Science Fair Display Rubric – Judging Guide

Student Name ______Class Period ______Judges Name ______

Poor =2 pt. / Fair = 4 pt. / Good =6 pt / Excellent =8 pt
Question, Hypothesis, & Variables / Hypothesis is unrelated to the purpose of the project. It is not tested throughout the project.Did not mention dependent and independent variables. / Hypothesis is stated correctly, but does not correlate to the purpose of the project and is not testable. Variables were not completely described or were incorrectly classified as dependent orindependent. / Hypothesis correlates to the purpose but is not stated as an if/then/because statement.. Variables were identified and classified as dependent and independent. / Hypothesis is testable and directly correlates to the purpose. It is stated as an if/then/because statement. Variables were classified as dependent and independent.Gives Constants and Controlled Variables
Materials
/ Materials are not appropriate for the experiment or list of materials missing. / Materials are missing a few things the teacher feels could add to the accuracy of the experiment. List did not show details about items used. / Materials are appropriate for the experiment but reproducibility is uncertain. List was not specific for all items regarding sizes and units of measurement. / Materials are appropriate for the experiment and reproducibility is possible.. Showed information about size and units of measurement.
Experimental Procedure / Student did not use appropriate materials and incorrectly stated the procedure so that anyone wishing to do the experiment gets varied results. / Student used appropriate materials and stated the procedure so that anyone wishing to do the experiment can perform it but must guess what to do at more than 2 steps. / Student used appropriate materials and stated the procedure so that anyone wishing to do the experiment can perform it but must guess what to do at 1-2 steps. / Student used appropriate materials and correctly stated the procedure so that anyone wishing to do the experiment can perform it and get the same results.
Data-Tables & Graphs
/ No axes are labeled. It is unclear what the data represents without referring to the written results / Some axes are labeled. Results must be referenced (more than twice) to gain an understanding of the data. / Most axes are labeled. Results must be referenced (at least once) to gain an understanding of the data. / All axes are labeled. Data is understood but results may have to be referenced.
Results/Analysis / Does not explain the data. Unclear what happened in the experiment after reading the results. / Somewhat explains the data but the reader must see a chart or graph to gain a clear understanding of the project's results. / Almost explains data and tells what happened in the experiment. The reader must see a chart or graph to gain a clear understanding of the project's results. / Mostly explains data and tells what happened in the experiment with one question. If no data were provided, a reader would still understand what happened in the experiment.
Conclusion / Student neither explains the results of the experiment nor tells if the hypothesis was correct or incorrect. / Student explains if hypothesis was correct or incorrect. / Student explains the results of the project but leaves some question about what was supposed to happen and what actually did. Student explains if hypothesis was proved or refuted. / Student explains the results of the project and draws a difference between what was supposed to happen and what actually did. Student explains if hypothesis was proved or refuted. Student exemplifies an understanding of the scientific process.
References and Acknowledgments / No attempt to display references or Acknowledgements. / Student shows an attempt to list references or Acknowledgements / Student displays references (APA format) or Acknowledgements / Student displays both references (APA format) and Acknowledgements
Presentationof Display Board / Board is not neat and seems haphazardly thrown together. / Board is decorated nicely. / Board is decorated nicely and neatly. Only / Board is decorated nicely and neatly. The decoration draws a visitor to the board and keeps their attention.
Student Interview / Student does not seem to understand the scientific method very well and/or gives little information about their project. / Student shows a good understanding of parts of the scientific experiment and/or describes their experiment some. / Student shows a good understanding of the scientific method and/or describes their experiment well / Student shows a full understanding of the scientific method and describes their experiment with details.
Total Points
72