Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair

Would you like to judge a science fair?

Science Fair judges are frequently surprised and delighted by the quality of work these engaged and motivated students produce. Our fair needs judges in a wide variety of science and engineering categories. The full list of categories, and sub-categories, can be found on the Categories tab by clicking here.

Please register as early as possible starting February 1, 2025. This will help us make sure we have enough judges in each category and schedule the live sessions in time to notify everyone. 

Objectives of the fair & the judging process

1. Encourage students’ pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
2. Showcase students’ science and engineering research.
3. Excite students about returning to next year’s science fair.

Judge Qualifications

For the Category Round, judges should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree as well as at least 2-years of graduate school or several years relevant work experience. Educators in higher education STEM fields and professional researchers/scientists/engineers, current graduate students, school psychologists, social workers, physicians, registered nurses, and EPA and DEA professionals meet this qualification.

Grand Award: In the Grand Award Round, judges should hold a doctoral/professional degree that directly relates to research in the category that they are judging or a master’s degree with significant years of experience. 

General Information 

• The Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair will be held in-person at The Bolick Center on PVCC's campus.
• The fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 8:00-4:00 EST.
• Judging will take place in categories across many fields of science and engineering..
• For those adults who work closely with science fair competitors, either as their parents, teachers/administrators in their schools, or mentors of their research, we ask that you please excuse yourself from judging any assigned science fair projects that may present a conflict of interest. Judges are asked to recuse themselves from any projects where they do not feel they can fairly assess a student project.
• Judges will have about 3 – 10 projects to interview. Science fair projects are assessed during a brief, but guided, conversation, with students presenting a concise summation, and answering pointed questions asked by judges. Some of the criteria used in scoring their projects include: 

1. How independently the student(s) worked in the current year of research done 
2. How well the student(s) followed scientific, engineering, computer programming, or mathematical methodologies 
3. The details and accuracy of the research 
4. Whether experimental procedures were used in the best possible way 
5. Creativity and originality in research questions, materials, methodologies, or analysis/interpretation of the data. 
6. The ability of the student(s) to clearly and effectively communicate their research

• In some cases, Special Awards Judges will also interview students.​

​​​​​​Make this an educational and motivating experience for every young researcher!! The high point of the fair for most students will be YOUR judging interviews. Encourage all the participants! Judges represent professional authority to students. So, use an encouraging tone when asking questions, offering suggestions, or giving constructive criticism. Do NOT criticize, treat lightly or act bored toward projects that seem unimportant to you. THE PROJECT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE STUDENT. Thank him/her for their hard work and accomplishments.