Judging Information for the Experimental and Design Investigation - Poster and Paper Sessions
An Overview
Judging is, without a doubt, one of the most important phases of any science exposition. Because of its extreme importance, all judges should carefully review the following.
- Expositions are not intended to be contests between students or schools. Each exhibitor is to be judged based on the rating criteria and not in comparison to another exhibitor.
- Even though many exhibits show a remarkable degree of scientific knowledge, all judges are asked to keep in mind that all of the exhibitors are junior or senior high school students, many of whom are experiencing their first taste of scientific evaluation by a distinguished critic.
- Judges should use their own good judgment at all times. Be honest with themselves and the student. Keep in mind that only a small percentage of the students will ever actually go into scientific research; however, many of them will have a great deal to say about the future of science. Certainly, a valuable experience with science at this level might potentially reap valuable rewards later.
- The opportunity to discuss their project with interested adults acting as judges is a high point for most students. Be aware that most students have spent many months preparing for a judging period, which normally lasts fifteen minutes. Feel free to discuss any aspect of the student’s work; they deeply appreciate all questions and comments.
- All judges must be beyond high school age.
Judging Mechanics - Information for Judges
- Be sure to report for final instructions promptly on the day of the Exposition. Allowing enough time to park the car, and to allow for traffic interference in order to report on time. The Judging Chair will send information about when and where to report.
- Judges will be informed of any last minute changes and/or special instructions concerning judging assignments at the judges meeting.
- Each judging team is to be assigned about four to five projects or papers to judge. Again, each exhibitor is to be judged based on the rating criteria and not in comparison to other exhibitors or based on personal preferences.
- The Regional and State Expositions are planned so that each judging team is allowed fifteen to thirty minutes for each project or paper.
- Judges may be asked to judge projects in both divisions: Junior, grades 7 and 8 and Senior, grades 9,10, 11, and 12. If so, remember to judge them based on individual merit, and please keep the age of the exhibitor in mind.
- Each project judged must have a final score so that the certificate of award can be made. Be certain to use the correct rubric when scoring the project. Do not show or discuss students’ scores with them. Information on specific guidelines and procedures concerning ratings will be supplied by and discussed with the judging chair.
- Be pleasant and interested. Do not use cell phones while judging.
- Judges must please remember that they are working with tomorrow’s scientists; their ‘‘decision for science” may rest on the impression given to them by the judges.
- Students must be with their project or at their assigned paper session room at the time of judging. If the student(s) cannot be located within a reasonable period of time, then the project or paper is considered a No Show, and no rating is to be given.
- Many intangible factors are involved in judging. These can be evaluated only by talking with the student and cannot be estimated merely by looking at the physical aspects of the exhibit. Judges should keep in mind that a spectacular exhibit or one composed of costly equipment is not necessarily the best science project.
- Fill out the judges’ comment sheet which will be sent to the student. Please indicate comments that would help the student improve. Comments might be positive or constructive, but they should not be sarcastic. Please make sure that the comments are clear and to the point. Do not indicate the award on this sheet.
- It is imperative that each judging team finish its judging responsibilities in the allotted time and have its judging results turned in. The Awards Chair must have enough time to prepare the awards. Please allot time accordingly so that results and rubrics are turned in when due.
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Judges must be sure every project for which they are responsible is judged. Return the scoring rubric immediately to the Tally/Awards Room following the judging of each project by giving it to one of the Runners. Do not hold all scoring rubrics until finished judging all projects.
- Judges must return all materials belonging to the student. Judges may not keep any portion of a student’s report.
Rating Criteria
When rating the project and paper, the judges should consider the following:
Gold Award - The following criteria may identify an outstanding project.
- A scientific approach to a specific problem is supported with relevant experimentation.
- Approach indicates creativity.
- Conclusions logically deduced from experimental data.
- Clear concise research paper containing abstract in required form, safety sheet, and endorsement sheet(s) when appropriate.
- Students can speak knowledgeably on the content of paper and area of investigation.
- Good quantity and quality of background information is reflected in the Background Research (BR) section and Reference List.
Silver or Bronze Award
A silver or bronze award is given for a lesser degree of the above criteria; for example, insufficient reference list, lack of thoroughness in experimental technique, number of trials, observation, or lack of knowledge of the subject area.
Participation Certificate
A serious omission or mistake is present; for example, no proof of experimentation or no scientific approach is evident. Any model or demonstration will be issued a participation certificate. The judging chair will supply specific tips and pointers for a given category.