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JUDGING
CRITERIA - F1 to F7
These criteria are divided up into three sections: Science,
Technology & Shared.
SCIENCE JUDGING CRITERIA
The focus is
usually on validating experiments which lead to the
gathering of data to prove or disprove the hypothesis or to
further investigate an aim or seek answers to questions.
In an hypothesis identify the cause and expected effect.
Validating tests should reproducibly (through
replication) show some of the following:
(a) When the cause was present, the effect resulted.
(b) If the cause was not present, the effect did not happen.
(c) The effect did not arise from causes other than that
stated in the hypothesis.
(d) If the cause was transferred to other systems, the same
effect resulted.
The tests should relate to the hypothesis
(or aim of the study).
The tests should not go beyond the hypothesised cause to
produce the effect.
Judgements about the novelty (originality, importance,
significance,
etc.) of the exhibit are less valid as these can not be
applied as rigorously.
Scientific Thought and Understanding
A science exhibit should show evidence of
appreciation for accuracy of observation, measurement,
presentation of data and reporting, along with an
understanding of the underlying or related scientific
principles embraced within the project.
Scientific thought and understanding may be demonstrated
in a project by some of the following:
• clear statements of intent;
• an effective plan and timetable;
• good experimental design with controls;
• clear description of methods and equipment used;
• variety in the way resources are used, measurements and
data are gathered;
• replication as required for an appropriate level of
accuracy;
• effective presentation of data e.g. graphs, tables,
etc.);
• an understanding of any computer program used in data
generation or processing;
• proof that data reproducibility is statistically valid
and / or recognition of limitations;
• identification of variables and sources of error;
• sound conclusions related to the observations and data
presented;
• discussions of significance of the findings to other
situations;
• recognition of any wider implications of the study.
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