Upon submitting your application form, a series of judges will read your application to determine whether you are one of the top two students from your state. The judges use two main criteria in their evaluation: Scientific Merit and Creativity (which accounts for 50% of your total score) and Project Execution (which accounts for the other 50%). A breakdown of what these titles entail is listed below:

1. Scientific Merit and Creativity (50%)

> Relevance to biotechnology (15%)
> Originality and creativity (20%)
> Level of Science (15%)

2. Project Execution (50%)

> Design (15%)
> Skill levels demonstrated (10%)
> Results: data collection and analysis (15%)
> Validity of conclusion (10%)

If you have been selected from your state to participate at the regional competition, you will be further required to give an oral presentation, and present a poster board. On Scholar Holler, there is a lot of helpful information with regards to making good poster boards, and the guidelines for the BioGENEius challenge board are provided on their website.

The judging criteria therefore changes on the regional (and international) level. There are four main categories which the judges use in their selection of projects: Scientific Merit and Creativity (20% of overall score), Project Execution (35%), Project Display (15%), and Oral Presentation (30%). As can be seen, about 50% of your total score is based upon the poster display and oral presentation, two components which were not required in your initial application form. A further breakdown of these categories is listed below:

1. Scientific Merit and Creativity (20%)

> Relevance to biotechnology (5%)
> Originality and creativity (10%)
> Level of Science (5%)

2. Project Execution (35%)

> Design (10%)
> Skill levels demonstrated (5%)
> Results: data collection and analysis (10%)
> Validity of conclusion (10%)

3. Project Display (15%)

> Project summary (5%)
> Clarity and layout (5%)
> Interest levels (5%)

4. Oral Presentation(30%)

> Demonstration of scientific knowledge (10%)
> Command of techniques and skills (10%)
> Ability to explain and defend conclusions (10%)