Science Fair Judges & Volunteers
Inspire and connect
with the next generation of Minnesota scientists and engineers!
The Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair is an annual event where hundreds of middle and high school students from across Minnesota present the results of their original research to STEM professionals, gaining valuable feedback. The 2026 State Science Fair will be held on Friday, March 27 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in the Saint Paul River Centre.
This annual competition allows 350+ students to present and celebrate their self directed STEM research projects.
We need volunteers, like YOU, to help run this impactful event!
Science Fair Judges
Judges should have experience or education in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field. This is a great opportunity for professionals, educators, researchers, or advanced students to support STEM education in a meaningful and rewarding way.
Inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators! As a Science Fair Judge, you’ll:
Interview students about their projects
Evaluate scientific thinking, creativity, and presentation
Provide constructive, encouraging feedback
Help recognize outstanding student work
General Event Volunteers
Be a vital part of making the event run smoothly! No science background required. General Event Volunteers support a wide range of activities, including:
Assisting with event setup and cleanup
Welcoming and guiding students, parents, and guests
Helping manage registration and check-in tables
Providing directions and answering basic questions
Supporting logistics throughout the day (e.g., handing out materials, keeping areas organized)
Send message us at sciencefair@mnmas.org if you are interested in learning more!
Event Day Judge Schedule
Friday, 3/27/26 10:00 am to 3:30 pm - In-person Science Fair at St Paul RiverCentre. All Grand Awards Judges must attend in person. Arrive between 10 and 10:30, announcements at 10:30. Judging starts at 11. Lunch and coffee will be provided for you!
Friday, 3/27/26 7:00 pm- Deadline to enter scores online for projects. Please ensure that all scores and comments are entered into zFairs by 7 pm on the day of judging.
Sunday, 3/29/26 2:00 pm- Virtual Award Ceremony. We would love for you to join us for the virtual awards ceremony! The link will be sent to you via email and will be available on the MN State Science and Engineering Details page.
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Feedback from judges is extremely important for our student participants.
Here’s some feedback we received from the 2022 event from judges:
“I really enjoy talking with young scientists and working with students to help them improve their critical thinking skills and encourage their curiosity.”
“I am glad to be able to judge these projects. The overall caliber of scientific work is excellent, especially at a high school level, and has good novelty.”
“I enjoy supporting young interested scientists. Every year I am blown away by what these students can accomplish. Whether it's Middle School or High School projects, there are always projects that strike me as way beyond the expectations that we would have for students their age.” -
Judges must have an interest and experience in social science or a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) field. We welcome judges from most levels of education and experience.
High school project judges must:
- have at least a Bachelor’s degree OR
- have at least four years of experience in a social science or STEM field
Middle school project judges must:
- have either of the qualifications listed above OR
- have at least two years of experience in a social science or STEM field OR
- be a current student in a social science or STEM field as an undergraduate, in a trade or in a two-year college
Judges who are parents, relatives, and teachers of students competing must disclose their connections to participants by answering a particular question in the registration process to avoid conflicts of interest in assignments. -
Judging areas of focus follow International Science and Engineering Fair Categories.
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CELL, MICRO, TMED, BCHM / BMED
CHEM, MATH, PHYS, MATS / EGSD
BMED, ENEV, BNBM, EGSD, ETSD / MATS
To learn more abouBMED, ENEV, BNBM, EGSD, ETSDt about the categories for science fair click here.
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No matter the topic, you are evaluating
whether or not you think the project has a clear purpose or problem that’s testable or addresses a certain need,
if the research plan was well-designed and variables appropriate,
if data were collected systematically or the prototype was tested in multiple conditions,
if the student showed creativity, and
how the poster and conversation were.
We have a rubric for you to fill out.
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Click here to see a webpage with some good ideas of what questions to ask students.
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If you have questions and are a general judge (for Grand Awards), contact info@mnmas.org.
If you have questions and are judging a sponsored award (such as through your workplace or organization), contact sciencefair@mnmas.org.
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We welcome people who are open to doing a variety of tasks and committed to helping us host a successful event to serve as a general volunteer. We do not require event volunteers to have a social science or STEM background.
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Volunteers must be at leat 16 years of age to be a volunteer at the MN State Science & Engineering Fair.
