For each World Solutions Challenge, teams of 2-4 students analyze a specific current problem and have 4 weeks to develop their action plans. Students also submit a supplemental item to demonstrate their action plan. Teams may choose to submit a promotional video or podcast under three minutes long, or up to four pages of diagrams or graphics.
Scoring breakdown
Our World Solutions Challenge’s rubric-based evaluations provide learner-focused feedback and scores for student work in six areas (80 points). They also note if three required elements are present (20 points). Below is a breakdown of how many points are tied to each scoresheet criteria.
| Criteria | Points | Percentages |
| Action plan present | 5 | 5% |
| Underlying problem present | 10 | 10% |
| Supplement present | 5 | 5% |
| Connection to underlying problem | 10 | 10% |
| Connection to topic | 10 | 10% |
| Impact | 20 | 20% |
| Humaneness and responsible action | 10 | 10% |
| Creative strength | 10 | 10% |
| Completeness | 20 | 20% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Rubric evaluation
We take extra care to provide specific, detailed feedback in each evaluation so that students can use their feedback to develop and improve their skills. All registered teams receive feedback on their action plans to give students tools for continuous growth. While authentic assessment of student learning always comes first, we also depend on our uniform evaluation guidelines to provide a fair, consistent, and reliable method for competition scoring. All judges must be trained before evaluating student work.
Levels of proficiency
Judges use four levels of proficiency to score action plans on each of the six criteria. They also note if required items are present (yes or no).
| Developing | The work is missing significant elements of the entry or may be off topic. |
| Proficient | Entry addresses challenge requirements and demonstrate basic understanding of foundational skills and concepts. |
| Outstanding | Entry consistently applies knowledge and skills successfully with fully developed and detailed ideas. |
| Exemplary | Entry shows mastery of the skills appropriate to the age group, applies knowledge in unique and complex ways, and clearly and thoughtfully elaborates student ideas. |
Scoresheet criteria
Performance-based evaluations assess action plan entries for connection to underlying problem, connection to topic, impact, humaneness and responsible action, creativity, and completeness. Judges examine the submitted Step 6 action plan and the additional supplement when scoring for these elements.
Connection to underlying problem
Judges measure the degree to which the action plan achieves the objectives identified in the underlying problem. An exemplary action plan directly responds to the chosen problem, shows a clear connection between activities and underlying problem, and includes clear explanations on how the plan solves the problem.
Connection to topic
Judges measure the degree to which the action plan relates to the challenge topic. An exemplary action plan directly responds to one of the topic situation’s focus areas, demonstrates topic knowledge (including use of vocabulary terms), and remains focused on the topic throughout the entry.
Impact
Judges measure the meaningful and sustainable changes that could result from the action plan when assessing impact. An exemplary action plan shows a positive impact on stakeholders, an extensive effect, and that the situation will benefit from the plan’s implementation.
Humaneness and responsible action
Judges measure whether the students created an action plan that benefits humanity, promotes well-being, and is guided by ethical principles when assessing humaneness. An exemplary action plan contributes to social progress, increases quality of life, has positive and productive potential, and considers how to address risks and minimize possible harm.
Creative strength
Judges measure whether students integrate originality, novelty, ingenuity, uniqueness, and problem solving in their action plan. An exemplary action plan is innovative and combines ideas and unique ways to create results, incorporates imaginative and insightful ideas, and demonstrates strong creative thinking skills.
Completeness
Judges measure whether students have completely explained their action plan when assessing for development. An exemplary action plan fully elaborates and is supported with rich, engaging details. It provides an effective framework for implementing the plan, including a thorough scope of activities to address the underlying problem.
Required elements
In addition to the six scoring criteria, there are three required elements that judges score for. Students must submit an action plan that contains the team’s underlying problem and a supplement to earn these points, constituting 20% of the total entry score.
Action plan
Judges note whether students included an action plan in their entry or not.
Underlying problem
Judges note whether students included an underlying problem or not. Students should write their underlying problem in their action plan (directly in FPSOnline) and describe how their solution idea solves the problem they chose to consider. Good underlying problems are clear to understand and identify the specific goal that the team wants to achieve.
Supplement
Judges note whether students included a supplement in their entry or not.
