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
|