science fair judge training the following slides will help you become more familiar with the san...

SCIENCE FAIR JUDGESCIENCE FAIR JUDGE TRAINING TRAINING

The following The following slides will help slides will help you become you become more familiar more familiar with the San with the San Luis Valley Luis Valley Regional Regional Science Fair.Science Fair.

San Luis Valley Regional Science San Luis Valley Regional Science FairFair

March 5 and 6March 5 and 6 Plachy Hall, Adams State College Plachy Hall, Adams State College Elementary, Junior, and Senior Divisions. Elementary, Junior, and Senior Divisions.

20 winners from the Junior and Senior 20 winners from the Junior and Senior Divisions are eligible to participate in the Divisions are eligible to participate in the Colorado State Science and Engineering Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair, held in Fort Collins, CO April 9-11, Fair, held in Fort Collins, CO April 9-11, 20152015

Project CategoriesProject CategoriesElementary CategoriesElementary Categories

1.1. Behavior and Social SciencesBehavior and Social Sciences

2.2. Biomedical Biomedical

3.3. BotanyBotany

4.4. ChemistryChemistry

5.5. Consumer Science Consumer Science

6.6. Earth and Space SciencesEarth and Space Sciences

7.7. EngineeringEngineering

8.8. Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences

9.9. Mathematics and Computer ScienceMathematics and Computer Science

10.10. PhysicsPhysics

11.11. ZoologyZoology

Junior & Senior Division CategoriesJunior & Senior Division Categories

1.1. Behavior and Social SciencesBehavior and Social Sciences

2.2. BiomedicalBiomedical

3.3. BotanyBotany

4.4. ChemistryChemistry

5.5. Consumer Sciences, Junior Division onlyConsumer Sciences, Junior Division only

6.6. Earth and Space SciencesEarth and Space Sciences

7.7. EngineeringEngineering

8.8. Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences

9.9. Mathematics and Computer ScienceMathematics and Computer Science

10.10. PhysicsPhysics

11.11. ZoologyZoology

Be prepared to wear many Be prepared to wear many hats…hats…

1.1. Professional Professional AuthorityAuthority

2.2. Role ModelRole Model

3.3. FacilitatorFacilitator

4.4. Counselor & Counselor & MotivatorMotivator

5.5. EvaluatorEvaluator

Two Stage Judging ProcessTwo Stage Judging Process

Afternoon of Day 1 – Review the Afternoon of Day 1 – Review the projects in the absence of the projects in the absence of the students.students.

Morning of Day 2 – Oral interview Morning of Day 2 – Oral interview with students present.with students present.

Top 10 Things a Judge Top 10 Things a Judge ShouldShould DoDo

1.1. Work to put the students at ease – be genuine & smile. Work to put the students at ease – be genuine & smile. Recognize that some students may be shy or speak Recognize that some students may be shy or speak English as a second language.English as a second language.

2.2. Encourage conversation. Encourage conversation. 3.3. Listen actively.Listen actively.4.4. Ask the students about their project, not just what they Ask the students about their project, not just what they

did.did.5.5. Ask the students enough questions to satisfy yourself Ask the students enough questions to satisfy yourself

that they understood the project – when you have that they understood the project – when you have reached the student’s knowledge limit, reached the student’s knowledge limit, STOPSTOP asking asking questions.questions.

6.6. Let the students show their stuff – let them teach you Let the students show their stuff – let them teach you something.something.

7.7. Give positive reinforcement to encourage participation.Give positive reinforcement to encourage participation.8.8. Remember when you were 12 years old (or 9, or 17).Remember when you were 12 years old (or 9, or 17).9.9. End the interview on a positive note.End the interview on a positive note.10.10. Record constructive criticism on comment sheet.Record constructive criticism on comment sheet.

Top 10 Things a Judge Top 10 Things a Judge Should NOTShould NOT Do!Do!

1.1. Display boredom.Display boredom.2.2. Tally judging sheets in front of the students.Tally judging sheets in front of the students.3.3. Make assumptions.Make assumptions.4.4. Belittle the student or their project.Belittle the student or their project.5.5. Spend your interview time talking about yourself or Spend your interview time talking about yourself or

ask personal questions about the student.ask personal questions about the student.6.6. Criticize (negatively) or treat lightly.Criticize (negatively) or treat lightly.7.7. Compare to projects seen in other competitions or Compare to projects seen in other competitions or

scholastic events.scholastic events.8.8. Refer to other projects you have seen.Refer to other projects you have seen.9.9. Discuss winners or critical comments about Discuss winners or critical comments about

particular projects in places where students or particular projects in places where students or parents or teachers might overhear.parents or teachers might overhear.

10.10. Write negative comments on the comment sheet.Write negative comments on the comment sheet.

What do the What do the Science Fair Science Fair ProjectsProjects look like? look like?

As a judge, what should I As a judge, what should I expect from the students?expect from the students?

Pride in their projects and Pride in their projects and accomplishmentsaccomplishments

Preparation for the fair and the ability Preparation for the fair and the ability to clearly and concisely explain their to clearly and concisely explain their projectsprojects

Ability to answer questions about their Ability to answer questions about their projects at levels appropriate to their projects at levels appropriate to their grades and agesgrades and ages

Wide variety of project quality and Wide variety of project quality and sophisticationsophistication

Judging Tips – Both DaysJudging Tips – Both Days Look for evidence of laboratory, field, theoretical work or Look for evidence of laboratory, field, theoretical work or

analytical work, not just library research or analytical work, not just library research or gadgeteering. gadgeteering.

Be sure to take into consideration the amount of time Be sure to take into consideration the amount of time spent working on the project and the amount of data spent working on the project and the amount of data collected (if it is pertinent to the student’s research).collected (if it is pertinent to the student’s research).

Determine if there are adequate data to support the Determine if there are adequate data to support the conclusions? Are the conclusions based on a single conclusions? Are the conclusions based on a single experiment or replication of experiments?experiment or replication of experiments?

Was the student able to quantify her/his data?Was the student able to quantify her/his data? Does the experiment reflect the student’s knowledge and Does the experiment reflect the student’s knowledge and

abilities? We understand and expect that the students abilities? We understand and expect that the students will be receiving help with their experiments, however, will be receiving help with their experiments, however, we want the final product to be their own work.we want the final product to be their own work.

Proving the hypothesis true is NOT the purpose of a Proving the hypothesis true is NOT the purpose of a science fair project. A well supported answer to a science fair project. A well supported answer to a problem is.problem is.

Judging Team ProjectsJudging Team Projects

Team Projects will be located in the Team Projects will be located in the appropriate disciplinary category appropriate disciplinary category (i.e., a plant project done by a team (i.e., a plant project done by a team will be with the other Botany will be with the other Botany projects).projects).

How to Pre-Judge a Project on How to Pre-Judge a Project on the First Daythe First Day

Remember that the physical display is Remember that the physical display is SECONDARYSECONDARY to the student’s knowledge of the project.to the student’s knowledge of the project.

Take a quick look at all of your assigned projects to Take a quick look at all of your assigned projects to get a feel for what they are about, what they look get a feel for what they are about, what they look like and how they compare to each other.like and how they compare to each other.

Read through the project display board. Were you Read through the project display board. Were you able to understand quickly what the experiment was able to understand quickly what the experiment was and what the results were?and what the results were?

Read through the workbook, journal or lab Read through the workbook, journal or lab notebook. The student should have one.notebook. The student should have one.

Write down your questions and compliments on the Write down your questions and compliments on the scoring sheet for use in the oral interview on the scoring sheet for use in the oral interview on the second day.second day.

Record constructive criticism on the comment sheet Record constructive criticism on the comment sheet and initial the sheet.and initial the sheet.

Judging Tips – Oral Judging Tips – Oral InterviewInterview

Arrive early and plan to stay through the entire Arrive early and plan to stay through the entire judging interview period.judging interview period.

Pace yourself. Your interviews should last no longer Pace yourself. Your interviews should last no longer than 10-12 minutes with each of the students.than 10-12 minutes with each of the students.

For team projects, ask questions to determine For team projects, ask questions to determine whether whether eacheach member of the team understands the member of the team understands the project.project.

Revise your scores as many times as you need.Revise your scores as many times as you need. If you are stuck on a project see your Category If you are stuck on a project see your Category

Team Leader or Science Fair representative. Team Leader or Science Fair representative. Don’t Don’t hesitate to ask questionshesitate to ask questions..

Be consistent with your scoring. Don’t worry about Be consistent with your scoring. Don’t worry about how the other judges are scoring projects.how the other judges are scoring projects.

Please don’t give all of your projects the same score. Please don’t give all of your projects the same score. Judge the “best” and encourage the rest.Judge the “best” and encourage the rest.

Judging InterviewJudging InterviewPersonalize Your Personalize Your

LanguageLanguageI liked…I liked…I enjoyed…I enjoyed…I noticed…I noticed…I feel that…I feel that…I recommend…I recommend…A technique I A technique I have used…have used…I understand I understand that…that…

Possible Judging Possible Judging QuestionsQuestions

What is the most important What is the most important thing I should know about thing I should know about your project?your project?

How did you get your idea? How did you get your idea? What was your question?What was your question? What were your results?What were your results? What was your control?What was your control? Did you run into any Did you run into any

problems?problems? What skills did you develop?What skills did you develop? What are your unanswered What are your unanswered

questions?questions? If you continue your project, If you continue your project,

how would you proceed?how would you proceed? Did you have fun? What did Did you have fun? What did

you learn?you learn?

IntroductionIntroduction 00 11 22 33 44 55

a. Problem clearly stateda. Problem clearly stated

b. Hypothesis clearly stated b. Hypothesis clearly stated & reflected background & reflected background infoinfo

c. Appropriate background c. Appropriate background utilizedutilized

MethodsMethodsd. Design illustrates an d. Design illustrates an understanding of scientific understanding of scientific methodmethod

e. Observations/data clearly e. Observations/data clearly summarizedsummarized

f. Data and conclusions f. Data and conclusions recorded recorded

Paper and DisplayPaper and Displayg. All data is understandable g. All data is understandable and clearly presentedand clearly presented

h. Writing is appropriate to h. Writing is appropriate to student’s level.student’s level.

Judging Form - Judging Form - GeneralGeneral

Score (low to Score (low to high)high)

InterviewInterview 00 11 22 33 44 55

i. Understands facts, i. Understands facts, theories, & procedurestheories, & procedures

j. Demonstrates enthusiasm j. Demonstrates enthusiasm for & commitment to projectfor & commitment to project

k. Understands & interprets k. Understands & interprets data correctly & logically data correctly & logically

Creative AbilityCreative Abilityl. Approached the project l. Approached the project with originalitywith originality

ResultsResultsm. Tables, graphs, m. Tables, graphs, illustrations used effectively & illustrations used effectively & correctly correctly

n. Student answered n. Student answered questions effectively & questions effectively & accuratelyaccurately

o. Conclusions were justifiedo. Conclusions were justified

p. Did project suggest any p. Did project suggest any extensions to the student?extensions to the student?

Judging Form (cont)Judging Form (cont) Score (low to Score (low to high)high)

For Teams OnlyFor Teams Only 00 11 22 33 44 55

q. Tasks & contributions of q. Tasks & contributions of each team member are clearly each team member are clearly outlinedoutlined

r. Each team member was r. Each team member was fully involved with & familiar fully involved with & familiar with all aspects of the project.with all aspects of the project.

s. The final work reflect the s. The final work reflect the coordinated efforts of all team coordinated efforts of all team members members


Engineering GoalsEngineering Goals 00 11 22 33 44 55

a. Does project have clear a. Does project have clear objectiveobjective

b. Is the objective relevant to the b. Is the objective relevant to the potential user’s needs?potential user’s needs?

c. Is the solution workable, c. Is the solution workable, acceptable to the potential user, acceptable to the potential user, economically feasible?economically feasible?

d. Could the solution be utilized d. Could the solution be utilized successfully in design/construction successfully in design/construction of some end product?of some end product?

e. Is the solution a significant e. Is the solution a significant improvement over prior improvement over prior alternatives?alternatives?

f. Has solution been tested for f. Has solution been tested for performance under conditions of performance under conditions of use? use?

Paper and DisplayPaper and Displayg. All data is understandable and g. All data is understandable and clearly presentedclearly presented

h. Writing is appropriate to h. Writing is appropriate to student’s level.student’s level.

Judging Form – Judging Form – EngineeringEngineering



i. Understands facts, i. Understands facts, theories, & procedurestheories, & procedures

j. Demonstrates enthusiasm j. Demonstrates enthusiasm for & commitment to projectfor & commitment to project

k. Understands & interprets k. Understands & interprets data correctly & logically data correctly & logically

Creative AbilityCreative Abilityl. Approached the project l. Approached the project with originalitywith originality

ResultsResultsm. Tables, graphs, m. Tables, graphs, illustrations used effectively & illustrations used effectively & correctly correctly

n. Student answered n. Student answered questions effectively & questions effectively & accuratelyaccurately

o. Conclusions were justifiedo. Conclusions were justified

p. Did project suggest any p. Did project suggest any extensions to the student?extensions to the student?

Judging Form (cont) - Judging Form (cont) - EngEng


For Teams OnlyFor Teams Only 00 11 22 33 44 55

q. Tasks & contributions of q. Tasks & contributions of each team member are clearly each team member are clearly outlinedoutlined

r. Each team member was r. Each team member was fully involved with & familiar fully involved with & familiar with all aspects of the project.with all aspects of the project.

s. The final work reflect the s. The final work reflect the coordinated efforts of all team coordinated efforts of all team members members

Judging Form (cont) - Judging Form (cont) - EngEng


Mathematical ThoughtMathematical Thought 00 11 22 33 44 55

1. Seeks to solve a problem or 1. Seeks to solve a problem or answer a question?answer a question?

2. Query, problem or mathematical 2. Query, problem or mathematical pursuit clearly stated?pursuit clearly stated?

3. Logically outlines/organized and 3. Logically outlines/organized and complete?complete?

4. Note and acknowledge limitation 4. Note and acknowledge limitation of the study?of the study?

5. Reached a conclusion?5. Reached a conclusion?

ProcedureProcedure1. Systematically conducted?1. Systematically conducted?

2. Clearly demonstrates & explains 2. Clearly demonstrates & explains mathematical principles?mathematical principles?

3. Limited so that it can be 3. Limited so that it can be effectively completed?effectively completed?

Judging Form - Judging Form - MathematicsMathematics


DisplayDisplay 00 11 22 33 44 55

1. States the query problem or 1. States the query problem or mathematical pursuit clearly?mathematical pursuit clearly?

2. States the objective of the project 2. States the objective of the project clearly?clearly?

3. Procedure clearly organized to 3. Procedure clearly organized to explain the work, is concise & complete?explain the work, is concise & complete?

4. Summarizes the conclusions reached?4. Summarizes the conclusions reached?

PaperPaper1. Does the paper communicate the 1. Does the paper communicate the findings?findings?

2. Was the presentation of the math 2. Was the presentation of the math logical, clear, & correct? logical, clear, & correct?

3. Are all necessary materials in the 3. Are all necessary materials in the notebook & paper?notebook & paper?

4. At least 3 bibliographies cited 4. At least 3 bibliographies cited correctly?correctly?

5. More detailed than the information on 5. More detailed than the information on the display?the display?

6. Acknowledge help with project?6. Acknowledge help with project?

Judging Form (cont) MathJudging Form (cont) Math Score (low to Score (low to high)high)


1. Speaks clearly, slowly, concisely, 1. Speaks clearly, slowly, concisely, enough for comprehension?enough for comprehension?

2. Understands facts, theories, 2. Understands facts, theories, procedures?procedures?

3. Recognizes alternate 3. Recognizes alternate interpretations?interpretations?

4. Demonstrates enthusiasm for and 4. Demonstrates enthusiasm for and commitment to the project?commitment to the project?


After the Interview – After the Interview – Determination of Grand Determination of Grand

AwardsAwards Grand Awards are 1Grand Awards are 1stst, 2, 2ndnd, 3, 3rdrd, and , and

two honorable mentions in each two honorable mentions in each category.category.

Judging teams convene with the Judging teams convene with the category Team Leader to make category Team Leader to make decisions regarding project decisions regarding project placement for Grand Awards.placement for Grand Awards.

Score sheets should be returned to Score sheets should be returned to the Team Leader for disposal.the Team Leader for disposal.

Thank you for your commitment to the Thank you for your commitment to the future of our youth and science education!future of our youth and science education!

This Power Point was adapted from a Power Point developed by the Natrona County and Regional Science Fair Board.

science fair judge training the following slides will help you become more familiar with the san...

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