Regional and State Science Fair organizers ask the USMA for judges to evaluate projects for the USMA’s Metric Award.
It is often not possible to satisfy these requests. It is usually the case that there is not a science fair where there is a willing volunteer or there is not volunteer where a science fair is being held.
However, when USMA members express an interest in judging, the association tries to put them in touch with science fairs in their area. Any USMA member willing to volunteer for this effort may contact the USMA Science Fair Award coordinator.
All arrangements are then made between the volunteer and the fair director. The director automatically receives the award Instruction Packet each year, which includes the Science Fair Judging Guide, which is provided to each judge.
There are good reasons for USMA members to volunteer for this work. First and foremost is the fact that a USMA member is much more likely to be well versed in the modern SI metric system than other judges that the local fair might recruit. In addition, however, it is sometimes the case that the regional fair does not have enough local judges for all the awards that are given. They might, therefore, not give the Metric Award unless a USMA member volunteers to judge specifically for it.
Volunteers who judge may also be given the opportunity (but are not obligated) to present the metric award to the winner at the fair’s awards ceremony. The presentation permits the judge to put in a word or two to promote the metric system before an interested audience of students, teachers, and parents. (The judge is not given the opportunity to make a speech, however.)
USMA members who judge for the Metric Award may also be asked by the fair officials to carry out other judging duties. They are not required to do so but may if they wish.
Science Fair Award coordinator
The USMA Science Fair Award program coordinator’s information can be found on the officers page.
Science Fair Judging Guide
The two-page Science Fair Judging Guide is located at the end of the Instruction Packet (PDF).
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