The Intel ISEF 2010 Host Committee is looking for over 1000 Grand Awards Judges to interact with the student finalists and judge their projects in the categories listed below. Judging will take place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12, 2010 (see below for times).

To returning Intel ISEF Judges: WELCOME BACK! You may wish to apply here.

If you are "new" to Intel ISEF, please read the information below. The Judges Application link is found at the bottom of this page.

Judging Categories

• Animal Sciences
• Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth and Planetary Science
• Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical
• Energy and Transportation
• Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering
• Environmental Management
• Environmental Science
• Mathematical Sciences
• Medicine and Health
• Microbiology
• Physics and Astronomy
• Plant Sciences
• Team Projects (these judges are appointed)

Qualifications of a Grand Awards Judge

Grand Awards Judges must have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent (D.O., Ed.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) OR a minimum of six years related professional experience beyond receiving their B.A., B.S., or Master's degree. Judges may include university faculty and scientists, engineers and scientists, representatives of private and federal research centers and agencies, and medical researchers. Individuals NOT ELIGIBLE to serve as Intel ISEF Judges are science fair directors, Intel ISEF Official Party members, or practicing elementary, secondary or high school teachers. Parents or research mentors of student finalists are not eligible to judge in the same category in which the student with whom they have a relationship is competing.

Grand Awards Judges must be available Tuesday, May 11, and Wednesday, May 12, 2010.* Registration for Grand Awards Judges is on Tuesday, May 11 from 1pm to 5:00pm. During the afternoon, Category CoChairs will be available to answer questions, and you may preview the projects in your category (students not present). Starting from about 5:30pm you will receive training sessions on the judging process and on the "caucus" sessions, where the winners in your Category will be determined. During these training sessions, you will have opportunities to ask questions. Judges receive their specific judging assignments between 8:00 and 8:30 pm Tuesday evening. The rest of the evening, until about 10:30 pm, may be spent reviewing assigned projects without the student finalist present. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

On Wednesday, plan to be at the San Jose Convention Center from 7:30am to at least 8:30pm. Each Grand Awards Judge will conduct eight to fourteen 15-minute interviews with finalists in their category across seventeen scheduled interview periods. From 4:00 pm until about 8:30 pm (or until finished), Grand Awards Judges will caucus within their Category area to decide on the finalist awards. The awards are: Best of Category Award of $5,000, First Award of $3,000, Second Award of $1,500, Third Award of $1,000, Fourth Award of $500. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. A Judge's Thank You event will be held in the evening after the winners of each Category are determined.

*Due to the structure of the judging process, Grand Awards Judges must be available the entire periods on Tuesday, May 11 from at least 4:30pm to 10:30pm, and on Wednesday, May 12 from at least 7:30am to 8:30pm. It is not possible to miss any of these time periods on these days (all meals are provided!).

Why should you consider volunteering as a Grand Awards Judge?

• Support the sciences and engineering. The finalists are among the brightest and highly motivated aspiring young minds in the world and represent the next generation of leading scientists and engineers.
• Be involved with the excitement of high school students from 53 countries presenting their science projects.
• Give back to your profession/discipline.
• If from an academic institution, earn community service or outreach credit towards tenure and promotion.
• A great deal of personal satisfaction and inspiration from these motivated future scientists and engineers
• It is a great reason and time of year to visit San Jose – bring your spouse and kids, a colleague, or friend.

Travel and Other Expenses

The San Jose Host Committee will raise money to cover the cost of putting on the fair in San Jose: students are supported to attend by their local or regional Intel ISEF-affiliated chapters.

Due to the high expense required to host the Fair, Intel ISEF 2010 is not able to cover the travel and lodging expenses of Judges. We hope you will be able to find other sources of support to allow you to serve as a Judge (some institutions and companies will fund travel to Intel ISEF). Transit passes for VTA Light Rail or parking passes will be made available to Judges. Meals will be provided for Judges on Tuesday, May 11 (lunch, dinner) and on Wednesday, May 12 (breakfast, lunch, dinner). A "thank-you" social will be held for Judges on Wednesday evening.

Housing

Three hotels in San Jose have blocked out rooms for this event. To make reservations and to learn more about hotels for Intel ISEF 2010, please visit the lodging page.

If you have any questions about being a Grand Awards Judge for Intel ISEF 2010, please send a message to judging @ isef2010sanjose.org.

If you meet the qualifications and wish to apply to be a Judge for Intel ISEF 2010 in San Jose, please continue to the Judges Application here.

If approved as a Grand Awards Judge, you will receive a confirmation and additional information as the Fair nears. Thanks for your interest in Intel ISEF 2010!