Grades 3-5 Science Fair Judging Rubric
Science Project #:
Note to Judge: A score of 1 represents on or below grade level, incomplete, or inaccurate work.
A score of 2 in a scoring category represents on grade level, complete, and accurate work.
A score of 3 in a scoring category represents above grade level, complete, accurate, and superior work (3 is rare).
No
Evidence
Evident but
Incomplete
Or
Inaccurate
Evident,
Complete
&
Accurate
Superior
Example
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
6. Evidence of a thorough experiment with proper controls.
0
1
2
3
7. Experiment was repeated (minimum of 2 trials)
0
1
2
3
8. Appropriate observations recorded in a log book during
the experiment for all trials
0
1
2
3
9. Age-appropriate tools/equipment used to collect data
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
Question & Hypothesis
1. Presented a testable question or problem statement
that could be answered or solved with an experiment
2. Proposed a hypothesis that gives a testable answer to
the question or solution to the problem
Variables & Research
3. Correctly identified one independent/manipulated
variable and one dependent/responding variable
4. Evidence of grade-level appropriate background
research
Procedures
5. Procedures are described in sufficient detail to allow
replication by another person
Data & Conclusion
10. Data presented is relevant to the question
11. Data displayed in an age-appropriate table (descriptive)
or graph (numerical) with correct, appropriate labels
12. Data used to answer the question or to evaluate the
hypothesis
13. Conclusion was supported with experimental evidence
(No penalty for inconclusive data)
Overall Project
14. The project is presented in a manner that makes the
purpose, procedure, and results clear
15. Included age-appropriate visual components to provide
a detailed description of the project
16. Student displayed creativity in the question, approach,
technique, and/or the explanation
Note to Judge: Total score will exceed 32 if any 3’s are given.
Total Score:
___________ /32