1	49th CSRA Science & Engineering Fair 2004-2005 Judge & Head Judge Training
2	CSRA Science & Engineering Fair
3	Science Fair Schedule
4	Local Fair Overview • Judged by Volunteers and organizations from within the CSRA • 2004 CSRA Science & Engineering Fair Handbook: + The Scientific Method (What & How) + Judging Criteria (Emphasis on Use) + Entry Rules (Strict Compliance to Regional) • Site Judge Coordinator and State School Coordinators for SC and GA • We follow rules from www.sciserv.org
5	Role of Parent • Provide guidance and support (e.g., technical assistance, grammar, spelling, typing, suggest resources/ acquisition of materials; transportation) • Children MUST do the work and provide the thoughts - When in doubt, ask the coordinator to locate a teacher familiar with the child’s work • Primary purpose of Science Fair = Learning • Secondary purpose of Science Fair = Award • At the 2003 Regional Fair, approximately $9000 in prizes were awarded.
6	Role of School Coordinator • May make additional judging requests • Available for consultation RE: special projects • Provides technical assistance • Completes award certificates
7	Mission of Judges • Provide Professional, Independent Judging (Judge Team has Final Authority) • Select 1st (Regional Entrants), 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention Award Winners • Record/Return Award Information • Learn, Make New Friends, Promote Science Excellence and the impression science doesn’t have to be terribly difficult (it can be fun)
8	Judging Guidance • CSRA Science & Engineering Fair Handbook + The Scientific Method (What & How) + Judging Criteria • Head Judge • Local School Coordinator • Judging Team Member Responsibilities • Fair Award Guidelines
9	Role of Head Judge • Selected on basis of previous experience • Maintains contact with school coordinator • Will receive Head Judge packet containing: + Guidelines/worksheets for judging projects + Awards (ribbons, certificates) + Regional fair information + CSRA Science & Engineering Fair handbook (if needed) + Variety of forms (winner records, feedback, etc.)
10	Role of Judge Team Members • Be familiar with rules in this training packet • Judge fairly, consistently; Use guidelines • Read the project reports • Cooperate with the head judge • Discuss/resolve differing viewpoints • Exhibit professionalism (attitude & dress) • Use post-it notes for positive comments/recommendations • Arrive promptly; show up or arrange for substitution
11	What Happens if the Judges Don’t Show Up? • Affects the quality of the project judging • Difficult/impossible to find replacements at the last minute • Requires attending judges to stay over • Creates frustration for judges • Each Judging Team is already beginning with a minimum # of judges (target is 20-25 projects per judge)
12	Types of Science Fair Projects • Experimental Investigation (The Scientific Method) • Engineering or Math Project (The Scientific Method) - “Which laminated beam design is strongest” - “Extending a 2D theorem into multiple Dimensions” • Other Types (without use of Scientific Method): - Report - “This is how the sun works” - Information/Brochure Display - “The lung and its diseases” - Survey - “The types and numbers of trees in my yard” - Model - “The planets and their orbits” - Demonstration - “The potato and lemon batteries”
13	Element Definitions Purpose: Reason for the experiment Hypothesis: Prediction of the results Procedure: Method of the experiment - includes materials used, variables and step by step directions Results: Organized data from the experiment Conclusion: Support of hypothesis or explanation of non-support Log Book: Includes the Problem Statement, Hypothesis, Plan, Library Research, Data Collected, Results, and Conclusions --- should not be typed! Formal Report: Includes the Title Page, Table of Contents, Abstract, Purpose, Hypothesis, Background, Materials and Procedure, Results and Conclusions, Bibliography, & Acknowledgments
14	Scientific Method Elements
15	Major Judging Criteria Criterion Brief Description Score Wt.
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17	Engineering and Math Projects From the ISEF Category Descriptions: Engineering: Technology: projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses Mathematics: Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these principles - calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistics, complex analysis, probability
18	Elements of Engineering and Math Projects • Must still follow the majority of the Scientific Method For Scientific Thought, consider or substitute: -Does the project have a clear objective? -Is the objective relevant to the potential user’s needs? -Is the solution workable? acceptable to the potential user? economically feasible? -Could the solution be utilized successfully in design or construction of an end product? -Is the solution a significant improvement over previous alternatives? -Has the solution been tested for performance under the conditions of use? • Must clearly state the purpose and conclusions -Formal Report must state and support how or why the project is better than or improves upon existing methods
19	Question 1. Which Project is Better?
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23	Suggested Process for Local Science Fair Judging
24	Awards and Certificates • Percentages of Awards (Guideline) 1st Place (4-8) 3-4% of Projects 1st Place (9-12) No Guideline - all deserving projects may receive a first place 2nd Place (4-12) 6% of Projects 3rd Place (4-12) 8% of Projects Honorable Mention 10% of Projects
25	Awards and Certs. (continued) • When requested, we will judge grades K-3 and provide ribbons and certificates • All 1st place winners from Grades 4-12 are invited to the CSRA Regional Fair - The School Coordinator receives a form, a copy of which must be completed for each student • Do not fill out the award certificates and do not leave ribbons on the projects (Leave them with the School Coordinator)
26	The Judging and Award Process • Do not leave any judging sheets, notes or other materials at the school -- very important! • Do leave positive comments/recommendations for ALL projects: Do not make verbal disparaging comments • Do leave suggestions for improvement, especially for 1st place projects going on to regional Fair • Do be alert to unsafe displays or projects - remember that many schools will hold an open house to view the projects. Bring patently unsafe conditions and projects which endangered the child or his subject(s) to the attention of the Head Judge.
27	The Judging and Award Process (continued) • Do check that the proper forms have been completed, not just for 1st place projects but especially for projects involving animals, chemicals or people doing potentially dangerous things. Notify the coordinator if there is a serious problem with the display or a pattern is noticed. We do NOT generally disqualify a project from advancing to Regional on the basis of a lack of forms unless there is a safety problem that cannot be remedied • Return the award list, the local science fair summary report form and non-distributed ribbons and certificates to the persons listed on the HJ checklist
28	Criteria for Regional Fair • All 1st place winners invited to Regional Fair • Regional projects must have: + Display + Logbook + Formal Report + Forms
29	Thank You in Advance Thank you for your commitment and volunteer service in being a local CSRA Science Fair Judge. The CSRA Science Fair Program receives both approval and support from WSRC, DOE, and Businesses and Individuals in the CSRA. Your participation in this community service activity reflects positively upon the your Employer and demonstrates concern for our students’ science education. Questions? Please contact a Science Fair Coordinator: SC/GA State School Coordinator: Greg Flach (803) 725-5195 gregory.flach@srs.gov Judging Coordinators: GA: Shelia McFalls (803) 952-6819 SC: Deborah Eubanks (803) 725-8377