Science fair · fair night
Judging the fair with codes, not names
Checked · v0.2.0
Give every project an entry code (A1, A2… a letter for each grade band). Each judge scores by code on their own phone, the 6-row rubric out of 24; you gather their cards, and the tally averages each entry's judges, ranks within each band and shows ties without breaking them. It runs on your device; no child's name and no score is ever sent.
Fair night, step by step
- Codes. Set the letters (one a grade band) and how many entries each, then print the key and write each child's name beside their code. The key stays on paper. Put the code on a table tent by each board: judges' printables prints them, with the judges' sign-up sheet and schedule.
- Judges. Each judge scans their own QR code with their phone's camera. It opens a judge card already set up for this fair. They tap a code, tap 1 to 4 on each row, and pick one line for the child if they like. Their scores stay on their phone, saved on every tap.
- Gathering the scores. At the end, each judge sends their file (AirDrop, a message or email: their choice) and you open it here, or they show you their lines and you type them in. A judge who scores the same entry again replaces their own earlier score; the other judges' scores stay.
- Places. Each entry's place is by the average of the judges who scored it, so an entry seen by two judges is not behind one seen by three. A tie shares the place and is never broken by the tally: that is the judges' call.
- Paper and the end. Print the results by band, certificates with the code and the place (you write the name), and ribbons to cut out: 1st to 3rd in each band, ties shared, and a blank ribbon in every band for best question, clearest data, best board, most curious scientist. Then clear everything from the device when the night is done. Save a file first if you will want the numbers next year.
The rubric on the judge card
| Row | 4 looks like | 1 looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Question | Testable: one thing changed, one thing measured | A topic or a demonstration, nothing tested |
| Method | Controls named and kept; three or more tries a level | Changed several things at once, or one try |
| Data | A clear table with units, means where expected, a graph | No numbers, or numbers with no table |
| Conclusion | Uses the numbers; honest when the hypothesis was wrong | Restates the hypothesis, no numbers |
| Board | In order, readable from a step back, the child's own words | Hard to follow, or a grown-up's words |
| Interview | Explains the test and the results in their own words | Can't say what was changed or measured |
The lines a judge can leave for the child: “A great question, and you tested it”, “Your table and graph were clear”, “You explained it in your own words”, “You were honest about what surprised you”, “Next time: test each level three times or more”, “Next time: keep everything else the same”, “Next time: put the units on your numbers”, “Next time: use your numbers in the conclusion”. They print beside each entry on the results, by code.
Planning the fair itself? The fair organizer makes the timeline, the letter home and a paper rubric, and Peabody the judge lets children practise the questions before the night.