Directors also should enlist student participation in developing project goals. In addition, the Fund employs an external evaluator to assess the quality and effectiveness of the projects. In conjunction with this outside evaluation, project directors are required to administer student surveys provided by BWF's evaluator. This project is not intended to support curriculum development or teacher training. Selection BWF has appointed an outside advisory committee composed of distinguished science educators and scientists to review the applications and make recommendations for approval by the Fund's Board of Directors.
Selection is based on a number of factors.
These factors include how well the project meets the award program's criteria, the organization's ability to conduct and sustain the enrichment activities, the qualifications of the project's director and staff, the appropriateness of the budget, the amount of external support, and the effectiveness of the evaluation plan. BWF also considers the proposed plan to help link participating students with other science-related activities in their schools and communities, and whether there are plans to continue the project after the Fund's support ends. Organizations that previously have received a Student Science Enrichment Program award and are applying for another award will be expected to demonstrate successful outcomes from the earlier award and promise of significant achievement from a new award. BWF does not provide critiques of unfunded proposals.