JUDGE FAQs 

Why Judge?

• Support local students! The Science Fair fosters the next generation of scientists and engineers and offers local students the opportunity to hone their science skills.  As a judge, you play an inspirational role and often, learn along with the student.

• We have SNACKS! We appreciate our community members taking time out of their busy days to support our local students. All judges are welcome to join us at the start of the day for coffee, tea, and refreshments (i.e. croissants, fruit, muffins, etc.). We also provide a packed lunch for judges to enjoy while tallying final marks.

• School Credit! Trent students can add Judging to their Co-Curricular Record! Visit: https://www.trentu.ca/currentstudents/work-lead/co-curricular-record  for more info.

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I’m not a scientist; can I be a judge?

• YES! Science fair is for everyone! The students are encouraged to communicate their projects to judges, regardless of their background. You don’t need a PhD to be a judge! Everyone is welcome!

 

Can I pick what age group or scientific area I judge?

• When filling out the Judge’s Registration form, you will be asked about your age group and subject area preference, and your education background. Our Chief Judge uses this information to create judging teams. We try our best to fit judges with their preference, however due to the number of judges, participants, and project, this is not always possible. We thank you for your understanding.

 

When and where does judging take place?

• 8 AM - Judges will arrive at Trent University and proceed to the bottom of Science Complex room 137 to sign in and receive their judging team assignments. Meet your team and grab a snack. Our Chief Judge will welcome you and provide morning instructions before judging begins.

• 9-11:30 AM - Judges will be provided with a schedule of project locations and judging times. Following this schedule, judges will find projects in the Environmental Science Building and the Chemical Science Building, before returning to SC137.

• 11:30 AM-1PM - Judges will meet with their teams, discuss their evaluations, and fill out the provided forms. A team leader will be selected to ensure forms are completed, and if your team is judging Junior, Intermediate, and/or Senior, that leader will stay for the CWSF selection meeting with the CWSF judging team and Chief Judge from 1-2PM.

• If you cannot make these times, but would like to support our fair, feel free to contact us for other volunteer opportunities.

 

What should I look for when judging?

• Great question! Check out our Judging Workshop PDF and Project Mark Tally Form PDF linked on the Judges registration page and attend the in-person Judging workshop where our Chief Judge will walk you through what to expect and do on fair day. You can also visit the “Awards Results” page to check out the online project boards from past PRSF and CWSF winners.

 

Do I get to keep my lanyard?

• Please return your lanyard and holder after judging is complete so that we may reuse them next year, but feel free to keep the paper as a memento of your time at the fair! Please also return any other borrowed materials such as clipboards and pens.