Judging Criteria
Science
Scientific requirements [50%]
Overall creativity of thinking [25%]
Oral presentation, project report and log [25%]
Art
Creative Presentation of Message [pass/fail, or distinction]
Scientific Requirements
Independent scientific research must be conducted in order for the project to be eligible. The scientific component will be evaluated according to the “process” and “thought” criteria applied in the assessment of projects within their subject areas on the first day of judging.
There are three types of projects:
1. Experiments
2. Innovations
3. Studies
1. Experiments
Experiments undertake an investigation to test a scientific hypothesis by the experimental method. At least one independent variable is manipulated; other variables are controlled. The best experimental projects involve original experimental research where most significant variables are identified and controlled and the data analysis is thorough and complete
LOW: Replicate a known experiment to confirm previous findings.
FAIR: Extend a known experiment with modest improvements to the procedures, data gathering and possible applications.
GOOD: Devise and carry out an original experiment. Identify the significant variables and attempt to control them. Analyse the results using appropriate arithmetic, graphical or statistical methods.
EXCELLENT: Devise and carry out original experimental research in which most significant variables are identified and controlled. The data analysis is thorough and complete.
2. Innovations
Innovations develop and evaluate new devices, models, theorems, physical theories, techniques, or methods in technology, engineering, computing, natural science, or social science. The best innovation projects integrate several technologies, inventions, social/behavioural interventions or design and construct an innovative application that will have human and/or commercial benefit. Alternatively, they may unify two or more existing physical theories and make verifiable predictions.
LOW: Build a model or device to duplicate existing technology or to demonstrate a well-known physical theory or social/behavioural intervention.
FAIR: Improve or demonstrate new applications for existing technological systems, social or behavioural interventions, existing physical theories or equipment, and justify them.
GOOD: Design and build innovative technology; or provide adaptations to existing technology or to social or behavioural interventions; extend or create new physical theory. Human benefit, advancement of knowledge, and/or economic applications should be evident.
EXCELLENT: Integrate several technologies, inventions, social/behavioural interventions or design and construct an innovative application that will have human and/or commercial benefit.
3. Studies
Analysis of, and possibly collections of, data using accepted methodologies from the natural, social, biological, or health sciences. Includes studies involving human subjects, biology field studies, data mining, observation and pattern recognition in physical and/or socio-behavioural data. The best projects of this type correlate information from a variety of peer-reviewed publications and from systematic observations, and reveal significant new information, or original solutions to problems. Quantitative studies should include appropriate analysis of some significant variable(s) using arithmetic, statistical, or graphical methods. Qualitative and/or mixed methods studies should include a detailed description of the procedures and/or techniques applied to gather and/or analyse the data.
LOW: Existing published material is presented, unaccompanied by any analysis.
FAIR: Existing published material is presented, accompanied by some modest analysis and/or a rudimentary study is undertaken that yields limited data that cannot support an analysis leading to meaningful results.
GOOD: The study is based on systematic observations and a literature search. Quantitative studies should include appropriate analysis of some significant variable[s] using arithmetic, statistical, or graphical methods. Qualitative and/or mixed methods studies should include a detailed description of the procedures and/or techniques applied to gather and/or analyse the data
[e.g. interviewing, observational field work, constant comparative method,
content analysis.]
EXCELLENT: The study correlates information from a variety of peer-reviewed publications and from systematic observations, and reveals significant new information, or original solutions to problems. As above, qualitative and/or mixed methods studies include a detailed description and analysis of the procedures and/or techniques applied to gather and/or analyse the data.
[e.g. interviewing, observational field work, constant comparative method, content analysis].
PLEASE NOTE:
THE SCIENTIFIC ASPECT OF EACH PROJECT WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THE SAME SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA APPLIED TO ANY PROJECT COMPETING AT THE FAIR. SPECIFIC CREITERIA MAY DIFFEREN FROM FAIR TO FAIR – CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS.
Overall Creativity of Thinking
LOW: The project design is simple with little evidence of student imagination. It can be found in books or magazines.
FAIR: The project design is simple with some evidence of student imagination. It uses common resources or equipment. The topic is a current or common one.
GOOD: This imaginative project makes creative use of the available resources. It is well developed, and some aspects are above average.
EXCELLENT: This highly original project demonstrates a novel approach. It shows resourcefulness and creativity in the design, use of equipment, construction and/or the analysis.
Project Report, Log and Oral Presentation
All projects are required to submit a 5-page Project Report in PDF format. The report presents the project to the judges before the Fair, and is used to prepare for their interviews.
While working on their project, students are encouraged to keep a log of their work, which is displayed with the project. The log provides judges and others with the opportunity to see how the project developed and how challenges encountered in the process were met.
Participants usually prepare a 10-minute oral presentation on their project and allow 10 minutes for questions.
Creative Presentation of Message
You must include an element of artistic creativity in your science project to qualify for the EnviroExpo Special Award. Art must be incorporated into your project to enhance the communication of your science to others. This can be as simple as adding an element of design to your project display board, as complex as producing a video about your research or as far out as performing a song. Participants have total creative freedom and choice over what element of art they wish to include in their project. Projects that add art in an exceptional way to enhance their project will receive an honour of distinction, which will place their project above those that only receive a passing grade on the art component.
Some ideas include:
Music – write a song
Performance – act out a play
Graphic Design – enhance your display board with compelling images or designs that relate to your project
Web Design – create a web page
Video Production – produce a video
Painting – paint something on your display board or alternate surface
Sculpture – create a sculpture
Packaging Design – design packing for your project invention
Learn More
Learn more about how to add art to your science project by clicking here, or visit the sample projects page.
