Students

Judging criteria

Judges will use the following criteria to judge entries, although not all criteria will apply to each category. Entries will be judged in one of 3 age divisions and the judges recognise that the format of entries within each category and age divisions will vary considerably. Entrants should refer to the specific category information, in addition to the judging criteria when preparing their entries.

Category A - Communicating Science

Concept	How thoughtful, interesting and worthwhile is the concept that is being presented?
Creativity & Innovation	Has the concept that is being investigated been effectively demonstrated in a creative and innovative manner?
Planning & Communication	Is there evidence of background research and referencing (where applicable) How clearly has the target audience identified and choice of communiation justified? How effectively has the design process been described? How clearly has the concept been communicated both in the presentation (and other documentation) and through your initial discussion with the student(s)?
Data Processing	How well does the presentation address the specific need or scientific concept? Does it work as effectively as intended? Are all components complete? Were there difficulties encountered and were these overcome?
Visual Impact	Does the presentation address the concept and target audience in the intended way? Have appropriate and effective images and materials been used in the presentation of the concept? Does the presentation have a sense of flow and cohesion? Is the overall presentation professional with an attention to detail?

Category B - Technological Models and Inventions

Concept	Does the entry clearly demonstrate a specific identified need or scientific concept?
Creativity & Innovation	Has the concept that is being investigated been effectively demonstrated in a creative, original and innovative manner?
Planning & Communication	Is there evidence of background research and referencing (where applicable)? Have all contributor's been acknowledged? Is the target audience identified and choice of communication justified? How effectively has the design process or problem solving been described? Have the most suitable materials been used? Have the students gained access to appropriate equipment to construct their models/inventions?
Design	Is the model/invention easy for you to use in the intended way? Has the model/invention been constructed safely and is safe to use?
Visual Impact	Have appropriate materials been used in the model/invention of the concept? Does the model/invention have a sense of flow and cohesion? Is the overall presentation professional with an attention to detail and a neat and clean finish?
Data Processing	Has the invention been evaluated or the value of the model been established? How well does the model/invention address the specific need or scientific concept? Are all components complete? Were there difficulties encountered and were these overcome?

Category C - Scientific Investigations

Concept	How thoughtful, interesting and worthwhile is the concept that is being investigated?
Creativity & Innovation	Has the concept that is being investigated been effectively demonstrated in a creative, original and innovative manner?
Planning & Communication	Is there evidence of background research and referencing (where applicable)? Is there evidence of a clearly stated aim of the investigation either in the form of a question or hypothesis? Is there evidence of the use of appropriate data collection methods and materials? How clearly have the aim and method of the investigation been communicated both in the display (and other documentation) and through your initial discussion with student(s)? Has the data been collected and communicated thoughtfullym thoroughly and scientifically?
Data Processing	Is there evidence of the appropriate use of a control, sufficient replication control of variables, and the explanation of the chosen variables? How well did they change one variable (independent) to see how it affected another variable (dependent)? Have results been represented with care, with the collection of data, clear and meaningfully presented in appropriate tables, graphs and/or diagrams? How well have the results been discussed and concluded? Is there adequate data to support the conclusion(s)?
Visual Impact	Does the presentation clearly communicate the aim and method on the board? Is there evidence of the use of appropriate and effective images to demonstrate the investigation and results? Does the presentation have a sense of flow and cohesion? Is the overall presentation professional with an attention to detail and a neat and clean finish?
Delivery	How clearly have the students stated their conclusion(s)? Were there difficulties encountered and were these overcome?