Judge

Judge

Encourage young researchers and innovators by being a judge at MSSF! Our judges come from a variety of backgrounds and each one brings their own unique experiences and perspectives to the event. We truly could not do this without you!

SCHEDULE for the 2025 MSSF

Saturday, March 29, 2025 | University of New England, Portland Campus

Innovation Hall, 772 Stevens Avenue, Portland

Judges should arrive at Innovation Hall between 7:30 and 8:00 am.

Judges will meet their judging teams, receive their judging materials, and get an on-site overview of the day.

Half of the projects will be judged from 9:00 to 10:15. Judges will approach students at their posters, who will describe their projects and then answer questions.

Judges get a chance to recharge while the second group of students prepares for their judging round.

The remaining projects will be judged from 10:45 to 12:00. Judges will approach students at their posters, who will describe their projects and then answer questions.

Judges will get lunch and discuss their assigned projects with their judging teams.

Category judges will submit their ballots by 1:00 in preparation for special awards and grand awards determinations.

Lead judges will discuss projects nominated for ISEF to determine which three projects would represent Maine at the international competition in May.

We’ll gather back in Innovation Hall to celebrate the day.

EXPECTATIONS

The Maine State Science Fair is recruiting judges across all project categories. 

  • Animal Sciences
  • Behavioral and Social Sciences
  • Biological Sciences and Engineering
  • Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • Chemistry and Materials
  • Computer Science
  • Energy and Transportation
  • Earth and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
  • Engineering Mechanics
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Microbiology
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Plant Science
MSSF Judges must have advanced training or practical experience in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or an associated field. Judges must engage in constructive analysis and discussion of a research or engineering project with a high school student and determine the relative strengths and weaknesses of a given project according to a standard rubric. Judges must be highly collaborative and able to work in small groups.  In addition to evaluating projects, judges also serve as informal mentors, providing useful feedback, advice, and encouragement to all students.

If you have questions, please email sciencefair@mmsa.org

APPLICATION

Apply by March 1, 2025 to be a judge at Maine State Science Fair!

All judges are invited to our online orientation session on Thursday, March 13 from 3:00 to 3:30 PM.

Judging will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 8am to 1pm.

Help us recruit more judges by sharing our flyer! 

Flyer to recruit judges

RUBRICS

Judges assess student work using the International Science & Engineering Fair criteria. There are two rubrics for judging at MSSF: one for scientific research projects and the other for engineering design projects.

VIDEOS