APEGA Innovation in Education Awards Evaluation Rubric
A proposed initiative that does not meet the following criteria will be disqualified:
The initiative:
- 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 have active student engagement during school hours with at least one class
- will be worked on for the duration of at least one semester/course during the school year
- application is accompanied by a letter of school suppor
Part 1: Initiative Information (54 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 (I.e., students will be thoroughly engaged in the initiative and the initiative relates to classroom learning)
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 - Impact and Longevity
Exemplary (3 Points)
The initiative will have a persistent significant, positive effect on the school community
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
Community Involvement - Reach
Exemplary (3 Points)
The initiative reaches beyond the school community and makes an impact on the larger community
Good (2 Points)
The entire school community is involved in this initiative
Adequate (1 Point)
Multiple classrooms in the school community are involved in this initiative
Incomplete (0 Points)
The initiative will not reach anyone beyond a singular classroom
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)
- specific
- realistic
- detailed
Adequate (1 Point)
- 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 rubric score:
/60
Exceeds Expectations
Below are additional categories that will be considered when reviewing your application. Any scoring awarded from this section indicates that the applicant has exceeded expectations in that specific category.
Community Involvement - Impact and Longevity
Bonus (2 Points)
The initiative will have a persistent significant, positive effect on the larger community (beyond the school community)
Risk Assessment
Bonus (2 Points)
Materials are sourced locally or from vendors with confirmed inventory. The sourcing of material through shorter supply chain routes de-risks the project.
Engineering/Geoscience Components
Bonus (2 Points)
The initiative showcases unconventional or surprising applications of engineering and/or geoscience
Additional points:
/6