Judges

Thank you for taking the time to consider being a judge at the Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair. As a Judge, you have the opportunity to meet many local high school students who are passionate about your field of study. They are eager to share their own work with experts in each field of science. Judges will meet with a number of students in a chosen field, and will assess the quality of work that the students have developed in their project.

Perhaps even more important than the judging itself, the fair is an opportunity for you to have a memorable impact on the lives of some very talented young people. For some students, you are the first professional they have ever met who does a science or engineering job for a living. Part of your role at the Science Fair is to be an ambassador for your profession. Some students’ perceptions of you could influence their career choices. Finally this is an opportunity for the participants to learn and grow; and your wisdom and motivation are paramount to their success.

Rubrics

These rubrics are not absolute — they serve as a guide to help you consider judging.

ISEF Judging Criteria for Engineering Projects (PDF)

ISEF Judging Criteria for Science Projects (PDF)

Special rubric for Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence / Data Science oriented Projects (PDF)

Important Links

Judge Registration: https://centralsoundfair.stemwizard.com/public_site/judge_register

Judge Login: https://centralsoundfair.stemwizard.com/judge/login/centralsoundfair

Judge Training Video, How to use stemwizard

Judging FAQ

Who can be a judge?

Anyone with college degree or higher in a science field, including professional degrees (e.g. MD, DDS, DVM, RN, NP), are eligible to judge our science categories. Engineering judges must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. High school science and engineering teachers who do not have students participating in the fair are also invited to judge.

We also have a large need for behavioral science judges, as this category is our largest and boasts numbers around 30 each year. Those with degrees in psychology, neurobiology, human behavior, cultural anthropology, sociology, or related fields may judge in this category.

Why register?

Even if you have been a judge before, we need everyone to complete the online registration form below so we can ensure an accurate headcount, name-tags, and to complete judge assignments for each category.

What is expected of CSRSEF judges?

Judges are expected to objectively evaluate student projects using the CSRSEF judging guidelines, which will be provided for you on the day of the fair. In addition, Judges are also expected to provide positive feedback to all participants and participate in deciding on the awards for your category (or special award).

Your virtual presence is required on Fair day from 8 am until  around 2pm. When registering, you will indicate the fields in which you are comfortable reviewing projects, and be placed in small teams on the day of the fair. Each team will interview between four and seven projects during the course of the fair. There are three rounds of judging (the last one designed for helping to decide award winners), and there will be times to discuss results and projects with the other judges in your category between judging rounds and during lunch.

More details and additional training will be provided the day of the fair.

Do I have to stay the entire time?

Yes. We appreciate your support for our students!

How do I prepare?

For all judges, we will host a 45-minute training on the morning of the fair. The training is for all judges, including past judges.