High school judges should be professionals in their field(s) (five years experience preferred) and/or hold  advanced (master’s or doctoral) degrees. 

Middle school judges should hold a bachelor’s degree, and have some experience in their field, or teach in  the selected area. 

Elementary school judges must have some post-high school education, with some experience with the age level selected, and/or interest in the field selected.

We ask that all judges commit to one full day in order to maintain consistency when judging all projects in each category. Elementary & Junior Division judges are needed from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Thursday, March 27 and Senior Division Judges are needed from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Friday, March 28. To view the detailed schedule, click  HER

Student projects are judged according to the type of project it is - Scientific Research or Engineering. AzSEF has  established judging criteria based on the type (scientific research or engineering) and division (Elementary/Junior or  Senior). To view the judging criteria for the Elem/Junior Division click HERE. To view the judging criteria for the  Senior Division, click HERE.  

Parents of participating students are welcome to volunteer as judges in different categories from their children; however, they must conform to the AzSEF conflict of interest policy listed on the Judge’s Registration page.

Occasionally a judge is not aware of a conflict until the day of the fair. If you become aware of a conflict of interest please email azsef@azscience.org right away. Any judge who knows a student personally in their judging category should recuse him or herself from scoring or interviewing that  student.

No. Other children are distracting to the students and other judges. 

Be sure to bring a watch or cell phone to keep track of time during your scheduled student interviews.  AzSEF will provide you with a clipboard, pencil, judging criteria, score sheet, food, coffee, and water. 

We ask that you dress professional or business casual as you are serving as role models for the students. Additionally you are encouraged to wear a shirt from the organization you are representing so the students can see the supportive community partners and potential career opportunities. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers as you will be standing on a concrete floor for several hours.

Free parking is provided for judges, volunteers, and participants at Desert Financial Arena. Please park in Lot 59, located off Rio Salado Drive in Tempe. Please see the map HERE

Yes. The Mill Ave/Third St. stop is only a 2 minute walk from the arena.  

The Valley Metro Lightrail schedules are available HERE.

Yes, we provide a light breakfast and coffee for the morning and a catered lunch with iced tea and water for both Judging Days.

We have not secured a block of hotel rooms for out of town judges or volunteers. If you are coming from out of town  and would like to stay at a hotel near Desert Financial Arena,, please see the list of hotels near the stadium HERE.

Elementary & Junior winners will be announced on the AzSEF Homepage on the Arizona Science Center website by 10:00 PM on March 27. Senior Division winners will be announced on the AzSEF Homepage on the Arizona Science Center website after 5:30 p.m. on March 28.  

The Awards Ceremony will take place at Arizona Science Center on  Saturday, March 29. The Celebration Day schedule is below. 

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Elementary & Junior Division Award Ceremony
Senior Division Public Display of projects 

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM      
Senior Division Awards Ceremony
Elementary & Junior Division Public Display of projects