Competition Rubric

  • Clarity: Did the speaker provide adequate background knowledge to make the talk and the importance of the project understandable?

  • Organization: Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?

  • Language matches audience: Was the topic and its significance communicated in a language appropriate to an interested, but non-specialist audience? (For example, did the speaker avoid or explain discipline-specific jargon?)

  • Significance: Did the presenter explain why the project mattered, addressing the impact and results of the research?

  • Delivery: How was the delivery, including pace, enthusiasm, confidence, body language, and dynamism of vocal delivery?

  • Visual: Did the slide enhance the presentation and help to emphasize the primary points of the talk? Was the slide well designed, clear, legible and concise?

  • Engagement: To what extent did the talk speak to your intellectual curiosity? Did it make you want to learn more about the topic?

This rubric is based on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being “Excellent.”