| 1. Every student will be interviewed by as many members of the judging team as possible. Input from several judges allows a more thorough evaluation than does input from just one or two judges. |
| 2. The judging experience can be best achieved when judges conduct individual interviews. Ribbon judges should not 'team judge' a student. |
| 3. You should allot the student from 10 to 15 minutes. Use this time to evaluate the student's project carefully. Budget your time so that each student's project is covered as completely as possible. |
| 4. JUDGES SHOULD NOT COMPLETE SCORING EVALUATIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF STUDENTS. As often as possible, write comments to the student about positive aspects of the research and places where you think this project could be expanded. |
| 5. When your judging team reconvenes, you should have no more than one ribbon-level difference in scores. If you need to go back to a student to resolve a conflict, then do so. If you need to change a score, write up a new sheet rather than allow the student to see erasures. Do not allow a forceful judge on your team to alter your score…otherwise the student will only have been judged by one person rather than the entire team. |
| 6. Keep in mind that projects are junior and senior high-school level, not Ph.D. or professional levels. Judges should use an encouraging tone when asking questions or offering suggestions. A judge should never destructively criticize, treat lightly, or display boredom toward projects they personally consider unimportant. Always give credit to the student for having expended the effort to present a project. |
| 7. Compare projects only with those in the same competition, and not with projects seen elsewhere under other circumstances. |
| 8. Sometimes a judge may determine that certain exhibits are not within their areas of competency. If this happens, the judge should ask the judging coordinator to find a judge from another team to fill in. Some exhibits may require interdisciplinary judging (a botany project that uses a lot of mathematics), and judges may want to request assistance at this time. |
| 9. Please be discreet when discussing projects outside of the judging room. Students or adult escorts may overhear you. |
| 10. All judging sheets, with comments, will be turned in at the completion of judging and will be given to the student competitors. |
| 11. Remember that this program is an extension of the learning process that was started in classrooms around the state. Your first obligation to the student is as a teacher; your second role is as an evaluator |
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| Adopted by MJAS Board - October 9, 1994 |
