Judging for the USMA science fair awards program – US Metric Association (Staging)

Regional and State Science Fair organizers frequently contact the US Metric Association for judges to evaluate projects for the US Metric Association’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 Metric Science Fair Award coordinator, Dr. William Hooper. His contact information is given below.

All arrangements are then made between the volunteer and the fair director. The director automatically receives the award materials each year along with the USMA science fair judging guide, which he or she gives to the 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.

USMA Science Fair Award coordinator

The US Metric Association Science Fair Award program coordinator is found on the USMA officers page.

Back to USMA home.