Judging Orientation 58 th Annual DRSEF

Agenda 1) Organization 2) Scoring 3) Conduct

Organization: Michael Hoye DRSEF is affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which entails millions of projects worldwide Our region includes Dallas county plus 7 additional surrounding counties There are approximately 1,000 students at DRSEF today, all of whom won at their school and/or district fairs Today’s winners advance to the State Science and Engineer Fair; Grand Prize winners advance to ISEF

Two Kinds of Judges Science Category Judges Determine category winners Special Award Judges Determine donor organization’s prize winner Red Ribbon Blue Ribbon

Divisions and Categories Projects divided into: Junior Division (6-8 grade) Senior Division (9-12 grade) Divisions are divided into science categories: Animal Science (AS) Plant Science (PS) Etc. Some smaller categories have been combined

JUDGE GROUPS Each group is numbered and interviews students in a particular Division / Category Each group must have a Captain Aim for at least 3 judges per group Large categories have more than one judge group and will need a 2 nd round of judging

Rounds 9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm Round 1 – Interviews Lunch Buffet Round 2

Captain’s BLUE results sheet:  Your group is one of several for the category.  Pick top 3 projects, suggest Honorable Mention Captain’s ORANGE results sheet:  Your group is the only one for the category  Rank winners and select Honorable Mention Captains submit Round 1 results and all score sheets to judge check-in by 12:30pm Round 1 Results

Round 2 required if more than one judging group in the category Captains meet at judge check-in after Round 1 to collect results sheets for Round 2 Compare projects across groups, rank winners, and select Honorable Mentions Round 2 Results Submit Round 2 results to judge check- in by 1:30pm

Scoring: Nathan Eaton Complete score sheet for each project Use scores as basis for discussion Note: different score sheets are used for Engineering Categories (EE, EN, ET, & EM) vs Science Categories (the rest)

Each judge interviews every project in the group Only one judge at a project at one time Ask many and detailed questions Scoring Budget 8-10 minutes for each project Complete evaluations away from the students

Teams:  Include all members in the interview  Reduce presentation score if any absent Displayed forms for some projects:  Form 1C (work done in an institution) Only judge student’s own work  Form 7 (continuation from last year) Only judge this year’s work Scoring

Conduct: Richard Cohen Consider age, maturity, knowledge. These are children, not graduates! Be respectful and encouraging. Interviews are highlight of the students’ fair. Students take this competition seriously. Try to put them at ease.

Judging Don’ts Don’t ask about parents or school Don’t judge someone you know Don’t ignore weak projects Don’t criticize harshly Don’t discuss your judging process with students, parents, or teachers later

Captains’ Responsibilities Leadership in discussion, consensus building, & accuracy Arbitrate differences of opinion MAINTAIN THE TIMETABLE

Captains’ Responsibilities Return Round 1 results and all score sheets by 12:30pm Meet with other Captains in category for Round 2 (if needed). Another group member can substitute. Return Round 2 results by 1:30pm

Special Thanks to fair sponsors

Projects and results will be on public display today 5:30 – 6:30 pm Thank You!!! Any questions?

Which group needs a captain? Which group needs more judges? Do NOT move yet! Fred Olness