Judges
If you have any questions or concerns a please email rsef@lcps.org.
START HERE - Orientation
This website is intended to provide judges with the opportunity to preview student projects in preparation for the in-person event on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at John Champe High School. The students have submitted a Slide Presentation (using provided Google Slide template) and a Video Presentation (summarizing their work in 3 slides).
General Information
We ask judges to remember that these are high school students’ projects and not those of a Ph.D. candidate or science professionals. While experimentation is the most often considered model of science research, there are other examples that are just as valid in making contributions to science and are encouraged and valued by LCPS. These include:
Theoretical – Theoretical models examine observations and data within a context with the intention of developing new theoretical assumptions. These may use mathematical or statistical analyses to explore a question. The result of theoretical science research is often new predictions or hypotheses that can be further tested.
Observational/field – Experimental research allows for isolating variables, but in nature, variables do not act in isolation. Therefore, it is important to examine how an intact system would function. Observational/field studies gather data on specific activities that are not found in a controlled laboratory environment. Observational/field studies are often used in natural science fields such as ecology, environmental sciences, epidemiology, anthropology, or animal behavior.
Secondary Data – Secondary research involves the use of data sets that may be available through a variety of sources (previous studies, public data, etc.). In some instances, the data is collected continuously (census data, weather data) for non-research purposes. This data can be used to explore new and unique questions.
Meta Analysis – An investigation exploring results of multiple published studies using statistical techniques that combines these results to determine if overall effects are significant.
Computational – This field of science research uses mathematics and operations science to design computational models, which can be converted into practical applications. These are also known as design models.
LCPS values both basic research (investigations exploring an understanding of the natural world with no apparent application to solving an identified problem) and applied research (investigations exploring a question that addresses an identified problem or concern). Therefore, students may or may not have identified how the information connects to a potential problem. However, students doing basic research should discuss future questions and research in relation to what is and is not known.
Sources of Help
No project can be creative and original in all aspects, and in addition, judges must keep in mind that they are dealing with high school students. Student projects should be judged in high school-level terms.
All professionals receive help in some way; therefore, a student should not be penalized for receiving help from others. But, credit for creative ability and originality should be given in regard to the student’s own contributions.
For example, did the student get an idea for their project from a textbook suggestion for research, from a summer mentor, teacher or other professional? Or did the student develop the idea alone, as a result of reading or work done? If the student developed the idea without help, it would be considered more creative.
Some data are impossible for students to collect themselves because of a variety of constraints. Therefore, students should not be penalized for not physically collecting data. It is important to consider this when students are relying on data obtained through external sources. For instance, historical data can be a useful source of information for answering research questions, but the time constraints of RSEF projects make it unrealistic for students to personally collect this type of data. Additionally, resource limitations make it difficult for high school students to have access to some types of research instruments. Much like scientists in the same situation, students may need to send collected materials to companies that specialize in a particular test or technique to complete their project. In all cases, students should be able to justify, analyze and explain the results, and limitations of data obtained regardless of the origin of the data.
Category Judging General Information
Projects are judged based on the quality of the work done on a project in science, engineering, or mathematics by a high school student, and that student’s understanding of the project and their area of research.
A project should involve laboratory, field, or theoretical work, not just library research or gadgeteering.
Judges are asked to remember they are not grading students’ work. Instead, they are allowing each student to demonstrate what they learned. During the interview, this means judges should:
encourage a response, rather than interrogate; and
highlight strengths, rather than find fault.
Projects should ONLY be compared with other projects in the same category.
The LCPS RSEF follows the judging criteria established by the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Students are encouraged to design their project files in a clear and informative manner to allow pre-interview evaluation and to enable the interview to become an in-depth discussion. Considerable emphasis is placed on two areas: Creativity and Presentation, especially the during the judges interviews and are discussed in more detail below.
Creativity: A creative project demonstrates imagination and inventiveness. Such projects often offer different perspectives that open up new possibilities or new alternatives. Judges should place emphasis on research outcomes in evaluating creativity.
Presentation/Interview: The presentation and quad-chart provide an opportunity to evaluate the participant(s) project design and work. The video will give the chance to see students explain their results at a higher level.
If the project was done at a research or industrial facility, the judge should determine the degree of independence of the participant(s) in conducting the project.
If the project was completed at home or in a school laboratory, the judge should determine if the participant(s) received any mentoring or professional guidance.
If the project is a multi-year effort, the presentation should focus ONLY on the current year’s work.
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.
Student Submissions and Navigating the Website
Student projects are displayed on the RSEF Google Site. Student projects are organized by category.
Approximately 244 projects are exhibited from Loudoun County high schools. Students have created 2 PDF project files for RSEF following guidance and using templates as provided by the Virtual Display Guidelines. The virtual exhibit files are:
Project Presentation - Slide presentation (12 slides max)
Video Presentation - Narrated overview of the project (5 min max)
Students were provided Google Sheet Templates to use for all of the submissions and were provided example submissions.
Science Project Criteria
I. Research Question
clear and focused purpose
identifies contribution to field of study
testable using scientific methods
II. Design and Methodology
well-designed plan and data collection methods
variables and controls defined, appropriate and complete
III. Execution: Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation
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
project demonstrates significant creativity in one or more of the above criteria
V. Presentation Materials & Interview
a. Presentation Materials
logical organization of material
clarity of graphics and legends
supporting documentation displayed
b. Interview
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
Engineering Project Criteria
I. Research Problem
description of a practical need or problem to be solved
definition of criteria for proposed solution
explanation of constraints
II. Design and Methodology
exploration of alternatives to answer need or problem
identification of a solution
development of a prototype/model
III. Execution: Construction and Testing
prototype demonstrates intended design
prototype has been tested in multiple conditions/trials
prototype demonstrates engineering skill and completeness
IV. Creativity
project demonstrates significant creativity in one or more of the above criteria
V. Presentation Materials & Interview
a. Presentation Materials
logical organization of material
clarity of graphics and legends
supporting documentation displayed
b. Interview
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
Abstract Book and Category Links
Use the links below to navigate to the category you are judging or use the dropdown menu in the upper left of the webpage.