Category: Time Limit

Undeveloped

Presentation exceeds the time limit by more than 2 minutes and is stopped by the teacher.
0 points

Emerging

Presentation exceeds time limit by no more than 2 minutes.
1 point

Developing

Presentation exceeds time limit by no more than 1 minute.
2 points

Well Developed

Presentation does not exceed 5-8 minutes.
3 points

 

Category: Content

Undeveloped

Students present few aspects of the project clearly, concisely, and logically. Numerous ambiguities and/or omissions make it difficult for the audience to understand the project.
0 points

Emerging

Students present some aspects of the project clearly, concisely, and logically. Ambiguities and/or omissions prevent the audience from understanding the project.
3 points

Developing

Students present most aspects of the project clearly, concisely, and logically. Minor ambiguities and/or omissions do not prevent the audience from understanding the project.
6 points

Well Developed

Students present all aspects of the project clearly, concisely, and logically so the audience understand the project.
9 points

 

Category: Poise

Undeveloped

Presentation skills are lacking entirely; it appears little or no preparation was done. Presentation lacks enthusiasm and confidence, and students regularly lose eye contact, turn their backs on the audience, and fidget with their clothing/hair/etc.
0 points

Emerging

Presentation skills need significant improvement; it appears minimal preparation was done. Presentation lacks enthusiasm or confidence, and students regularly lose eye contact, turn their backs on the audience, and/or fidget with their clothing/hair/etc.
2 points

Developing

Presentation skills need minor improvement; it appears some advanced preparation was done. Presentation lacks enthusiasm or confidence, or students occasionally lose eye contact, turn their backs on the audience, or fidget with their clothing/hair/etc.
4 points

Well Developed

Students present all information confidently and display enthusiasm for the project. Students face the audience, maintain eye contact, and do not read from the display board or notes. Advanced preparation is clearly evident.
6 points

 

Category: Oral Skills

Undeveloped

Students consistently mumble, speak softly/quickly, and do not address all members of the audience.
0 points

Emerging

Students frequently mumble or speak softly/quickly, and do not address all members of the audience.
2 points

Developing

Students occasionally mumble or speak softly/quickly, or do not address all members of the audience.
4 points

Well Developed

Students speak clearly all of the time with good volume and speed, and address all members of the audience.
6 points

 

Category: Q & A Session

Undeveloped

Students do not respond respectfully to their peers, and cannot answer basic questions accurately and clearly (within reason). Students demonstrate no understanding of their topic.
0 points

Emerging

Students do not respond respectfully to their peers, or can answer only some basic questions accurately and clearly (within reason). Students demonstrate minimal understanding of their topic.
1 point

Developing

Students respond respectfully to their peers, but can answer only some questions accurately and clearly (within reason). Students demonstrate a basic understanding of their topic.
2 points

Well Developed

Students respond respectfully to their peers, and can answer most questions accurately and clearly with appropriate detail (within reason). Students demonstrate a strong understanding of their topic.
3 points

Category: Size & Layout

Undeveloped

Poster size does not meet ISEF requirements AND multiple sections are missing or out of order.
0 points

Emerging

Poster size does not meet ISEF requirements OR multiple sections are missing or out of order.
1 point

Developing

Poster size does not meet ISEF requirements OR a section is missing or out of order.
2 points

Well Developed

Poster size meets ISEF requirements, and contains all sections in the appropriate order.
3 points

 

Category: Content

Undeveloped

Few sections convey the information correctly; 5 or more sections may be vague, or may be too long/short.
0 points

Emerging

Some sections convey the information correctly; 3-4 sections may be vague, or may be too long/short.
3 points

Developing

Most sections convey the information correctly, but 1-2 sections may be vague, or may be too long/short.
6 points

Well Developed

All sections clearly, concisely and correctly convey the information needed to understand the project.
9 points

 

Category: Aesthetics

Undeveloped

Display board is very difficult to follow because it is messy, not organized well, lacks labels, and/or might be missing required sections of the project.
0 points

Emerging

Display board is somewhat difficult to follow because it is messy, not organized well, lacks labels, or might be missing required sections of the project.
1 point

Developing

Display board is functional and has adequate artistic value. It displays all required sections of the project.
2 points

Well Developed

Display board presents all information easily and neatly, and has a higher artistic value. Much time and care is evident.
3 points

 

Category: Writing Conventions and Citations

Undeveloped

There are 7+ more errors in mechanics, grammar, spelling, punctuation, or APA format (bibliography). None of the pictures, diagrams, etc., have proper captions and citations.
0 points

Emerging

There are 5-6 errors in mechanics, grammar, spelling, punctuation, or APA format (bibliography). Some pictures, diagrams, etc., have proper captions and citations.
2 point

Developing

There are 3-4 errors in mechanics, grammar, spelling, punctuation, or APA format (bibliography). Most pictures, diagrams, etc., have proper captions and citations.
4 points

Well Developed

There are 0-2 errors in mechanics, grammar, spelling, punctuation, or APA format (bibliography). All pictures, diagrams, etc., have proper captions and citations.
6 points

Category: Purpose

Undeveloped

The purpose is missing.
0 points

Emerging

The purpose is vague and/or too lengthy.
1 point

Developing

The purpose is clear, but is too lengthy.
2 points

Well Developed

Purpose is clear and concise.
3 points

 

Category: Hypothesis

Undeveloped

The hypothesis and predicted results are missing.
0 points

Emerging

The hypothesis does not clearly discuss the relationship between variables. Predicted results cannot be measured quantitatively.
1 point

Developing

The hypothesis does not clearly discuss the relationship between variables, or the results cannot be measured quantitatively.
2 points

Well Developed

The hypothesis clearly discusses the relationship between the variables. The predicted results are can be measured quantitatively.
3 points

 

Category: Methods

Undeveloped

The methods show no understanding of the scientific method. There are errors in 4-5 required items, or the methods are missing.
0 points

Emerging

The methods show a weak understanding of the scientific method. There are errors in 2-3 required items.
3 points

Developing

The methods show a good understanding of the scientific method, but there is an error in 1 required item.
6 points

Well Developed

The methods show a strong understanding of the scientific method.Methods are complete and clear enough to be reproduced. Methods are appropriate for the hypothesis tested; IV & DV are appropriate. There are adequate experimental and control groups, and constants. Trials are repeated. Quantitative data is collected.
9 points

 

Category: Data

Undeveloped

The data is missing or disorganized; tables/graphs are not appropriate, and/or there are 5 or more errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
0 points

Emerging

The data is incomplete or disorganized; tables/graphs are not appropriate, or there are 3-4 errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
3 points

Developing

The data is complete and well organized, but the tables/graphs may not be the most appropriate, or there are a 1-2 errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
6 points

Well Developed

Data is complete and well organized into appropriate tables and graphs that are neat and easy to read. Tables and graphs have proper titles, measurement units, row/column/axis labels; graph axes are correctly scaled. Statistical analyses are included, when appropriate.
9 points

 

Category: Conclusion

Undeveloped

The conclusion is missing OR the data analysis, inconsistencies in the data, limitations and sources of error in the experiment, and future questions are incomplete or vague, or multiple items are missing.
0 points

Emerging

Conclusion provides an inadequate analysis of the data. There are significant errors in interpretation of the data and/or limited insight is provided. There is an inadequate discussion of inconsistencies in the data, limitations and sources of error in the experiment, and future questions. The discussion may lack thorough analysis of 2 or more of these items, and/or there are significant errors in the discussion.
4 points

Developing

Conclusion provides an adequate analysis of the data, but there are minor errors in interpretation of the data or limited insight provided. There is an adequate discussion of inconsistencies in the data, limitations and sources of error in the experiment, and future questions. However, the discussion may lack thorough analysis of 1 of these items, or there are only minor errors in the discussion.
8 points

Well Developed

Conclusion provides a clear, thorough, accurate, and insightful interpretation of the data. Discusses any inconsistencies or unexpected results and possible factors/errors that may have led to the results. Conclusion addresses limitations of the experiment and sources of errors, and provided possible solutions to address them. Possible future experiments and/or new research questions are included.
12 points

 

Category: Practical Application

Undeveloped

Practical applications are missing.
0 points

Emerging

Practical applications are vague. They may not be relevant or related to the topic studied.
1 point

Developing

Practical applications are relevant and related to the topic studied, but they are not clearly described.
2 points

Well Developed

Practical applications are relevant, and clearly related to the topic studied.
3 points

 

Category: Scientific Principles

Undeveloped

Students demonstrate no understanding of the scientific principles behind the project, or the explanation is missing.
0 points

Emerging

Students demonstrate minimal understanding of the scientific principles behind the project.
3 points

Developing

Students demonstrate a basic understanding of the scientific principles behind the project.
6 points

Well Developed

Students demonstrate a strong understanding of the scientific principles behind the project.
9 points

Category: Research Problem and Goal

Undeveloped

The practical need/problem and is missing, and no specific goal is provided.
0 points

Emerging

The practical need/problem and goal is vague.
2 points

Developing

The practical need/problem is clearly and concisely stated, but the goal is vague.
4 points

Well Developed

A practical need or problem is clearly and concisely identified. A specific goal to address the need/problem is included.
6 points

 

Category: Engineering Design

Undeveloped

The designs show no understanding of the engineering process. The models, prototypes or programs do not address the intended goals, and they have not been tested, modified, and retested adequately. Quantitative data is not collected at each stage of the process to allow for comparisons.
0 points

Emerging

The designs show a weak understanding of the engineering process. The models, prototypes or programs do not address the intended goals, or they have not been tested, modified, and retested adequately. Quantitative data is not collected at each stage of the process to allow for comparisons.
4 points

Developing

The designs show a good understanding of the engineering process. The models, prototypes or programs address intended goals. However, they may not have been tested, modified, and retested adequately, or quantitative data is not collected at each stage of the process to allow for comparisons.
8 points

Well Developed

The designs show a strong understanding of the engineering process. The models, prototypes or programs address intended goals, and they are tested, modified, and retested, as needed. Quantitative data is collected at each stage of the process to allow for comparisons.
12 points

 

Category: Data

Undeveloped

The data is missing or disorganized; tables/graphs are not appropriate, and/or there are 5 or more errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
0 points

Emerging

The data is incomplete or disorganized; tables/graphs are not appropriate, or there are 3-4 errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
3 points

Developing

The data is complete and well organized, but the tables/graphs may not be the most appropriate, or there are a 1-2 errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
6 points

Well Developed

Data is complete and well organized into appropriate tables and graphs that are neat and easy to read. Tables and graphs have proper titles, measurement units, row/column/axis labels; graph axes are correctly scaled. Statistical analyses are included, when appropriate.
9 points

 

Category: Conclusion

Undeveloped

The data is missing or disorganized; tables/graphs are not appropriate, and/or there are 5 or more errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
0 points

Emerging

The data is incomplete or disorganized; tables/graphs are not appropriate, or there are 3-4 errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
3 points

Developing

The data is complete and well organized, but the tables/graphs may not be the most appropriate, or there are a 1-2 errors in formatting (titles, labels, units, axes).
6 points

Well Developed

Data is complete and well organized into appropriate tables and graphs that are neat and easy to read. Tables and graphs have proper titles, measurement units, row/column/axis labels; graph axes are correctly scaled. Statistical analyses are included, when appropriate.
9 points

 

Category: Engineering Principles

Undeveloped

Students demonstrate no understanding of the engineering principles behind the project, or the explanation is missing.
0 points

Emerging

Students demonstrate minimal understanding of the engineering principles behind the project.
3 points

Developing

Students demonstrate a basic understanding of the engineering principles behind the project.
6 points

Well Developed

Students demonstrate a strong understanding of the engineering principles behind the project.
9 points