NCSC - 2016 CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S SCIENCE CONGRESS – 2016 (NCSC)

CRITERIA  FOR  EVALUATION

By this time you are aware - what is a CSC project?

•      You are also aware about what are the elements in a ‘good’ CSC projects

•      Basic objective of evaluation would be to try to find out these elements in the CSC projects

A scientific project is a systematic study of problem carried out to find a rational solution to the problem. It involves:

•      Definition of the problem

•      Making hypothesis

•      Observation

•      Collection of data

•      Data analysis

•      Drawing conclusion & Proposing solution

Remember SMART Approach

•      S – Specific

•      M – Measurable

•      A – Appropriate

•      R – Realistic

•      T – Time Bound

Approaches of Evaluation

•      The innovative ideas and scientific methodology are the basis of a good project but one has to prove his communication skills also to make others listen and understand his findings. For doing this, a total cooperation in the group is a must. Accept positive criticism within the group or even from outside and improve the work plan.

Evaluation Criteria

i.  Originality of idea and concept: A unique or novel project idea which attempts to answer a specific question - (a hypothesis driven by curiosity to understand any concept related to focal theme). A proper explanation of origin of the idea may be demanded by the evaluator.

ii)  Relevance of the project to the theme: This section focuses on how the project is relevant  to the focal theme/sub-theme.

iii) Scientific understanding of the issue: Refers to the extent of knowledge the child scientist has in relation to the project idea.

iv) Data collection: Systematic collection of information using relevant tools/ interviews/ questionnaire. Sample size should be sufficient to support the issues under study.

v) Analysis: This includes tabulation, categorization/classification, and simple statistics as applicable to the study.

vi) Experimentation/Scientific study/validation: Conducting of experiments/field study and validation applying simple methods of science. Experiment need not be every sophisticated or lab based, they could be simple, self developed and inexpensive too.

vii) Interpretation and Problem solving attempt: To what extent the team has addressed the proposed hypothesis and the issue of the locality through the project.

viii) Team work: It refers to work division, cooperation and sharing among and beyond the team members (the child scientists).

ix) Background correction (Only for District level): In this case the background of the children is verified like geographical location of their school, village, town etc. in relation to infrastructure, information and other input related facilities available with them.

x) Report and Presentation: Written Report and Oral Presentation are evaluated separately. Reports are evaluated for its systematic presentation, tabulation of data in support of the project idea and the clarity with which the study is documented and explained. A Log Book (actually a Daily Diary) is mandatory and should be authenticated over the signature of the guide teacher daily.

xi) Follow up Action Plan (Only for State and National levels): The child scientists should try to find out scientific solution to the bothering problem. Has the team conveyed the message to the community? How it was communicated? Will effort continue to involve more people till the problem is solved? Was any action plan suggested? Credit shall be given for similar efforts.

xii) Improvement from the previous level (Only for State and National levels): This is to encourage the child scientists towards their continuous involvement with the project for its improvement. Improvements on the work from District to state level and then from State level to the national level will be given marks separately. The evaluators shall specify the areas of improvement on a separate sheet of paper.

xiii) Additional page(s): These must be there in the Project Report with detail description of works of improvement done after the previous level (particularly on the basis of the evaluators’ suggestion in the previous level).

Log Book

•      A Log Book (actually a Daily Diary) is mandatory and should be authenticated by the signature of the guide teacher daily. The day-to-day activity has to be neatly noted in the form of a log-book, and should be submitted with the project report at the time of submission. All the details, such as Project title, name of the group leader etc. should be written clearly on the cover.

Oral presentation

•      Oral presentation at the technical sessions of the congress is a very important component of the entire process.

•      Effective communication during briefing the issues of study, its objectives, and methodology adopted for the study, important observation and findings etc. is a very critical part of the exercise.

•      Because only 8 minutes time is allotted for the purpose. Therefore, one has to plan pragmatically for the purpose.

•      Children can use 4 different posters (which is mandatory). Poster must be prepared on 55 cm x 70 cm (21.6" x 27.5") drawing sheets (i.e. chart papers). If needed power point presentation may be used.

Posters

Posters should contain information on

•      (1) The project title,

•      (2) Names of the group members,

•      (3) Objectives,        (4) Map of the area,

•      (5) Methodology,   (6) Results,

•      (7) Conclusion,      

•      (8) Solution to the problem.

For effective evaluation following process will be essential

•      Selection of evaluators

•      Orientation of evaluators

•      Two phase evaluation – written report and oral presentation

•      Separate evaluation of posters may also be done

Who can be an evaluator?

•      Should have clear understanding on the method of science

•      Should be sensitive to the children – their strength, limitations and their curious mind

•      Should have academic/professional knowledge on the focal theme

•      Panel of evaluators should be good mixture of scientists, academician, and person with good knowledge on CSC projects

•      Should be post graduate in science, engineer, medical practitioner, science communicators, etc. and/or ex-Child Scientist of CSC who represented their state and at least completed their graduation.

Evaluators should note …..

•      The children have spent 1-2 months for their work and reached this level

•      They need encouragement

•      They should not feel that they are being quizzed during interaction

•      The interaction with child scientists should be for helping them and to extend suggestions for further improvement

•      Questions from audience are not allowed

•      One or two questions from other participating child scientists may be encouraged, but no marks will be given for that.

Model Consolidated Evaluation Sheet For District Level

Sl. No.	Criteria	Max. Marks	Written Report	Oral Presentation	Total
1	Originality of idea and concept	10
2	Relevance of the project to the theme	10
3	Understanding of the issue	15
4	Data collection & analysis	15
5	Experimentation/validation	10
6	Interpretation and Problem solving attempt	10
7	Team work	10
8	Background correction	10
9	Oral presentation/ written report (as applicable)	10
	TOTAL	100

Model Consolidated Evaluation Sheet For State Level

Sl. No.	Criteria	Max. Marks	Written Report	Oral Presentation	Total
1	Originality of idea and concept	05
2	Relevance of the project to the theme	05
3	Understanding of the issue	15
4	Data collection & analysis	15
5	Experimentation/validation	10
6	Interpretation and Problem solving attempt	15
7	Team work	05
8	Follow up action	10
9	Oral presentation/ written report (as applicable)	10
10	Improvement over the previous level suggested	10
	TOTAL	100