What Judges Look For

What the Judges are Looking For

1. Local Environmental Issue or Problem

The problem or issue should be one that negatively affects the local area and/or community, or a situation or behavior that, if addressed, would enhance the environment.
The problems or issue should be something that can also be found in other communities or locations.
The issue or problem can be resolved by either physical changes, changing social behavior in the community or both.

2. Community Engagement

The school community is made aware of the problem or issue and the solution.
School community members are involved in making the solution happen.
School community members outside the classroom take on specific tasks in making the solution happen.
The solution expands beyond the classroom members and becomes an adopted behavior within the entire school community.
The expansion of the solution came about with significant initiative on the part of the students (3-5 grades - not required for k-2).

3. Scientific Approach

The background on the issue or problem is well researched, including what has been learned and done before.
Background evidence is cited that supports the solution being proposed.
A plan is clearly explained in which the teacher and students:
- Detail the resources needed to solve the problem or address the issue
- Clearly define and sequences the logical steps in the process
- Indicate the collection of quantitative as well as qualitative data (including social interactions that are part of the solution)
A report is provided by the teacher (with student help) that includes:
- What happened as a result of the proposed solution
- The data that was collected
- An analysis in which the data is used to support a conclusion

4. A recommendation explaining how to replicate and/or expand the project for other groups

Siemens We Can Change The World Challenge