Healdsburg Area Science Fair - Project Evaluation Guidelines

Exceptional Good Sufficient Needs Improvement

Hypothesis very clearly stated. Hypothesis present but not Hypothesis incomplete or Hypothesis missing or
Question and Completely testable completely testable. difficult to test. obscure.
Hypothesis Impossible to test.
4 - 5 points 3 points 2 points 0 - 1 points
Well explained methods. Solid methods with good Adequate methods Methods not listed or
Sequential steps listed. descriptions. reasonable well followed. followed.
Strong evidence of method Understands relationship Opportunities for Obvious opportunities for
Experimental refinement to improve repeatability. between thoroughness of improvement not observed improvement overlooked or
Procedure Use of variables and controls. methods and repeatability of or not implemented. ignored.
results.

13 - 15 points 9 - 12 points 4 - 8 points 0 - 3 points

Evidence of extensive effort in
collecting meaningful data.
Appropriate data presentation
method selected.
Observation Well planned charts and tables.
and Analysis Graphs have sophisticated scales
and axes.
Extraneous data suppressed.
Evidence of good analysis of
results and close monitoring
of tests.
Data gathering appropriate for
experiment.
Notes explaining "outliers"
and trends.
Observations generally Data missing or corrupted.
match data presented. Poor interpretation of data
Some mis-interpretation or results.
resulting from improper data Absence of quantified data.
presentation method.
Shallow understanding of
experiment and results.

16 - 20 points 10 - 15 points 4 - 9 points 0 - 3 points

Status of hypothesis correctly and Conclusion is very objective. Conclusion is reasonably Conclusion missing or not
logically addressed in unbiased Explanations understood and objective. supported by rest of
manner. briefly expressed. Explanations not well presentation.
Validity of conclusions expressed or understood.
substantiated. Appears conclusion is
Conclusion Discussion is insightful and slightly forced to fit weak
demonstrates clear understanding results.
of research.
Mentions follow-on research.

13 - 15 points 9 - 12 points 4 - 8 points 0 - 3 points

Very original project or hypothesis
Creativity and with very original approach.
Originality
16 - 20 points
Very well organized on board and
in workbook.
Visuals, models and graphics
Clarity clearly support topic and goals.
Presentation flows very well.
Fairly common but with
original methods and goals.
10 - 15 points
Organized and orderly. Easy
to follow. Understandable
graphics.
Importance of quantifying
results is evident.
Common project modified for Overly executed project.
some originality. Lacking originality and
creativity.
4 - 9 points 0 - 3 points
Adequate correlation of data Difficult to follow thought
and conclusions. process.
Limited charts, tables and Lack of organization.
graphs. Missing components of
scientific method.

4 - 5 points 3 points 2 points 0 - 1 points

Project is eye catching. Attractive presentation. Adequate readability and Difficult to read due to
All descriptions are highly readable. Evidence of considerable view ability. sloppiness and
Good grammar, spelling and thought put into presentation. Presentation appears to be misspellings.
syntax. an afterthought. Visually uninteresting.
Workmanship
Neat and orderly. Lack of care distracts from
Models very well labeled. work.

9 - 10 points 6 - 8 points 3 - 5 points 0 - 2 points

Very thorough project.
Evidence of much time spent
planning, experimenting, refining,
and presenting.
Effort
Project worthy of further
competition.
Well planned experiment and
presentation.
Allowed adequate time for all
phases of project.
Overall adequate effort. Appears rushed.
May lack in one or more Hastily conducted and
areas. assembled.
Testing strong but conclusion Evidence of overall lack of
rushed or vice versa. interest in project or
findings.

9 - 10 points 6 - 8 points 3 - 5 points 0 - 2 points

Notes: This criteria is intended to be reasonably absolute in that it is not to be adjusted for grade level. Nonetheless, the points system is
skewed slightly for effort, observation and creativity - qualities achievable at all grade levels.
The goal of the Science Fair is to encourage the scientific thought process: Hypothesis / Testing / Results / Conclusion.
Therefore, a project incorporating an experiment will, in most cases, score higher then a project which is merely a demonstration.
 Project Evaluation Sheet
Name Physical Grade
Partner Life Number of Teams

Projects

Question and Hypothesis 5

Experimental Procedure 15

Observation and Analysis 20

Conclusion 15

Creativity and Originality 20

Clarity 5

Workmanship 10

Effort 10

Total 100

Notes

Instructions:
Meet with your partner and discuss how to evaluate your projects. After evaluating the projects, meet with any other judging teams for your grade
level. Assign one judge to pick-up a Final Decision Sheet and ribbons from the Judging Coordinator. After arriving at a consensus on grade winners:
First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention(s), record the results and place the ribbons on the projects. Return the Final Decision Sheet to the
coordinator so the winners can be contacted.
No scoring or grading notations are to be noted on the projects - these tallies are for judging use only. However please do fill out the Judging
Feedback Sheet for the benefit of the students.
coordinator so the winners can be contacted.
No scoring or grading notations are to be noted on the projects - these tallies are for judging use only. However please do fill out the Judging
Feedback Sheet for the benefit of the students.