Judging Criteria

The following evaluation criteria are used for judging at the NSEF Pakistan and the Regeneron ISEF. As shown below, science and engineering have different criteria, each with five sections as well as suggested scoring for each section. Each section includes key items to consider for evaluation both before and after the interview.

Students are encouraged to design their posters in a clear and informative manner to allow pre-interview evaluation and to enable the interview to become an in-depth discussion. Judges examine the student notebook and, if present, any special forms such as Form 1C (Regulated Research Institution/Industrial Setting). Considerable emphasis is placed on two areas: Creativity and Presentation, especially in the Interview section, and are discussed in more detail below.

Creativity & Potential Impact: A creative project demonstrates imagination and inventiveness. Such projects often offer different perspectives that open up new possibilities or new alternatives. Similarly, a project’s impact or potential impact on the world can be a key element to consider. If not clearly demonstrated or tested, does the student recognize and envision the potential impact? Judges place emphasis on research outcomes and analysis in evaluating creativity and potential impact.

Presentation/Interview: The interview provides the opportunity to interact with the finalists and evaluate their understanding of the project’s basic science, interpretation and limitations of the results and conclusions.

If the project was done at a research or industrial facility, the judge determines the degree of independence of the finalist in conducting the project, which is documented on Form 1C.
If the project was completed at home or in a school laboratory, the judge determines if the finalist received any mentoring or professional guidance.
Please note that both team and individual projects are judged together, and projects should be judged only on the basis of their quality. However, all team members should demonstrate significant contributions to and an understanding of the project.

Judging Criteria for Science Projects

I. Research Question (10 pts)

___ clear and focused purpose

___ identifies contribution to field of study

___ testable using scientific methods

II. Design and Methodology (15 pts)

___ well designed plan and data collection methods

___ variables and controls defined, appropriate and complete

III. Execution: Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation (20 pts)

___ systematic data collection and analysis

___ reproducibility of results

___ appropriate application of mathematical and statistical methods

___ sufficient data collected to support interpretation and conclusions

IV. Creativity & Potential Impact (20 pts)

___ project demonstrates significant creativity in one or more of the above criteria

___ project has impact or potential impact in its field and/or in technology, economy, environment or society

V. Presentation (35 pts)

a. Poster 10 pts)

___ logical organization of material

___ clarity of graphics and legends

___ supporting documentation displayed

b. Interview (25 pts)

___ clear, concise, thoughtful responses to questions

___ understanding of basic science relevant to project

___ understanding interpretation and limitations of results and conclusions

___ degree of independence in conducting project

___ recognition of potential impact in science, society and/or economics

___ quality of ideas for further research

___ for team projects, contributions to and understanding of project by all members

Judging Criteria for Engineering Projects

I. Research Problem (10 pts)

___ description of a practical need or problem to be solved

___ definition of criteria for proposed solution

___ explanation of constraints

II. Design and Methodology (15 pts)

___ exploration of alternatives to answer need or problem

___ identification of a solution

___ development of a prototype/model

III. Execution: Construction and Testing (20 pts)

___ prototype demonstrates intended design

___ prototype has been tested in multiple conditions/trials

___ prototype demonstrates engineering skill and completeness