Preparation for Judges

  1. Instructions for Divisional Award Judges
  2. Instructions for Special Award Judges
  3. Briefing for Divisional Award Judges
  4. Briefing for Special Award Judges
  5. Tips for a Good Judging Experience

Instructions for Divisional Award Judges

Before the Science Fair

On Science Fair Day

  • Come to the auditorium at 8:45 am
  • Find your folder and name badge.
  • Sit near your Division Chief in the auditorium.
  • Attend the Judging Briefing by the Chief Judge.
  • If you are judging as a member of a pair of judges, the Division Chief may ask you to replace a missing judge.
  • Judge your projects from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
  • Meet with the other judges on your team at one table. You have each judged the same 6 (or fewer) projects.
  • Enter your individual rankings on the Exhibit Ranking Sheet.
  • Discuss to determine final rankings.
  • Decide on awards: Gold, Silver, Bronze Medals. Are any of these projects possible Canada Wide Science Fair candidates?
  • Thank you for contributing your time to encourage Canada’s next generation of young scientists.

Instructions for Special Award Judges

Before the Science Fair

At the Science Fair

  • Meet in your judging room at 8:45 am.
  • Introduce yourself, the award you are judging, and it’s age category.
  • View the Judging Briefing for Special Award Judges.
  • Identify any other judges who are judging the same award.
  • Review the Share the Wealth rules. These pairs of awards must be awarded to different students.
    • Children’s Museum Award and the London Public Library Award.
    • Research Western Award and the Western Engineering Summer Academy.
    • Engineers Choice Award and the IEEE Award.
  • If you are judging as a pair, the Special Award Chair may ask you to replace a missing judge for another award.
  • Judge your projects from 9:30 – 11:30 am
  • Meet in your judging room to review your results and give your final decision to the Special Award Chief.
  • Thank you for contributing your time to encourage Canada’s next generation of young scientists.

Briefing for Divisional Award Judges

Powerpoint               pdf

Briefing for Special Award Judges

Powerpoint               pdf

Tips to ensure the exhibitors and you have a successful judging experience.

  • Introduce yourself – where do you come from, what do you do. Ask the students likewise.
  • Ask them what grade they are in. You might be surprised.
  • Ask questions in an upbeat and positive manner, remembering that these are elementary and high school projects, not MSc or PhD candidates.
  • The interview by Division Judges must last for 15 minutes. The students have worked very hard, and even the weakest exhibit is entitled to a full and rewarding interview.
  • Finish by telling the students how much you have enjoyed your time with them, and find two things about their presentation to praise.
  • Leave five minutes to fill in the Judge’s Marking Sheet.
  • Do not comment in any public area on any exhibit where an exhibitor or parent can hear you. The competition is intense, and rumours abound.
  • If you find an exhibit that you are unqualified to judge, or in which you have a conflict of interest, please inform your Category & Division Chief immediately.

PLEASE KEEP TO TIME!

Download these tips in pdf format