The following criteria will be used to judge the oral presentations:
1. Quality of the research and experimentation as evidenced by:
the clarity in stating the problem;
identification of the important variables;
originality and ingenuity in the research design or apparatus;
selection of proper equipment for the research task;
recognition of the limitations in the accuracy and significance of the results obtained;
limitations of conclusions drawn to those which are clearly supported by the results.
2. Evidence of the student's understanding of the scientific and technical principles involved in the investigation.
3. Creativity/Originality in the choice of and in the investigation of the topic.
4. Acknowledgment of major assistance. The student speaker must acknowledge any direct assistance received. As a researcher, the student is neither rewarded nor penalized by the judges for utilizing special advisors or equipment. Examples of areas of assistance which should be acknowledged include: selecting the topic of research; planning and/or guiding the course of the research; gathering data; and construction of apparatus.
5. The quality of the oral and written presentations as evidenced by the organization of the paper; use of audio-visuals; the clarity of enunciation; the use of acceptable terms and grammar; the voice projection; the definition of terms when necessary; and the capacity to handle the questions that are asked. The presentation is important in the evaluation of the student, but content, not form, will be given the major weight.
Complaints: We recognize the enormous effort that students undertake
in conducting their research. Therefore, our objective is to ensure an
equitable competition by selecting qualified judges and by communicating the
rules of competition to both students and judges. We realize that in any
competition of this nature, differences of opinion about the judge’s
interpretations may occur. It is the policy the