Welcome!

Introduction

Evaluate Exhibits Online at Your Own Pace and from Your Own Space!

* IMPORTANT NOTE *

Like last year, the Tri-County Science & Technology Fair continues to feature High School exhibits only. We have retained the virtual format because of the continuing challenges to find enough volunteers and a large enough space for the exhibits and attendees of an in-person event at the high school level.

As an online judge, you will evaluate pre-recorded video presentations and written documentation from assigned High School exhibits based on your expertise. Online judging will take place at your own pace from April 13 to April 20, 2026.

Deadline to register as a "virtual" judge is Friday, March 20.

The virtual fair allows us to recruit a wider and more diverse panel of experienced judges from outside the New York Metropolitan area, expanding opportunities beyond what an in-person event would allow. This presents an excellent networking opportunity, allowing you to connect with fellow technical professionals from organizations listed here.

Evaluate Exhibits Online at Your Own Pace and from Your Own Space!

This website is for volunteers judging the "virtual" Tri-County Science & Technology High School Fair, scheduled for April 13-20, 2026. You likely received an email inviting you to register as a judge.

If you received the recruiting email multiple times, we apologize. Our system sometimes fails to filter out those already contacted, leading to repeated messages.

We face a constant challenge in recruiting enough qualified judges each year, which is why you’re here!

We seek judges with a strong background in science and technology, along with experience in teaching, research, government, or industry. Judges should understand the subject deeply, evaluate student exhibits objectively, and offer constructive feedback. We want passionate individuals who are excited to support student learning and growth in STEM.

This site offers important information for judges, including the online project selection and evaluation processes, judging guidelines, criteria, and a list of exhibits.

You'll also find links to other fair information and a directory of judges who have opted to share their contact details for networking. Use the top menu to navigate the site.

If you have any questions regarding judging at the fair, PLEASE contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402.

What's Involved?

During the week of April 6, about one week before the "virtual" fair begins, confirmed judges can examine a list of High School exhibits with their categories and project titles. All confirmed judges have the option online to select up to 8 High School exhibits to evaluate on a first-come, first served basis, depending on which exhibits still remain unassigned to the maximum allowed number of judges per exhibit. You may select exhibits in solely one or across more than one category

By April 10, judges will need to make their selections online.

By April 13, Judges receive an email with a list of assigned exhibits, links to online video presentations, and documentation from those exhibits

From April 13 - 20, judges evaluate the presentations and documentation from each of their assigned exhibits at their own pace remotely over the course of the week. Unlike an in-person fair, you will not be able to interact with the students to gauge the understanding of their exhibit.

By April 20 at 6:00 PM EDT, judges must complete all evaluations of their assigned exhibits and submit their scores using the Exhibit Evaluation Form.

Results announced April 25 on this website!

Here is an easy way for you to make a difference! Please volunteer & support local students interested in science, technology, engineering, & math!

Prizes are given to winners at each level in the categories of:

Biology
Chemistry
Clinical/Social Psychology
Earth/Space Science
Engineering/Technology
Environmental Science
Health/Nutrition
Math/Computers
Medicine and Medical Science & Technology
Physics
Physiological/Experimental Psychology

Background (click to expand)

Since 1994, the Putnam Children’s Discovery Center has been sparking scientific curiosity with the annual Tri-County Science & Technology Fair. This event is a celebration of innovation, rewarding young minds who dedicate their time to creating well-researched and inventive STEM projects.

Open to all budding scientists from public, private, and home schools in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties in New York State, our fair has also extended a warm welcome to Middle Schools in Nassau county during certain years for a “virtual” competition in science and technology.

What set the Tri-County Science & Technology Fair apart? From 1994-2024, it was the only New York State regional fair that included three grade levels: Elementary, Middle, and High School. While most fairs limited their showcase to one or two levels, we provided a continuous journey for students to fuel their passion for science and technology throughout their academic careers. But since 2025, due to limited resources, we have chosen to focus solely on High School competition, and we expect to attract more than 150 students participating in our virtual fair!

Many High School participants, handpicked by their principal or science department chair, got the opportunity to present original research or demonstrate a scientific, mathematical, or technological principle. The crème de la crème, who choose to enter original research in the fair, can aim for the stars and advance to the New York State level competition – the NYS Science Congress.

Judging a science fair isn’t just about scoring - it’s a chance to give back to the community, help students hone their scientific skills, and stay updated with the latest research and technologies. Plus, it’s a fantastic networking opportunity, allowing judges to connect with other professionals and expand their circles in the field.

What's Next?

Logistics (click to expand)

Did you register to be a "virtual" judge before March 20? If not, click on Registration or the Volunteer! and Registration links in the top menu.
If you register as a "virtual" judge. you will receive an acknowledgment email (#2) of your registration, followed by a series of follow-up emails until shortly before the fair as shown in the workflow in the Timeline section below.
Please review the Judging Guidelines, which includes links to the Judging Rubric, your potential for Conflict-of-Interest as a judge, a preliminary list of exhibits, and what is involved in Selecting Exhibits and Evaluating Exhibits.
If you are already registered as a virtual judge, did you receive an email (#3) before March 27 requesting confirmation of your online participation and declaration of Conflict-of-Interest? If not, PLEASE contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402.
If you have already registered and confirmed as a virtual judge, you should have received an orientation email (#5) by April 6 with your judge's ID and password to allow you to select online the exhibits you prefer to judge. If so, click visit the Selecting Exhibits page for further instructions. If not, PLEASE contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402.
If you received your orientation email by April 6, did you select your exhibits through our online form by April 10? If so, you should have received an acknowledgment email (#6) of your selections. If you did not receive the acknowledgment email after selecting your exhibits online, PLEASE contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402.
Did you receive the Final Reminder email (#7) with the evaluation packet for the virtual fair by April 13? If so, visit the Evaluating Exhibits page for further instructions. If not, PLEASE contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402.
Did you submit your scores no later than April 20 at 6:00 PM EDT for the exhibits that you evaluated?
Learn more about the fair by visiting Useful Links

FAQs Virtual Fair (click to expand)

What is my time commitment for judging virtual exhibits?
Set aside 30–45 minutes per exhibit minimum: 15 minutes for the video, 15+ minutes for documentation, questionnaire responses, and note-taking. This prevents rushed decisions and ensures adequate review of all evidence before scoring.
How can I be a more effective judge?
Please refer to the Judges Rubric and/or the Judging Overview video for more details.
Can I judge multiple categories in the virtual fair?
You can select or be assigned exhibits within one or across multiple STEM categories based on your expertise and interest.
What are the minimum and maximum number of exhibits that I can judge in the virtual fair?
For statistical reasons and to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation, we aim for each judge to assess a minimum of three exhibits and up to a maximum of eight. But what happens if a judge selects fewer than or is unable to be assigned at least three exhibits? In such cases, we will reassign those exhibits to other judges who have fewer than eight assigned exhibits based on the preferred categories and level from their registration..
How long do I have to evaluate virtual exhibits?
You may choose to evaluate all your assigned virtual exhibits at once or stagger them at your own pace between Monday, April 13, 8:00 AM to Monday, April 20, 6:00 PM EDT.
How many exhibits can I select to judge for the virtual fair?
Judges can select up to 8 exhibits on a first-come, first served basis, depending on which exhibits still remain unassigned to the maximum allowed number of judges per exhibit. You may select exhibits in solely one or across more than one category, but the maximum number of selections may vary by grade level based on the number of exhibits and judges.
What if there are fewer or no exhibits available in the category and level that I selected?
Anticipate Alternatives: If fewer exhibits are available than expected, it’s possible other judges have already chosen your original picks. Plan alternate choices, especially in categories with available exhibits. Remember: Early Access Matters—the sooner you use the Exhibit Selection Form, the better chance you have to judge your preferred exhibits!
Will I get to judge all the exhibits that I selected?
There is no guarantee that all your original selections from the Exhibit Selection Form will still be available to evaluate by April 8 because some exhibits may drop out if they cannot develop their video presentation and supporting materials in time. We try to assign you as many available exhibits that you selected as possible.
What if I do not select any exhibits to judge?
We may still assign you up to 8 exhibits that were not chosen by at least three other judges or that joined the fair after the Exhibit Selection process started. We try to match exhibits with your preferred categories and level from your registration.
Why do I have some exhibits assigned to me that I did not select?
You may be assigned exhibits that were not chosen by at least three other judges or that joined the fair after the Exhibit Selection process started. We try to match exhibits with your preferred categories and level from your registration.
Can I save my exhibits scores and comments along the way or do I need to start over?
Yes. Please refer Exhibit Evaluation Form Guidelines for more details.
What is the deadline to select exhibits for the virtual fair?
You have from Monday, April 8 at 8:00 AM to Friday, April 10 at 6:00 PM EDT to select exhibits. If you do not select exhibits by the deadline, you may still be assigned with any remaining exhibits to evaluate that have not been selected by other judges.
What is the deadline to submit scores for the virtual fair?
All scores from judges must be submitted no later than Monday, April 20 at 6:00 PM EDT.
What if an exhibit involving living creatures or humans did not comply with an IACUC or IRB protocol?
If the exhibit does not demonstrate or indicate compliance with IACUC or IRB protocol, you should notify the Judges Committee immediately , and you should assign the lowest score (0) for Thoroughness to the exhibit; thereby, disqualifying it from any award consideration. Please consult the Judges Rubric and/or the Judging Overview video for more details.
What if the links to an exhibit's video or documentation are not working?
Please contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402. If we cannot resolve the issue in time before you are scheduled to complete your evaluations, then please enter a score of "1" for Clarity for the exhibit.
What if an exhibit's video or audio is unclear or inaudible?
Please contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402. If we cannot resolve the issue in time before you are scheduled to complete your evaluations, then please enter a score of "1" for Clarity for the exhibit.
What about the possible use or misuse of Artificial Intelligence in an exhibit?
The Tri-County Science & Technology Fair permits the responsible use of AI as a research aid, provided students fully disclose how AI was used, verify AI outputs, and retain clear ownership of their work. If you discover misuse of artificial intelligence, you should notify the Judges Committee immediately and assign the lowest score (0) for Skill to the exhibit; thereby, removing it from any award consideration. Please consult the Judges Rubric and/or the Judging Overview video for more details.
How can I interact with the student(s) to ask questions about their exhibit?
Our virtual format provides you with an online video presentation and documentation to allow you to effectively evaluate an exhibit based on our Judging Rubric. For privacy concerns, we cannot allow online interactions between adults and minors. Please direct any questions regarding an exhibit's content or links to the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402. We'll try to reach the student for you, but we can't promise they'll reply before your deadline.
What if I were assigned exhibits to judge but can no longer continue judging?
Notify the Judges' Committee as soon as possible at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402 so that we can reassign your exhibits to another judge.
What if I find out that I have a potential conflict-of-interest while evaluating an exhibit?
Please submit scores of "0" for all criteria and discontinue evaluating the exhibit. Notify the Judges' Committee as soon as possible at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402 so that we can reassign the exhibit to another judge.
What if I want to judge Elementary or Middle School exhibits?
You can also consider judging the Elementary and/or Middle School fairs, which are scheduled to take place in-person instead of or in addition to the virtual High School fair. The Elementary School Science Fair will take place at F.E. Bellows Elementary School on Saturday, April 25. The Middle School Science Fair is now sponsored by WRMSEF and will take place at Edgemont MS on Saturday, May 2.
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
If you have any further questions or comments about the fair, please contact the Judges' Committee at Judges@DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 x-402.

Comments from Judges of Previous Fairs (click to expand)

All good! So glad to be a part of it! Thank you!
As a former school psychologist and current trainer of school psychologists it was great to have contact with such a bright and motivated group of students. I enjoyed the experience thoroughly.
Excellent or you can say Outstanding organization.
I think you all did an amazing job considering all the things you had to coordinate! Thank you so much!
I thought the organizers did a wonderful job. It was a great experience - exciting to see our future.
It was a lot of fun and great to see how young minds work and process scientific and mathematical information.
Keep up the good work, and thanks for the opportunity to participate
Really enjoyed it, a great first experience, looking forward to next year
Thank you for the opportunity to participate as a judge.
The ability to view videos at one's own pace is a nice feature of the virtual format. I think organization was good.

Timeline for 2026 Tri-County Science & Technology Fair (click to expand)

Thank You!!

On behalf of the many volunteers, teachers, parents, and students who are involved with our Tri-County Science & Technology High School Fair, we wish to extend our gratitude and appreciation to YOU for:

taking time out from your busy schedule to help judge, evaluate, and offer constructive feedback to our students
helping to advance an interest in STEM topics among the youth in our area
allowing us to continue operating our fair in a "virtual" setting; thereby, expanding the scope of judges that can participate