handling, preparing, mounting, or other treatments will be important.

Thoroughness

7 points - An exhibit will be judged on how completely the story is told. Details or working model's construction in explicit form are not necessary.

Creative Ability

10 points - Exhibits should show originality of approach or handling, regardless of the expense of the materials bought or borrowed. Weight will be given to ingenious use of materials. Collections will be considered creative if they seem to serve a purpose.

Scientific Thought

10 points - An exhibit will be judged on how well it discloses classification, accurate observation, and whether or not controls were used. It should show a verification of laws, or cause and effect, or present by models or other methods, a better understanding of scientific facts or theories. Consideration will be given to probable amounts of real study and effort which is represented. What might have been added or improved will not be considered.
 
TOTAL POINTS: 40