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 Luis with the San Luis Valley Regional Valley Regional Science Fair.Science Fair.

San Luis Valley Regional Science FairSan Luis Valley Regional Science Fair

March 2 and 3, 2017March 2 and 3, 2017 Plachy Hall, Adams State College Plachy Hall, Adams State College Elementary, Junior, and Senior Divisions. 24 Elementary, Junior, and Senior Divisions. 24

winners from the Junior and Senior Divisions winners from the Junior and Senior Divisions are eligible to participate in the Colorado State are eligible to participate in the Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair, held in Fort Science and Engineering Fair, held in Fort Collins, CO April 6-8, 2017Collins, CO April 6-8, 2017

Project CategoriesProject CategoriesElementary CategoriesElementary Categories

1.1. Behavior and Social SciencesBehavior and Social Sciences2.2. Biomedical Biomedical 3.3. BotanyBotany4.4. ChemistryChemistry5.5. Consumer Science Consumer Science 6.6. Earth and Space SciencesEarth and Space Sciences7.7. EngineeringEngineering8.8. Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences9.9. Mathematics and Computer ScienceMathematics and Computer Science10.10. PhysicsPhysics11.11. ZoologyZoology

Junior & Senior Division CategoriesJunior & Senior Division Categories

1.1. Behavior and Social SciencesBehavior and Social Sciences2.2. BiomedicalBiomedical3.3. BotanyBotany4.4. ChemistryChemistry5.5. Consumer Sciences, Junior Division onlyConsumer Sciences, Junior Division only6.6. Earth and Space SciencesEarth and Space Sciences7.7. EngineeringEngineering8.8. Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences9.9. Mathematics and Computer ScienceMathematics and Computer Science10.10. PhysicsPhysics11.11. ZoologyZoology

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

1.1. Professional Professional AuthorityAuthority

2.2. Role ModelRole Model3.3. FacilitatorFacilitator4.4. Counselor & Counselor &

MotivatorMotivator5.5. EvaluatorEvaluator

Two Stage Judging ProcessTwo Stage Judging Process

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

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

Top 10 Things a Judge Top 10 Things a Judge ShouldShould Do Do1.1. 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 English as Recognize that some students may be shy or speak English as a second language.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 did.Ask the students about their project, not just what they did.5.5. Ask the students enough questions to satisfy yourself that Ask the students enough questions to satisfy yourself that

they understood the project – when you have reached the they understood the project – when you have reached the student’s knowledge limit, student’s knowledge limit, STOPSTOP asking questions. asking 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 ask Spend your interview time talking about yourself or ask

personal questions about the student.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 scholastic Compare to projects seen in other competitions or scholastic

events.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 particular Discuss winners or critical comments about particular

projects in places where students or parents or teachers might projects in places where students or parents or teachers might overhear.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 ProjectsScience Fair Projects look like?look like?

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

Pride in their projects and accomplishmentsPride in their projects and accomplishments Preparation for the fair and the ability to Preparation for the fair and the ability to

clearly and concisely explain their projectsclearly and concisely explain their projects Ability to answer questions about their Ability to answer questions about their

projects at levels appropriate to their grades projects at levels appropriate to their grades and agesand ages

Wide variety of project quality and Wide variety of project quality and sophistication.sophistication.

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 gadgeteering. analytical work, not just library research or gadgeteering. Be sure to take into consideration the amount of time spent Be sure to take into consideration the amount of time spent

working on the project and the amount of data collected (if it working on the project and the amount of data collected (if it is pertinent to the student’s research).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 will be abilities? We understand and expect that the students will be receiving help with their experiments, however, we want the receiving help with their experiments, however, we want the final product to be their own work.final product to be their own work.

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

Judging Team ProjectsJudging Team Projects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Judging Tips – Oral InterviewJudging Tips – Oral Interview Arrive early and plan to stay through the entire judging Arrive early and plan to stay through the entire judging

interview period.interview period. Pace yourself. Your interviews should last no longer than Pace yourself. Your interviews should last no longer than

10-12 minutes with each of the students.10-12 minutes with each of the students. For team projects, ask questions to determine whether For team projects, ask questions to determine whether eacheach

member of the team understands the project.member of the team understands the 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 Team If you are stuck on a project see your Category Team

Leader or Science Fair representative. Leader or Science Fair representative. Don’t hesitate to ask Don’t hesitate to ask questionsquestions..

Be consistent with your scoring. Don’t worry about how the Be consistent with your scoring. Don’t worry about how the other judges are scoring projects.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 have A technique I have used…used…I understand that…I understand that…

Possible Judging QuestionsPossible Judging Questions

What is the most important thing I What is the most important thing I should know about your project?should know about 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 problems?Did you run into any 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, how If you continue your project, how

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

learn?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 inforeflected background info

c. Appropriate background c. Appropriate background utilizedutilized

MethodsMethodsd. Design illustrates an d. Design illustrates an understanding of scientific methodunderstanding of scientific method

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

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

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 - GeneralJudging Form - General Score (low to high)Score (low to high)

InterviewInterview 00 11 22 33 44 55

i. Understands facts, theories, & i. Understands facts, theories, & proceduresprocedures

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

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

Creative AbilityCreative Abilityl. Approached the project with l. Approached the project with originalityoriginality

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

n. Student answered questions n. Student answered questions effectively & accuratelyeffectively & accurately

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 high)Score (low to high)

For Teams OnlyFor Teams Only 00 11 22 33 44 55

q. Tasks & contributions of each q. Tasks & contributions of each team member are clearly outlinedteam member are clearly outlined

r. Each team member was fully r. Each team member was fully involved with & familiar with all involved with & familiar with all aspects of the project.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) Score (low to high)Score (low to high)

Engineering GoalsEngineering Goals 00 11 22 33 44 55

a. Does project have clear objectivea. Does project have clear objective

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

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

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

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

Paper and DisplayPaper and Displayg. All data is understandable and clearly g. All data is understandable and clearly presentedpresented

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

Judging Form – EngineeringJudging Form – Engineering Score (low to high)Score (low to high)

InterviewInterview 00 11 22 33 44 55

i. Understands facts, theories, & i. Understands facts, theories, & proceduresprocedures

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

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

Creative AbilityCreative Abilityl. Approached the project with l. Approached the project with originalityoriginality

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

n. Student answered questions n. Student answered questions effectively & accuratelyeffectively & accurately

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) - EngJudging Form (cont) - Eng Score (low to high)Score (low to high)

For Teams OnlyFor Teams Only 00 11 22 33 44 55

q. Tasks & contributions of each q. Tasks & contributions of each team member are clearly outlinedteam member are clearly outlined

r. Each team member was fully r. Each team member was fully involved with & familiar with all involved with & familiar with all aspects of the project.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) - EngJudging Form (cont) - Eng Score (low to high)Score (low to high)

Mathematical ThoughtMathematical Thought 00 11 22 33 44 55

1. Seeks to solve a problem or answer a 1. Seeks to solve a problem or answer a question?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 of 4. Note and acknowledge limitation of the study?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 effectively 3. Limited so that it can be effectively completed?completed?

Judging Form - MathematicsJudging Form - Mathematics Score (low to high)Score (low to high)

DisplayDisplay 00 11 22 33 44 55

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

InterviewInterview 00 11 22 33 44 55

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 interpretations?3. Recognizes alternate interpretations?

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

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

After the Interview – After the Interview – Determination of Grand AwardsDetermination of Grand Awards

Grand Awards are 1Grand Awards are 1stst, 2, 2ndnd, 3, 3rdrd, and two , and two honorable mentions in each category.honorable mentions in each category.

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

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

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

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