Breakdown of Judge Responsibilities During Project Presentations
Judging at the Performance Symposium involves a structured process to fairly evaluate student projects while providing constructive feedback. Here’s what judges can expect:
1. Pre-Event Preparation
Complete the application below
Review Guidelines & Rubrics: Judges receive scoring criteria and project expectations before the event.
Understand Project Categories: Familiarize yourself with the disciplines you’ll be evaluating (STEM, Humanities, Arts, etc.).
Conflict of Interest Check: Judges disclose any potential conflicts (e.g., personal connections to students).
2. Project Presentation Sessions
Each student or team presents their project, typically in one of the following formats:
Poster Presentation: Students display research findings visually and explain their work.
Live Demonstration: A hands-on demonstration showcasing innovation or experimentation.
Oral Presentation: A structured speech with supporting visuals (slides, charts, etc.).
During the presentation, judges:
Listen carefully to the student’s explanation.
Ask clarifying and open-ended questions to gauge depth of understanding.
Observe communication skills, confidence, and ability to respond to feedback.
3. Evaluation Process
Judges score each project based on criteria such as:
✅ Content & Research Quality – Depth of research, accuracy, and originality.
✅ Creativity & Innovation – Uniqueness of approach or solution.
✅ Presentation Skills – Clarity, confidence, and engagement.
✅ Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – How well students justify their work and respond to questions.
✅ Overall Impact – Significance and relevance of the project.
4. Providing Feedback
Offer constructive comments highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Encourage students by recognizing effort and creativity.
Avoid overly critical or discouraging language.
5. Post-Presentation Deliberations
Judges compare scores and discuss top projects.
In some cases, a panel consensus may determine winners or special recognitions.
Judges submit final scores and remarks for review.
6. Award & Recognition Process
Top projects may receive awards or honorable mentions.
Judges may be asked to present awards or provide feedback at the closing session.