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Judging Process and Criteria
Judging Process and Criteria
Entries will be judged based on seven (7) categories: topic, map presentation, cartography, imported data, student-created data, geographic analysis, and documentation. See the section Judging Categories below for more details. Each category has a potential number of points available. Students with the highest total points win.
Entries will be compared and judged separately for each class division: Elementary School (grades K-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12). Up to three winners will be selected from each division. However, if a class division does not receive at least 3 total entries, then additional awards may be distributed to the other student groups at the discretion of the competition judges.
Click the links below to learn more about the judging rubric and scoring.
Judging Categories
Judging Categories
Topic
(5 points)
The topic is clearly stated. The topic answers an Arizona-based question, proposes a solution to an Arizona-based problem, and/or addresses an Arizona-based issue.
Map Presentation
(10 points)
The presentation is logically organized to answer an Arizona-based question, propose a solution to an Arizona-based problem, or address an Arizona-based issue. Relationships and patterns in data are clearly explained. Includes an explanation of how and why the data presented supports the claims that are introduced.
Cartography
(10 points)
The maps effectively highlight relationships and patterns in data which support the claims introduced. The composition, visualization, and interplay of layers (display scale, transparency, classification, symbolization, pop-ups, charts, tables, labels, filtering, legend appearance) facilitate the viewer's grasp of individual elements of the topic and story.
Classification: Data is presented using some form of classification such as population density, median income, etc.
Symbolization: The data has been symbolized by shape, color or size.
Filtering: Data has been filtered to show specific characteristics.
Imported Data
(5 points)
Refers to data that does not belong to the student. The data selected is appropriate, includes the most important elements, does not leave out any obviously important elements, and does not include irrelevant elements. Imported data should be documented in the ArcGIS StoryMap or the StoryMap's Item Details page.
Student-Created Data
(5 points)
Refers to data that belong to the student, such as data they created, either by creating the data from scratch or modifying a dataset owned by another organization (for example, merging US Census counties to create a custom region file). Five points are set aside to specifically reward students who create important data. Data created by the student(s) should be documented in the ArcGIS StoryMap or the StoryMap's Item Details page. Points awarded from 0 to 5 based the significance of the data created.
Geographic Analysis
(10 points)
The student(s) effectively used at least one type of geographic analysis. Here are some possible types of analysis:
What’s nearby
What’s inside
Most and least
Areas of concentration
Change over time
Documentation
(5 points)
Documentation in the StoryMap's Item Details page is clear and complete:
All non-original content (images, videos, text) are appropriately referenced and/or linked.
Original content is described and/or linked.
Documentation identifies processes used to analyze the content.
All persons who assisted in the project are identified (including specifying if no one did)
Project Tips
Project Tips
Refer to the Rules & Guidelines Page for guidelines and tips about preparing entries
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