1. Children’s Science Congress DR LALIT SHARMA MEMBER NATIONAL ACADEMIC CORE COMMITTEE (CSC 2014, 2015)

2. What is CSC?
A program of NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India Team of 2 to 5 children From age group of 10 to 17 years Guided by teachers, any expert Undertake project work using methods of science On a local problem under a focal and sub-theme Project evaluated for innovativeness, simplicity and practicality

3. CSC project Innovative, simple, practical and inexpensive
Outcome of a team work
Based on exploration of everyday life situations
Survey/observation/experimentation/combination of all
Analysis based on scientific methodology with definite output
Attempt to take on a problem related to society, locally
Definite follow-up plans

4. Children’s Science Congress Common Evaluation Criteria

5. Originality of the idea (10 / 5)
This covers originality (uniqueness / novelty) of the idea that attempts to answer specific question related to focal theme

6. Relevance of the project (10 / 5)
How relevant the project is to focal theme and sub-theme

7. Understanding of the issue (15 / 15)
Refers to extent of knowledge in relation to the project idea

8. Data collection and analysis (15 / 15)
Systematic data collection using relevant tools (interviews / questionnaire) Sufficient sample size Analysis includes tabulation, categorization, application of simple statistics

9. Experimentation / validation (10 / 10)
Conducting of experiments / field study and validating by methods of science Experiment should be simple, self-developed, inexpensive

10. Interpretation and problem solving attempt (10 / 15)
Extent to which proposed hypothesis and local issue have been addressed through the project

11. Team work (10 / 5)
Work division, cooperation, sharing among and beyond team members

12. Background correction (10 /-)
Weightage given to those from difficult geographical situation, have poor infrastructure and limited facilities

13. Oral presentation / written report (10 / 10)
Evaluated separately Proper presentation, interaction, use of aids Proper documentation, orderly, neatly

14. Follow up and action plan (- /10)
Has the message been conveyed to community? How it has been communicated? Is it going to be continued involving more people? Any action plan suggested?

15. Improvement over previous level (- / 10)
To encourage for continuous involvement

16. At National Level Parameters Attributes ORAL PRESENTATION
Originality of idea and concept 05
Relevance of the project to the theme
Understanding of the issue
Data collection and analysis 10
Experimentation / validation
Interpretation and problem solving attempt
Presentation

17. At National Level Parameters Attributes WRITTEN REPORT
Data collection / analysis, representation 15
Methodology / experimental design
Discussion / conclusion 10
POSTER
Layout 05
Logical framework

18. Project Work: A local problem / issue identified
Work carried out in a well-marked local or geographical area
Observations recorded in a log book
Project could either be survey / observation / experimentation / combination
Data collected are subjected to analysis
Conclusions are drawn after proper analysis of data
Inferences are made
Solutions to the problem are suggested
Action plan for follow up devised
Use of living objects, harmful and inflammable substances is restricted
Documented as a report and presented orally at district, state and national levels

19. Written Report :
Report to be handwritten in any scheduled language on A-4 size (21 cm x 31 cm or 8.3” x 11.8”) plain paper Word limit is 2500 (lower group) and 3500 (upper group)

20. Elements of written report :
Cover page, Abstract, Form-A, Index, Introduction, Aims and Objectives, Hypothesis, Work plan, Methodology, Observations, Results, Data analysis, Conclusion, Inference, Solution, Future plan, Acknowledgements, References and Appendix Log book is a must, reflects team work, to be submitted along with report

21. COVER PAGE 22nd Children’s Science Congress
(CSC-2014)
Focal Theme:
Understanding Weather and Climate
Title of the Project
(Should be informative, specific, concise and self-explanatory)
Names and addresses of Team Leader
Other Members
Guide Teacher
District
State
(To be written in English or Hindi ONLY)

22. (Abstract in English is mandatory)
One of the most important elements of a scientific report
Word limit is 250 words (one A-4 size page)
Summary of the report / work done including
question investigated
the methods used
the principal results and
conclusions
Wording should be clear and precise
(Abstract in English is mandatory)

23. REGISTRATION FORM - A
District __________ State __________ Particulars of the Team Leader: Name Date of Birth Std/Class Sex Rural/Urban Residential address School address Title of the project: Sub-theme: Language used: Particulars of other team members: Name Residential address Sex Std/Class Date of Birth Name and address of the Guide: Name and signature of the Head of the Institution/ District Coordinator

24. INDEX Contents page to have separate sections for
subject matter (all the components of the report)
figures (include titles given to chart (pie-chart), or graph, or photograph, or illustration or map) and
tables (include titles or headings of your observation, result or data analysis tables )

25. INDEX S. No. Topic Page No. 01 Introduction 01
Aims and objectives
list of figures –
S. No Title Page No.
Graph showing variation in temperatures
Pie-chart showing distribution of land forms
Photograph showing collection of fossils
list of tables –
Temperatures recorded during one month period
Varieties of butterfly species observed
Electric power consumption in homes

26. INTRODUCTION At the top Title of the Project should be mentioned
Title should be informative, specific, concise, understandable and self-explanatory
The introduction should have
Relevant background information
Need statement focusing on the overall issue, problem, or core / research question
One or two but not more than three paragraphs

27. AIMS & OBJECTIVES Should define very specifically
Why this project has been selected?
How this problem / issue would be addressed?
Keeping in mind that there is
Limited time period and
Limited localized geographical area
Avoid repeating introduction

28. HYPOTHESIS
In one or two statements, hypothesis should give an idea, based on known facts that has not yet been proven, about the problem selected

29. WORK PLAN
Define work plan, in schematic form or as a flow chart, preferably with time schedules It might get deviated from schedule due to unforeseen circumstances, but having such a guideline always help

30. METHODOLOGY
After work plan, decide upon method of research in proposed work; survey/observation/ experimentation Survey Involves using questionnaire for data collection Questions should be specific and in logical order On an average 20 relevant questions should be asked Sample size of 50 – 100 people should be included in the study Include a copy of questionnaire

31. METHODOLOGY
Observations Though a part of survey work, may or may not have questionnaire Recording of observations during field studies are included in this type of methodology

32. METHODOLOGY
Experimentation Done with own hands, either in the laboratory or at home or in the field Design of the experiment with proper controls, number of readings, set of conditions, parameters, mathematical formula to be included Detail experimental procedure, analytical techniques also to be included

33. OBSERVATIONS
This part contains all the observations or data collected related to survey, observation, and / or experimentation, ONLY

34. RESULTS
Results are the presentation of data collected during survey, observation and / or experimentation Presentation could either be in the form of charts, graphs, maps, figures or tables etc Should be simple to understand Results only describe and not interpret findings

35. DATA ANALYSIS
Data presented under the results are analyzed, using principles of mathematics Here only analysis part is shown

36. CONCLUSION
After project completion, final opinion is derived, based on the data analysis, is what forms the conclusion

37. INFERENCE
Inference, in fact, is the truthfulness of the opinion formed based on the outcome of the project Check-point for hypothesis– accepted / rejected

38. SOLUTION
Since the problem selected is socially relevant, this part will highlight how the findings influence or have an impact on the society at large

39. FUTURE PLANS
For taking the work further, from where it has been concluded, future plans provide stepwise guidelines It shows that the problem undertaken is open-ended It ascertains continuity of efforts, gives sense of commitment

40. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
An expression of gratefulness or thankfulness for the help received from different quarters; family and friends, any motivator, elders / seniors / peers, experts or resource persons, even a librarian, farm workers, people interviewed, laboratory assistants, photographer, anyone for that matter A true reflection of team work

41. REFERENCES
All the resource material like books, newspaper articles / clippings, or internet, or even personal interview are to be mentioned References, under each section, are given in alphabetical order

42. REFERENCES
For books - Name of the author(s)/editor(s) starting with surname Title of the book (underlined) Edition (if available) Page numbers referred Publisher Place and Year of publication

43. REFERENCES For articles - Name of the author(s) starting with surname
Year of publication (within brackets)
Title of the article (in italics)
Title of the book / magazine / newspaper (underlined)
Edition (for books, if available)
Issue and volume numbers (for magazines)
Page numbers referred
Publisher
Place and
Year of publication
Or internet source starting with referred

44. REFERENCES
For personal interviews - Name of the person(s) interviewed Date with month and year and Place of the interview

45. APPENDIX
All the letters, certificates issued by the concerned authorities and / or survey sheets (filled up questionnaire) are to be attached at the end of the report Each such document should bear a number, viz., appendix 1, appendix 2, and so on

46. LOG BOOK
This is one of the most important but neglected written documents It is the mirror reflecting activity Provides all the answers related to the project Covers minute to minute recordings, mentioned on daily basis, successes and failures, contacts and impressions

47. Oral Presentation:
Time limit is 8 minutes followed by interaction for 2 minutes
Maximum of four charts or posters (55 cm x 70 cm) / LCD projector can be used
Loud enough with clear diction

48. EXPECTATIONS FROM EVALUATORS
CHILD SCIENTISTS ARE FROM YEARS AGE GROUP, WHO NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT
UNDERSTAND THEIR CAPABILITIES & CAPACITIES AND PROVIDE CONSTRUCTIVE INPUTS & POSITIVE FEEDBACK
APPRECIATE & VALUE EFFORTS, INNOVATIVENESS & CONFIDENCE
THEY SHOULD RETURN MOTIVATED & INTELLECTUALLY RICH
EVALUATE SUBJECT MATTER, SCIENTIFIC CONTENT & NOT GADGETS, MODELS OR ORATORY SKILL
AVOID UNWARRANTED COMMENTS, COMPARISON WITH SENIORS, DISTRACTION DURING PRESENTATION
INTERACT, BUT DO NOT TEST WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW RATHER HELP IN BRINGING OUT WHAT THEY KNOW

49. Than’Q drlalitsharma9@gmail.com 93 222 64 173