Judging Criteria Used in the South Central Region
Oral Paper Presentation Criteria (0-4 points for each criterion) - 15 minutes allotted (including questions). Click here to download a scoring rubric for this award.
  1. Hypothesis/objectives clearly stated
  2. Study introduced in proper context with published research
  3. Aesthetic quality of the presentation
  4. Quality of oral expression
  5. Methods adequate to answer the research question & proper controls
  6. Enough data collected & presented in an easily understandable/readable manner
  7. Appropriate data analysis
  8. Ability to answer questions
  9. Time management
Click here for more information on the Frank G. Brooks Award for Excellence in Student Research


Poster Presentation Criteria.  Click here to download a scoring rubric for this award.
  1. 25% of total (0-5): Evidence of knowledge of the project. Are there data? Is the methodology adequate? Were controls or normal baselines needed and used? Is there a conclusion? Is it warranted by the data?
  2. 30% of total (0-6): Organization of the presentation.  Is the report placed in context? Are the methods clear? Are the data understandable?
  3. 25% of total (0-5): Clarity of the visual material. Are tables, graphs, etc., used if needed? Is the conclusion or summary clearly given? 
  4. 10% of total (0-2): Degree of originality of the project. Does the work show ingenuity on the part of the student or is it the continuation of research initiated by a graduate leader? Are all materials provided through a large laboratory or must the student collect them him/herself from sources he/she discovers?
  5. 10% of total (0-2): Discretion of the judges.  Includes recognition of unusual quality or for any other factor which seems appropriate to the judges.
Click here for more information on the John C. Johnson Award for best poster presentation.

Chapter History (Scrapbook) Criteria (0-2 points per criterion) - submit by Friday @ 11:59pm.
Click here to download a scoring rubric for this award.
  1. Chapter's Greek & university name included
  2. Tri-Beta region and district included
  3. City and state in which the chapter is located
  4. List of current and charter members
  5. Table of contents and page numbers included
  6. Each event adequately labeled and identified
  7. Page layouts imaginative and artistic
  8. Most significant chapter activities allocated the most space
  9. Evidence of media coverage for chapter activities
  10. Quality of photography
  11. Aesthetic quality of the book (neat and attractive)
  12. Durability of the book
  13. Pages easily accessible
  14. Contents supporting that the chapter "disseminates biological knowledge"
  15. Contents supporting that the chapter "promotes undergraduate research"
  16. Contents supporting that the chapter "encourages scholarship in the biological sciences"
Click here for more information on the Chapter History Award
Criteria for the Outstanding Chapter Award in District I (OK, AR, LA)
Categories (number of points)  (click here for fillable form)
  • Each undergraduate paper (poster) presented at a scientific meeting other than Beta Beta Beta (10)
  • Undergraduate papers published in BIOS within this academic year (50)
  • Undergraduate papers published other refereed journals within this academic year (50)
  • Organizing host of the regional convention (50)
    Co-hosting the convention. (25)
  • Annual Chapter Report – Chronological list of meetings and activities for the academic year (50)
  • Each Tri-Beta member registered and attending this regional convention (5)
  • Each undergraduate paper (or poster) presented at the regional convention (10)
  • Chapter enters a scrapbook into competition at the regional convention (10)
  • Chapter awarded 3rd place for scrapbook (20)
  • Chapter awarded 2nd place for scrapbook (30)
  • Chapter awarded 1st place for scrapbook (50)
  • Brook’s (paper) or Johnson’s (poster) Award – 1st Place (50)
  • Brook’s (paper) or Johnson’s (poster) Award – 2nd Place (30)
  • Brook’s (paper) or Johnson’s (poster) Award – 3rd Place (20)
Criteria for the Outstanding Chapter Award in District II (TX)
Categories (number of points)
  • Organizing host of the regional convention (50)
  • Co-hosting the convention. (25)
  • Each Tri-Beta member registered and attending this regional convention (students only) (2.5)
  • Each undergraduate presenting at the regional convention (10)
  • Each graduate student presenting at the regional convention (must be TriBeta member) (5)
  • Brook’s (paper) or Johnson’s (poster) Award – 3rd Place (50)
  • Brook’s (paper) or Johnson’s (poster) Award – 2nd Place (75)
  • Brook’s (paper) or Johnson’s (poster) Award – 1st Place (100)
  • Graduate member awarded 1st place for paper (or poster) at regional convention (50)
  • Chapter enters a scrapbook into competition at the regional convention (10)
  • Chapter awarded 3rd place for scrapbook (15)
    Chapter awarded 2nd place for scrapbook (30)
  • Chapter awarded 1st place for scrapbook (50)
  • Each regional officer performing his/her duties at the regional convention business meeting (10)