Methods of Project Evaluation The innovative ideas and use of scientific methodology are the primary basis of a good project but one has to prove his/her communication skills also to make others listen and understand his/her findings.

Evaluation Criteria

• 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). The idea should not be an exact replication of model projects as printed in the Activity Guide Book. A proper explanation of origin of the idea may be enquired by the evaluator(s).
• Relevance of the project to the theme: This section focuses on how the project is relevant and linked to the focal theme/sub-theme
• Scientific understanding of the issue: Refers to the extent of knowledge (scientific area, basic principles and concepts etc.) the child scientist has in relation to the project idea.
• Data collection: Systematic collection of information (qualitative and/or quantitative) using relevant tools - experimental data, interviews, surveys (socio-economic/ecological), case studies etc. Sample size should be statistically relevant and sufficient to support the issues under study.
• Analysis: This includes tabulation, categorization/classification, and simple statistics as applicable to the study.
• Experimentation/validation: Conducting of experiments/field study and validation applying simple methods of science. Experiment need not be very sophisticated but could be simple, self-developed and inexpensive too. Adequate importance should be given to the rigour of the process.
• Interpretation and Problem solving attempt: To what extent the group has addressed the proposed hypothesis and objectives through the project.
• Team work: It refers to work division, cooperation and sharing between and beyond the group.
• Background correction: 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. The logic is that children from difficult geographical situation must get some weightage in comparison to the children from advantageous geographical location. Non-school going children and children with disabilities also qualify for the weightage under this criterion.
• Report and Presentation: Written Report and Oral Presentation are to be evaluated separately. Reports are to be evaluated considering clarity of the objectives, design of methodology, experimental or survey design, systematic presentation of data, tabulation of data, graphical representation and the clarity with which the study has been documented and explained. A Log Book (actually a daily diary) is mandatory and should be authenticated with the signature of the guide on a regular basis. The cover page of the Report and Log Book should carry the title of the project, names of the child scientists, the district and the state, in English/Hindi. Oral presentation would be evaluated on the basis of the interaction with the evaluators, presentation of charts/posters, log book and any other supporting material.
• Follow up Action Plan (Only for State level): The child scientists should try to find out scientific solution to the identified problem. Has the group conveyed the message to the community? How was it 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.

National level Screening

• Project evaluation would be for 15 minutes per project - including 8 minutes for Oral Presentation, evaluation of the written report and the posters followed by interaction with the team leader
• The parameters and attributes for evaluation at national level are given below.

SI. No.	Criteria	Max. Points
A	Oral Presentation
1	Originality of idea and concept	05
2	Relevance of the project to the theme	05
3	Understanding of the issue	05
4	Data collection & analysis	10
5	Experimentation/validation	10
6	Interpretation and Problem solving attempt	5
7	Oral Presentation	10
	Sub Total - A	50
B	Written Report
1	Data Collection /Analysis, Graphical Representation etc	15
2	Methodology-Experiment/Survey design	15
3	Discussion and Conclusion	10
	Sub Total - B	40
C	Poster Presentation
1	Lay out	5
1	Logical Framework	5
	Sub Total - C	10
	Grand Total (A + B + C )	100

Thus each project would have total points of 100, out of which 50% would be for Oral presentation, 40% for Written Report and 10% for Poster presentation.

Evaluation Criterion for the projects under PWD Category (Subject to change)

For the sake of evaluation, the projects will be categorised as & weightage will be given accordingly

• Category-A: Children doing projects - PWD (Divyangjan)
• Category-B: Heterogeneous group (normal plus CWDs)
• Category-C: Homogeneous CWDs
• Distribution of Weightage in % over Total Marks that will be scored by the child):

Category	District & State levels	National
A	5%	0
B	10%	5%
C	20%	10%

Note: The parameters for selection will remain same.

For the projects selected for National Level it is MANDATORY to satisfy the following criteria:

• The cover page of the project should be either in English or Hindi giving all details like Project title, Sub theme, Language used, School/District/ State name, details of all the group members, Guide etc. The Project Code (State Code+Serial Number of Project assigned) should be given at the Right Hand Top Side of the First Page (Example: HP01 - Himachal Pradesh Sl. No. 01)
• Each project to have an Abstract in English also. (See Annexure II)
• Four numbers of Posters as already explained.
• Written report along with properly maintained Log book.

These instructions are to be followed strictly; else the project would not be evaluated at national level.