Students
THE JUDGING
The judges will look for: creative ability, scientific thought and approach to the work, thoroughness, skill, clarity and teamwork.
Your project will be judged at least three times by three different judges, once on the Wednesday and twice on the Thursday. Before each judging session you will be given an appointment card which will indicate the approximate time the judge will arrive at your stand. Please be patient as your judge may be delayed while judging another project. The judges can only spend approximately 15 minutes at your stand, so be prepared when they arrive. They will ask you to tell them about your project and then move on to more specific questions. Make sure any mobile phones are turned off during the judging times.
Judges evaluate and focus on:
- What you did in the current year
- How well you followed the scientific methodologies
- The detail and accuracy of research as documented in your Report book and Notebook
- Whether experimental procedures were used in the best possible way
- Judges look for well thought out research. They look at how significant your project is in its field, as well as how thorough you were. Did you leave something out?
Did you start with four experiments and finish only three?
Good communication
Judges applaud those students who can speak freely and confidently about their work. They are not interested in memorised speeches - they simply want to talk with you about your research to see if you have a good grasp of your project from start to finish. Besides asking the obvious questions, judges often ask questions to test your insight into your projects such as ‘What was your role?’ ‘What didn’t you do?’ and ‘What would be your next step?’
Remember a little enthusiasm goes a long way!
The elements of your project
• Project Report Book, Summary/Abstract (included in Report Book)
• Project Diary
• Visual Display
TIPS FROM THE JUDGES:
