Judging

Eastern NL Science and Technology Fair: This is an in-person fair, and projects will be presented to judges using a physical backboard. Judging sessions are 15 minutes in duration, and each project will be evaluated by two teams of judges.

Labrador, Western, and Central NL Fair: This is a virtual fair. Meetings with judges will take place using a video conferencing app. Protects will be presented as a slideshow. The use of a camera is encouraged, but not mandatory. Judging sessions are 15 minutes in duration, and each project will be evaluated by one team of judges.

Preparation Recommendations

Prepare an oral presentation that is five to ten minutes long. It should be an overview of why you chose this project, what you expected to find (the hypothesis), how you completed the project and what you found (the results). If you worked with a partner each person should present about half of the oral presentation. Try to put your presentation in your own words and don’t simply read directly from your slideshow or backboard. You can, however, use it as as prompt to keep your focused and as a reminder of what to say next.

The remainder of your fifteen-minute judging time block should be used to answer the judges’ questions. You should expect questions on sources or error, what you would do differently, what can be done to expand on the project in the future, and how your findings are useful to everyday life. Sometimes judges ask questions which you are unsure of the correct answer to. Likely the judge knows the answer and they are testing the depth of your knowledge. You should admit that you don’t know the answer and will look into it. Also, if you can answer the question, don’t be afraid to elaborate. Pretend it’s a conversation with a friend. The more a judge can sense you are comfortable taking about your project the higher you will score.

If you project is a continuation (i.e., Phase 2) from a previous year please have your previous logbook/results on hand for the judges. We also suggest you include this in your title.

If there is time left at the end of the judging session, you could ask the judges for feedback on how you can improve the project.

Evaluation Form (Rubric)

The judges will use the following rubric to score your project.