As a part of ongoing efforts to provide a more consistent judging process, these guidelines may help you in your evaluation of the student projects and with your interactions with students during the student interview. 

PLEASE: NO GROUP INTERVIEWS!  It is strongly advised for each Team Member to conduct interviews one-on-one, if possible.  

WHEN INTERACTING WITH THE STUDENTS PLEASE REMEMBER: 

• Not all students have the same skills and talents - you will see some great projects and some not so great. Remember this is an extracurricular activity for all the students on top of all their regular classes and homework. Please take into account their personal effort.

• Encourage the students. Try to discuss the project with them, not like you would speak to a coworker or employee, but rather as a very impressionable individual who is looking for acceptance and is probably very nervous when talking to you.  Let them know how they could improve their project for the next time.

• Be Positive. When your interview is complete, let them know what you liked about the project. And, be sure to take advantage of the "Feedback for Scientists" on the electronic score sheet for both the project board and interview. Students will be given this feedback after the Science Fair concludes.

INTERVIEW INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS: 

One of the most fun segments of being a judge is the student interview. This year, you will interview each student with your Judge Team in the afternoon. However, you will evaluate the student independent of your team to ensure individual objectivity. Each student deserves your individual assessment of his/her responses to questions.

You may want to consider these opening questions for the interview stage. 

1. Tell me about your project.

2. What gave you the idea for the project?

3. What was the most difficult part of making your project?

4. What type of encouragement / help did your sponsor give you to create this project?

5. Does your work have an impact beyond the project itself? Can the work be applied locally or more broadly in the community?

Often judges comment that after the interview their perspective on the project was significantly changed. Keep in mind, you will not be able to go back and change your project board score. You are encouraged, however, to mention this during the Chief Judge final huddle from 2-3 p.m.