CRITERIA FOR JUDGING THE NFOT ON-THE-SPOT

On-the-S.P.O.T. science competition is an event for the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) where
a team of Junior and Senior High School learners are given the opportunity to apply science and
mathematical thinking skills to solve problems that have national or global impact.

In the On-the-S.P.O.T. science competition, participants are the first-place winners in the
secondary school competition. The composition of the participants for On-the-S.P.O.T. science
competition are two (2) learners in the Junior or Senior High School.

On-the-S.P.O.T. Science Competition. The event allows learners in Junior and Senior High School
to apply science and mathematics thinking and skills to solve problems that have national or global impact.
The competition requires the contestants to become problem-solvers, addressing challenging social,
scientific and societal issues through creativity, critical-thinking and other 21st century skills.

Contest Mechanics
Part I - One-Minute Presentation
1) The first part of the contest is the One-Minute Oral Presentation of the project proposal where
the teams shall develop and present their proposal to the panel of judges of their solution about
a real-world problem/scenario of local or global importance.
2) The situation containing the problem shall be given on-site on the day of competition. Other
pertinent data shall also be presented as part of the scenario. The contestants are given two (2)
hours to conceptualize and prepare their slides for presentation. The contestants may use the
internet and other printed resources in developing their presentation, however, the teams are
not allowed to confer with their coach while the contest is on-going. Any form of communication
between the contestants and other parties (coach, parents, classmates, teachers, etc.) shall
warrant automatic disqualification.
3) The presentations may consist of the following:
a. What challenge is your proposed solution/innovation designed to solve?
b. Detail key features of your proposed solution/innovation
c. How is your innovation or your proposed solution similar or different from existing activities,
technologies and solutions and how it would build up to the existing technology/solutions?

4.) During the presentation, one team shall be given one minute to present. The time shall start as
the contestants start to speak. After the presentation, the judges may ask questions to clarify
details on their proposal.

5.) Draw lots shall be done to determine the order of presentation. While one team is presenting, all
the other teams shall be at the holding room.

6.) The top eight teams shall move to the final round. The finalists shall not be allowed to leave the
contest venue during the break. They can take their meals and snacks in the contest venue.

Part II - Developing the Full Proposal

1. The full proposal is a detailed written description of participants’ proposed solution/ innovation. Just
in the first part, the teams are allowed to use internet and other print resources. They shall develop
and print their proposals within 4 Hours. The scores in the preliminary round shall have no bearing in
the final round.
 The Full Proposal shall have the following components:
a. Title
b. Summary (200-300 words)
c. Background and Problem
 Describe the challenges and how the proposed solution addresses the problem presented.
 Scientific Principles and Technology applicable to the resolution of the problem.
 Beneficiaries
d. Proposed Solution to the Problem Presented
 Methods/Details of the proposed solution including the Cost -Analysis
 Include illustrations, figures and charts.
e. References
 May use any format as long as consistency is observed.

2. The teams shall encode their proposals in word processing software, double spaced using Bookman
Old style font size twelve set in A4 size paper. Margins shall be 1 inch in all sides of the paper. Within
the 3 hours, the teams shall submit their printed proposals (three copies) to the panel of judges.

3. The proposals shall be subjected to a plagiarism check.

4. There shall be oral presentations limited to 3 minutes for each team. Questions may be asked by the
judges after each presentation. The order of presentation shall follow the order in the first part.

A set of criteria will be utilized for scoring the presentation and report.

Criteria (Part I) Percentage

Discussion/Arguments (based on scientific,
30 %
technological and other valid assumptions)
CRITERIA FOR
Relevance of data used 20 %
ASSESSMENT
Feasibility of the proposed solution 20 %
Clarity of presentation (ability to effectively
PART I 20 %
communicate solutions)
Evidence of effective collaboration 10%
TOTAL 100 %

Part II Percentage
Organization/Discussion/Arguments (based on
scientific, technological and other valid 30 %
assumptions)
CRITERIA FOR
Relevance of data used 20 %
ASSESSMENT
Feasibility of the proposed solution 20 %
Clarity of Presentation
PART II
 Written 15 %
 Oral 10 %
Evidence of effective collaboration 5%
TOTAL 100 %