Welcome
to
We
thank for so graciously donating your time and effort to encouraging the next
generation of scientists! The State
Science Fair Judging Committee has put together this short guide to orient you
to the judging process. Although the
information included in this guide is primarily intended for Grand Awards
Judges (the “normal” judges), we hope that Special Awards Judges will find it
useful as well. Although this guide has
been compiled by MAS, we have heavily relied on guidelines from Science Service
(parent organization for ISEF) as well as the BASEF (
The State Science Fair Judging Committee welcomes your feedback on this guide or any other comments or concerns you might have about the judging procedure at State Science Fair!! The judges are the most important part of the science fair!! Please let us know what we can do to make your experience the best it can be!
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Bankers-Fulbright, Ph.D.
Chair, State Science Fair Judging Committee
Basic Information for Judges
Where
& when is the
The
State Science Fair has permanently relocated to
What
should I wear?
This
is a “professional” event so dress accordingly!
The students are often in business or business-casual wear and judges
should dress similarly. Be sure to wear
comfortable shoes!
Where
do I park?
The Radisson
Riverfront Hotel has a parking ramp attached to it (entrance on
Where
do I go when I get to the Radisson Riverfront Hotel?
Judges
should report directly to the Judges Room (Governors Hall) on the Lower Level
of the hotel for registration, a complimentary breakfast, and short training
refresher.
What
if I get hungry?
We’ll
feed you! Enjoy a complementary
breakfast during Judge Registration and Training, complementary lunch between
the morning and afternoon judging sessions, and snacks throughout the day!
What’s
the difference between Grand Awards and Special Awards Judges?
Grand Awards Judges are the
“regular” judges – they will use the score sheets like the ones found in this
guide and will be scheduled to interview students in two different
categories. Grand Awards recognize the
top 30% of students participating at the State Science Fair and are determined
ONLY by normalized judges’ scores. (cont. on next page)
Special Awards
Judges are either provided by the company or organization sponsoring the
Special Award or, in the case of Science Service Awards, recruited by MAS. These judges do NOT use the Scoring or
Comment sheets that the Grand Awards Judges use and award their prizes based on
the individual criteria for each prize.
Can
I judge a category even if I’m not an “expert” in that field?
Most
likely…and we may even specifically ask you to!
The scientific process is what is being judged – and the basic
principles of the scientific process are the same across disciplines. In fact, a judge who is “naïve” to a
particular discipline is often the only one to can really see if the student
understands their project well enough to explain the whole concept
clearly! If you are extremely
uncomfortable judging a particular field/project, please let the Judging Coordinator
know on site and they will reassign you.
Who
should I contact with questions or comments about judging?
For general questions regarding the
State Science Fair, contact Gary Alexander (State Science Fair Director) at
For specific
questions regarding judging, contact Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright (State
Science Fair Judge Coordinator) at
Both Gary and
Jennifer will be on-site at the State Science Fair as well! You can find them on the Lower Level of the hotel
at (1) State Science Fair Headquarters, just outside the exhibit hall or (2) in
the Judges Room/Governors Hall.
What
have I gotten myself into?!
An experience
you’re going to LOVE! Not only can you
have fun while helping others and encouraging today’s youth, but this is an
excellent opportunity for networking, developing analytical, evaluation, &
communication skills, and learning a
Grand Awards Judging Schedule
All Grand Awards Judging takes place on Monday.
Times Event Location
7:30 – 8:00am Judges’
Registration & Breakfast Governors
Hall
8:00
– 8:30am Judges’
Overview &Training Governors
Hall
8:30
– 10:00am Pre-judge
all Projects (no students) Capitol/Minnesota
BRs
10:00
– Noon Morning Grand Awards
Judging Capitol/Minnesota
BRs
11:30am
– 2:00pm Lunch and turn in
morning scores Governors
Hall
3:30 – 4:00pm Turn
in afternoon scores Governors
Hall
Special Awards Judging Schedule
All
Special Awards Judging takes place on Monday.
Times Event Location
7:30
– 8:00am Judges’
Registration & Breakfast Governors
Hall
8:00
– 8:30am Judges’
Orientation & Training Governors
Hall
8:30
– 10:00am Pre-judge
all Projects (no students) Capitol/Minnesota
BRs
10:00am
– 12:45pm Morning Students
Present** Capitol/Minnesota BRs
Noon
– 12:45pm Unopposed
Special Awards Judging Capitol/Minnesota
BRs
11:30am
– 2:00pm Lunch Available Governors
Hall
12:45
– 3:30pm Afternoon
Students Present** Capitol/Minnesota BRs
12:45
– 1:30pm Unopposed
Special Awards Judging Capitol/Minnesota
BRs
10:00am –
4:00pm Turn
in judging scores/results State
Science Fair Headquarters
** Special Awards Judges
(including ISEF judges) have priority ONLY during unopposed judging periods
(Noon – 1:30pm). During other times,
Special Awards Judges may listen to (but not participate in) Grand Awards
Judges interviews and interview students ONLY when no Grand Awards Judge is
judging that student.
Grand & Special Awards Judging Schedule
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MONDAY [ALL PROJECT JUDGING] |
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Judge
Dining |
Grand
Awards Judges |
Special
Awards Judges |
Students |
Events |
Data
Entry |
Number
Crunching |
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7:30 AM |
Judge Breakfast |
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8:00 AM |
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Judge Training |
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8:30 AM |
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9:00 AM |
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Pre-judge Projects |
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9:30 AM |
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10:00 AM |
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Grand Awards Judging - Session #1 |
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Session #1 Students Present |
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10:30 AM |
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11:00 AM |
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11:30 AM |
Judge Lunch |
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12:00 PM |
Special Awards Judging - Session #1 |
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12:30 PM |
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Data Entry Session #1 |
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12:45 PM |
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Session #2 Students Present |
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Special Awards Judging Session #2 |
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1:00 PM |
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1:30 PM |
Grand Awards Judging Session #2 |
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Data Entry Special Awards |
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2:00 PM |
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2:30 PM |
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3:00 PM |
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Grand, Discovery, ISEF & First
Year Award Determination and Preparation for Ceremony |
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3:30 PM |
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All Students Present |
Public Viewing |
Data Entry Session #2 |
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4:00 PM |
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4:30 PM |
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