1. Judging and Being Judged
Allen R. Atkins, PhD
Head Judge
Nov 19, 2014

2. Agenda Criteria Preparation Day of Judgment Commercial Display Board
Tips
Questions
Commercial

3. Criteria

4. Preparation Communications Speaking in clear articulate Voice
Planning and Practice an Elevator Speech
Grab the Judge
Pique Interest
Not Very Long
Introductory and Ice Breaking
Presentation
5-10 Minutes of Describing Project
Why, When, What, How, Where
Practice – Practice – Practice

5. Preparation (cont.) Know Your Material Front to Back
Develop List of Questions That “Might” Be Asked
Solicit “Judges”
Parents
Teachers
Fellow Students
Ask For Feedback and Improvement
Ask For Questions

6. Display Board Flow of Material Clear Concise
Highlight Significant Points
Large Print
Color
Catchy: Attention Grabbing
Use the 3 Foot Rule
Don’t Clutter The Display Area

7. Tips Make sure to convey important information Get Started Immediately
Don’t Ignore Questions
Practice Tone of Presentation
Don’t Let Silence Reign
Talk about Progress Not Just Product
Check Google For Science Fair Tips (>3 Mil)
Check website

8. Tips (cont.) Dress Appropriately Use Layman Terms Act/Be Confident
Speak Up
Be Courteous
Be Interested
Smile

9. Questions Where did you get this idea?
How did you come up with this title?
What research did you do?
What was your hypothesis?
Why did you think that would happen?
What were your independent and dependent variables?
What was your control?
What did you measure and how?
How did you calculate that result?

10. Questions (cont.)
Why did you choose that amount, (or measurement, or piece of equipment, etc.)?
How did you replicate the experiment?
What does that graph tell you?
How variable were your results and what might explain the variability?
What did you base that conclusion on?
Why/How are your findings important?
Who might want to know this information?
What would be the next experiment you would do?
What was the hardest part (or most fun, or most exciting, or most surprising, etc.)?
Who helped you?
If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you would do differently?

11. Questions (cont.) Do You Have Any Questions For Me or Us?
Great Opportunity
Have One or Two Requests
Get Business Card or Address
Have Something To Write With and On

12. Commercial Judges Solicitation Criterion Willing to Meet before Fair
Prefer PhD and/6+ Years of Science/Engineering Experience
Willing to provide resume or write up and picture
Could be parent or friend or acquaintance
Willing to Meet before Fair
Contact Vineeta Ribeiro, Pam Pulver, or Allen Atkins
Go to and complete forms

13. Questions ?