Judging Criteria (U.S. National BioGENEius Challenge)

 1.    Scientific Merit and Creative Ability                                                    35%               

In this section, judges will evaluate the project’s overall relevance to the field of biotechnology as well as the originality and creativity demonstrated by the student in proposing and carrying out the project.  Does the project show creative problem solving, analysis and interpretation of the data?  Judges should also assess the level of science represented by the project, e.g. grade level, university level, etc.                                                                                                                        

-          Relevance to biotechnology                                                                   15%

-          Identify important problems and address solutions                           10%

-          Originality and creativity                                                                          5%

-          Ingenuity                                                                                                     5%

 2.           Project Execution                                                                                35%

Judges should evaluate the project’s design as an experiment or a demonstration of an application of biotechnology research. Also assess the scientific research skills shown by the student in carrying out the project.  Evaluate the student’s results in terms of data collection and analysis and the general validity of the conclusion reached. 

-          Project design                                                                                            10%

-          Skill levels demonstrated                                                                          10%

-          Validity of conclusion                                                                               10%

-          Results: data collection and analysis                                                       5%

 3.          Poster & Oral presentation                                                                 30%                           

The students’ visual and oral presentation of their poster design, objectives and conclusion is an important part of the judging process.  Assess the poster in terms of its clarity and layout in illustrating the science and techniques involved in the project.  Assess the oral presentation in terms of the level of scientific knowledge demonstrated, the student’s command of the scientific techniques involved and their ability to explain and defend their conclusions under questioning by the judges. 

-          Ability to explain and defend purpose, procedure and conclusion    10%

-          Demonstration of scientific knowledge                                                   10%

-          Command of techniques and skills                                                            5%

-          Poster clarity and layout                                                                             5%