APEGA Innovation in Education Awards Evaluation Rubric

A proposed initiative that does not meet the following criteria will be disqualified: 

  • has a strong engineering and/or geoscience focus
  • will help students gain an in-depth, conceptual understanding of the content
  • will expose students to relevant and realistic engineering and/or geoscience applications
  • will be student-led and hands-on
  • will engage every student in at least one Grade K to 12 class
  • will be worked on for the duration of at least one semester, or course, during the school year
  • will create a deliverable that engages or impacts a larger community outside of the school
  • application is accompanied by a letter of school support

Part 1: Initiative Information (51 Points)

Initiative Overview

Exemplary (3 Points)

The provided initiative description is detailed and clear

Good (2 Points)

The provided initiative description is clear but lacks some detail

Adequate (1 point)

The provided initiative description lacks considerable detail

Incomplete (0 points)

The provided initiative description is incomplete or unclear.

Problem Definition

Exemplary (3 Points)

Through this initiative, students will be focused on solving a problem that our world is facing. This problem is clearly and concisely defined.

Incomplete (0 points)

Definition of the problem that students will be solving through this initiative is incomplete or unclear.

Initiative Relevance

Exemplary (3 Points)

The initiative’s focus is relevant, important, and authentic to the students

Good (2 Points)

A large part of the initiative addresses a topic that is relevant, important, and authentic to the students

Adequate (1 point)

A small part of the initiative addresses a topic that is relevant, important, and authentic to the students

Incomplete (0 points)

The initiative does not address a topic that is relevant, important, or authentic to the students

Engineering/Geoscience Components

Exemplary (3 Points)

The initiative has a strong focus on engineering and/or geoscience applications

Incomplete (0 points)

The initiative’s connection to engineering or geoscience is absent or unclear

Application Disqualified

Community Involvement

Exemplary (3 Points)

The initiative will have a significant, positive effect on a group external to the school

Good (2 Points)

The initiative will have a moderate, positive effect on a group external to the school

Adequate (1 Point)

The initiative will have a small, positive effect on a group external to the school

Incomplete (0 Points)

The initiative will not reach or impact a group external to the school

Application Disqualified

Initiative Goals

Exemplary (3 Points)

All goals are clearly defined and realistic

Adequate to Good (1.5 Points)

Some goals are either unclear or unrealistic

Incomplete (0 Points)

The goals listed are not clearly defined or realistic

Student Engagement

Exemplary (3 Points)

The initiative is highly engaging for students, and hands-on

Good (2 Points)

The initiative is moderately engaging for students and hands-on

Adequate (1 Point)

The initiative is somewhat engaging for students and hands-on

Incomplete (0 Points)

The initiative is not engaging for students or is not hands-on

Student Skill Development

Exemplary (3 Points)

Skill development is emphasized through all steps of the initiative

Good (2 Points)

Skill development is emphasized through most steps of the initiative

Adequate (1 Point)

Skill development is emphasized through some steps of the initiative

Incomplete (0 Points)

Skill development is not prioritized in the initiative

Learning Outcomes

Exemplary (3 Points)

Learning outcomes are provided and the initiative is directly related to students’ grade-level curriculum

Incomplete (0 Points)

Learning outcomes are either not provided, or do not align with proposed initiative

Budget

Exemplary (3 Points)

The budget is detailed, realistic, and encompasses all foreseeable costs needed for the initiative’s success

Good (2 Points)

The budget is detailed, realistic, and encompasses most foreseeable costs needed for the initiative’s success

Adequate (1 Point)

The budget is realistic and encompasses some foreseeable costs needed for the initiative’s success.

Incomplete (0 Points)

The budget is incomplete and lacking detail

Exemplary (3 Points)

Each expense has a valid purpose, and the associated costs are realistic

Incomplete (0 Points)

Expenses are extraneous and are not required for project completion, or are unrealistic

Timeline

Exemplary (3 Points)

Short- and long-term activities and associated tasks are set and are specific, detailed, and realistic

Specific and realistic deadlines are listed for each activity and task

The completion of listed tasks will result in the initiative’s success

Good (2 Points)

A list of short- and long-term activities and associated tasks and deadlines for each were provided, but they only meet two of the following criteria:
  • specific
  • realistic
  • detailed

Adequate (1 Point)

A list of short- and long-term activities and associated tasks and deadlines for each were provided, but they only meet one of the following criteria:
  • specific
  • realistic
  • detailed

Incomplete (0 Points)

Timeline is incomplete and lacks considerable detail.

Student Voice and Choice

Exemplary (3 Points)

Student voice and choice are incorporated and prioritized in initiative planning

Good (2 Points)

Student voice and choice are incorporated and prioritized in most aspects of initiative planning

Adequate (1 Point)

Student voice and choice are incorporated in only some aspects of initiative planning

Incomplete (0 Points)

Student voice and choice are not prioritized in initiative planning

Risk Assessment

Exemplary (3 Points)

All major risks that could impact or derail the project are listed

Adequate to Good (1.5 Points)

Most major risks that could impact or derail the project are listed

Incomplete (0 Points)

Applicant has not considered the potential risks or has stated that there are no risks

Exemplary (3 Points)

Thorough plans to react to or avoid each risk are considered in detail

Adequate to Good (1.5 Points)

Basic plans to address or avoid each risk are considered

Incomplete (0 Points)

Plans to address risks are absent or lacking

Measures of Success

Exemplary (3 Points)

Specific and realistic measures of success are provided, along with reasoning behind the measures

Good (2 Points)

Specific and realistic measures of success are provided

Adequate (1 Point)

Measures of success are provided, but some are unrealistic or unspecific

Incomplete (0 Points)

Measures of success are not provided

Exemplary (3 Points)

Both quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (stories, feedback, etc.) measures are identified

Adequate to Good (1.5 Points)

Only quantitative (numbers) OR qualitative (stories, feedback, etc.) measures are identified

Incomplete (0 Points)

Measures of success are not defined or are inadequate

Part 2: Letter of School Support (6 Points)

Level of Support

Exemplary (3 Points)

The school or school board is in full support of the applicant’s proposed initiative and will provide substantial assistance to the applicant to ensure initiative success

Good (2 Points)

The school or school board is in support of the applicant’s proposed initiative and will provide some assistance to the applicant

Adequate (1 Point)

The school or school board is in support of the applicant’s proposed initiative but is unlikely to provide assistance to the applicant

Incomplete (0 Points)

The school or school board is not in support of the applicant’s proposed initiative

Application Disqualified

Exemplary (3 Points)

The initiative is directly tied to the school’s or school board’s goals

Adequate to Good (1.5 Points)

The initiative is indirectly tied to the school’s or school board’s goals

Incomplete (0 Points)

There is no mention of the relation between the initiative and the school’s or school board’s goals

Application Disqualified

Total possible score:

/57