Info for Judges

Volunteer Judges Wanted!               

VDSF owes its success to its volunteers. We are especially grateful to our amazing judges for lending their time and giving valuable feedback to our students, who consistently cite their conversations with judges as the highlight of their VDSF experience.

Although each judge submits their own evaluations, they work in teams of 2 – 3 based on their common area of expertise. Judging at VDSF is a great way to meet other STEM enthusiasts or do something fun with a friend or colleague!

We look forward to catching up with returning judges and welcoming new ones. No prior judging experience is necessary, but prospective judges should:

  • hold at least an undergraduate degree in STEM and/or be currently employed in a STEM field

  • be comfortable interacting with Grade 7 – 12 students

  • be comfortable appearing on camera and being recorded (for virtual judges)

NOTE: We are always in need of judges who can evaluate projects in French.

VANCOUVER DISTRICT SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING

NOTE: VDSF 2024 is a hybrid fair. Students participate in both in-person and virtual judging, while judges select the mode best suited to their location and/or availability.

 

In-person judging at Langara College

DATE: Friday, March 1, 2024

PLACE: Langara College gymnasium

TIME: 4:00PM – 8:00PM (dinner at 5:40PM – 6:10PM)

NOTE: In-person judges evaluate 12 projects (10 minutes per project) over the course of the evening. They may indicate a preference to spread out their scheduled sessions or group them within the first or latter half of the evening.

 

Virtual judging on Microsoft Teams

DATE: Monday, Feb. 26 to Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024

TIME(S): 8:40AM – 11:40AM / 2:00PM – 5:00PM / 6:00PM – 9:00PM 

Virtual judges are expected to be available for at least 1 hour within a timeslot, not for its full duration.

NOTE: Virtual judges evaluate 12 projects (15 minutes per project) over the course of the week. They may indicate a preference to schedule all their judging sessions on the same day or in a specific timeslot.

 

[Last updated: January 21, 2024]

How to register as a judge

Judge registration opens:  November 30, 2023 12:00:00AM
Judge registration closes:  February 16, 2024 11:59:59PM

Register online here: VDSF 2024 Judges Registration form 

NOTE: Please register using your professional / school e-mail address instead of your personal address, where possible.

  1. Complete the VDSF 2024 Judges Registration Form to indicate your availability and area of expertise.
  2. If you need to make any changes, re-submit the form again. Only the most recent entry will be used for scheduling.
  3. Registration closes February 16, 2024. All confirmed judges will be e-mailed with further instructions. If your availability changes after this date, please e-mail the Chief Judge (vdsf.judges@vsb.bc.ca) directly.

 

[Last updated: Aug. 31, 2023]

Resources for Judges 

VDSF judging rubrics 

NOTE: All judges receive copies of these forms but virtual judges submit their scores and comments via online forms while in-person judges submit paper forms.

VDSF judges orientation sessions

Judges orientations are offered 1 – 2 weeks before the fair. Depending on the number of new judges, this may take the form of a live session conducted over Microsoft Teams or a pre-recorded session that judges can view on their own time. Meeting details and links will be e-mailed to confirmed judges after registration closes.

NEW FOR VDSF 2024: All confirmed judges will be e-mailed the following

  1. meeting link to online orientation session on Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00PM — recommended for new judges
  2. links to Judges’s orientation videos (Intro to VDSF and Virtual vs. F2F)

[Last updated: Feb. 17, 2024]

New to VDSF or need more information? Send inquiries to vdsfjudges@vsb.bc.ca