Junior Division Rubric 2025-2026 season
1 – Not there/missing
2 – Getting there (below expectations)
3 – Average (meets basic expectations)
4 – Good
5 – Amazing
Problem/project description
Compelling project description that clearly states the problem and solution (max 100 words)
Explains how the team considered ethics in developing their app. Addresses one or more of the following aspects: data privacy, accessibility, energy consumption, impact on earth, bias and harm to particular groups (max 150 words)
Total project description score
Pitch Video
Clearly states the problem and shows why the problem is important to the team and the community and which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are addressed
Explains some of the research the team did to understand the problem
Shows the viewer 1-2 key features of their solution and convinces the viewer that the app solves the problem
Explains how the selected technology is the best solution compared to what already exists
Talks about or includes video footage of one or more target users providing feedback to the team on their solution
Total pitch video score
Technical Video
Gives a demonstration of the working parts of the app they have built
Explains who the end users are and shows how the app was tested with them
Did you use AI to help with your coding and/or AI model building? – YES/NO
YES
Technical development (GenAI-assisted apps)
Explains the generative AI process used in either coding or building an AI model for the project, including tools and prompts
NO
Coding (traditional apps)
Explains what machine learning training and/or actual coding they did for 1-2 important parts of their app (not login screen)
Describes the team’s iterative development process through user feedback, testing, and (if applicable) AI prompt modification.
Total technical video score
User Adoption Plan (Doc upload from template)
Shows how many users have already tested the app, and the feedback provided
Explains how the team will get new users to use their app in its first year
Total user adoption score
Your Learning Journey
Shares what the team learned through a combination of words and pictures (e.g. screenshots, prototypes) including how the team overcame technical or non-technical challenges (max 100 words and 2-6 images)
Explains how the team decided what information they gathered was legitimate (max 100 words)
Shares a bibliography of resources used and/or remixed as part of the project, including the use of generative AI tools (if applicable) (unlimited)
Total learning journey score
Total Score
Project Description total score
Pitch Video total score
Technical Video total score
User Adoption Plan total score
Learning Journey total score
Total score