Judging Guidelines

. . . from

FALMOUTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FAIR

A. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE (20 PTS)

1. Researched literature in regard to basic concepts and other investigator's results?
2. Show understanding of basic concepts on which project depends?
3. Bibliography?

B. PROBLEM AND PROCEDURE (20 PTS)

1. Problem interested to student, significant; original?
2. Problem stated clearly and concisely?
3. If hypothesis is appropriate, stated clearly and concisely?
4. Procedure written concisely so another student-scientist could repeat experiment?

C. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN (20 PTS)

1. Does experimental design test the hypothesis?
2. Have appropriate controls been used?
3. Made best use of available equipment in solving problem?
4. Originality in method used? In use of household materials?
5. Observed safety precautions in conduct of experiment?

D. DATA (20 PTS)

1. Trials repeated?
2. Raw data recorded in laboratory notebook?
3. How accurate are data and observations?
4. Data (tables, graphs, etc.) presented in neat and logical manner?
5. Data analyzed to answer problem or test hypothesis?

E. CONCLUSIONS (20 PTS)

1. Are project conclusions consistent with original problem?
2. Are they clear and concise?
3. Is student aware of type, magnitude, and source of errors in data?
4. Does student know what improvements could make or what future problems might be investigated as result of project?

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