Championship Judging Day
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 1:30-6 PM
High school students enter the exhibit hall at 1:25 PM
Middle school students enter the exhibit hall at 1:55 PM
Public viewing 5-6 PM
Exception: students who need to complete compliance requirements before judging should arrive and will be admitted 30 minutes ahead of time to get final approval and retrieve their badges.
Location
South Hall at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, at 435 S Market Street & Balbach (looks like a big blue & white tent)
Policy Notice Regarding Fair Attendance:
- Students must be present at the board to be judged. If on a restroom break, students should leave a conspicuous note at their board with an estimated time of return. For team projects, at least one of the authors must be present.
- Parents/guardians and mentors are not permitted in the Hall during judging. If the student has special needs please contact fair manager.
- Classroom teachers may sign up here beginning February to be Chaperones during the judging period 1:30-6PM.
What to Expect on Judging Day
1. DRESS CODE
Wear your name badge (received on Check-In Day) and dress neatly and professionally – dress for success! A mask is recommended but not required.
2. REQUIRED MATERIALS
Students missing any of the items below will still be judged but will not be eligible for awards.
- All participants need a Project Notebook (hard copy, printed, or digital)
- Approval Form 1B
- Forms 1C, 7, 6A and 6B (if your project requires it). Forms 1C and 7 must be clearly displayed in front of your project board.
- Abstract & Compliance Checklist must be taped to the desk in front of the display board and become property of the student when the fair closes at 6 PM on Day 2.
3. NOT REQUIRED: Forms 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, Signed Human Informed Consent Forms, 5A, 5B and Research Plan
4. ARRIVAL TIMES
Please arrive promptly—but not too early.
Grades 9–12: South Hall doors open at 1:25 PM
Grades 6–8: South Hall doors open at 1:55 PM
Exception: Students completing compliance requirements must arrive 30 minutes early and check in at the Information Desk.
5. Be ready to stay at your project display until 5 PM
- There may be long periods between judges. Bring something to read while sitting quietly. (note: WiFi can be very slow when South Hall is full of students.)
- Bring a water bottle (water dispensers are available inside South Hall) and a snack (food is not available at South Hall). Keep your project area tidy.
During judging
You are expected to be at your project display from 1:30 PM (high school) or 2:00 PM (middle school) until at least 5 PM.
If you are not at your project when judges come by, you may be disqualified. Leave a note (with a time indication) at your project if you have gone to the restroom.
For team projects, at least one team member must be present for the project to be judged, but judges prefer to talk to all the team members.
You may be required to stay by your project after 5 pm so that we can complete judging. A few students may be asked to stay until 6:00pm if judges need more time with their projects. Judges will try to notify those students before 4:30 PM.
Judges will probably come to speak with you one at a time. There are 2 groups of Judges and both are important.
- Category Award Judges (wearing blue ribbons) are judging for 1st, 2nd and HM awards in scientific categories. At least two category judges will evaluate each project. Please ask category judges to put their initials on your Compliance Checklist when the interview is complete. If you do not have at least two category judges interview you by 4:30pm, please report to the Student Help Desk.
- Sponsored Award Judges (wearing white ribbons) are seeking projects that meet award-specific criteria.
Please review our Judging FAQ for Students to find answers to common questions.
