Category Judges
Each student enters a project in a specific category at the current grade level. Each category in every grade level is judged to select the first, second, and third place winners for that group of projects. These groups can range from 2-8 STEM professionals, depending on the number of projects entered into each category. These Category Judges collaborate to award the top prizes in our fair.
Judges follow the regular Fair Day schedule which begins at 8:00 AM. After brief introductions, judges will meet with their Grade Level Fair Coordinators to receive assignments and supplies. Judges review project displays in the morning. Around noon, the students arrive and join their projects for the interview portion of judging. Once the winners are selected, the lead judge submits the proper forms while the other judges complete Student Feedback forms.
In order to support a fair and accurate judging process, this DVSF form outlines the criteria and point values to assist the category judges with evaluating projects.
The most valuable part of the student's DVSF experience is the interaction with STEM professionals. In addition to the interview, every student receives written feedback. Your encouragement and respectful critique on specific aspects of their work guide them as they navigate their next STEM experiences.