Judges

We are always looking for dedicated, qualified,  empathetic, and enthusiastic people to serve as judges for our fair. If you would like to donate your time on fair day to providing feedback to young scientists, please read the qualifications below and sign up using the website linked.  Below the link, please read the characteristics of good judges to really understand who we are looking for to help!

4th Grade/Middle School Judges

Must be at minimum enrolled in a science Undergraduate Program and have some background knowledge of the content. 

High School  Judges

Must have at least a Master's degree in a field of science, math, or technology.  We are looking for experts in their field to judge our high school categories. 

• f scientists and engineers.

Qualities of a Good Judge:

A good science fair judge is not just an expert in a scientific field, but also an effective communicator and a fair evaluator. Their role is to not only assess the project but also to be a positive ambassador for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Here are some general characteristics of a good science fair judge:

1. Fairness and Impartiality

• Equal Time: A good judge spends a consistent amount of time with each student. This ensures that every project, regardless of initial appeal, gets a fair chance to be explained and evaluated.

• Respectful Attitude: They treat every student with respect and courtesy, regardless of the student's age, project complexity, or presentation skills. They understand that students are often nervous.

• Focus on the Student's Work: They prioritize the student's effort and understanding over the flashiness of the display board or the cost of the equipment.

2. Strong Interpersonal Skills

• Engaging and Encouraging: They are friendly and approachable. They use a positive and enthusiastic tone to make students feel at ease and to encourage them to share their work.

• Active Listening: A good judge listens carefully to the student's explanation and avoids interrupting. They focus on understanding the student's perspective and what the student has learned.

• Thoughtful Questioning: They ask open-ended questions that encourage the student to think critically and explain their reasoning. Instead of asking "Why didn't you do X?", they might ask, "What do you think would have happened if you had done X?" or "What are some areas you'd like to explore next?" They probe for the student's understanding rather than trying to find flaws.

• Provides Constructive Feedback: They offer positive and constructive feedback. They might compliment a student's creativity, thoroughness, or problem-solving skills, and then offer suggestions for how the project could be improved or expanded in the future.

3. Expertise and Knowledge

• Understanding of the Scientific Method: Even if they are not an expert in a specific project's field, a good judge has a firm grasp of the scientific method or the engineering design process. They can evaluate how well the student followed these principles.

• Focus on the "Why": They look beyond the final results to understand the student's motivation, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. They want to know why the student chose the topic, why they designed the experiment the way they did, and what they learned from the process.

• Ability to Assess Project Criteria: They are adept at evaluating the key criteria of a good project, such as:

  • Creativity and Originality: Was the idea unique for the student's grade level?

  • Scientific Thought: Is the project a well-designed, logical investigation?

  • Thoroughness: Is the data sufficient, and are the conclusions well-supported?

  • Clarity: Can the student clearly explain their project, and is the display well-organized?

4. Professionalism

• Professional Demeanor: They conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner. They respect the rules of the fair and avoid any conflicts of interest.

• Commitment: They are committed to their role and take the time to evaluate each project carefully and fairly. They understand the importance of their role in supporting the next generation o