2026 SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair Grand Award Judge (High School 9-12)

Description:

Judge for the 71st Annual SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair and make students proud of their science! As a grand award judge at the High School level, you will evaluate projects, interview students, and weigh in on which projects will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in a specific category along with your judging team.

High School judging and interviews for the 2026 SARSEF will be held in-person at the U of A Student Union on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. Judging at the Elementary and Middle School levels is conducted virtually.

You will use our criteria modeled after the criteria used at the International Science and Engineering Fair to select winning projects and interview the students to learn more about their work and encourage them to continue pursuing their interests in science and engineering.

Qualifications:

Judges at the high school level should be professionals or hold at least a Bachelor's Degree in the field. Current junior and senior undergraduates may also be considered.

Sign up for the categor(ies) that you have the most interest and applicable experience. If you sign up for more than one category, we will assign you to the team with the highest need. If your preferred category is full, pease join the waitlist and sign up for a secondary choice in the meantime.

• *Categories changed in 2023 to reflect current research trends and interest. For full category descriptions, please click HERE.*

2026 Categories:

Animal Science

Applied Technology

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Chemistry

Data Science and Math

Environmental Studies

Medicine, Health, and Disease

Microbiology

Physics and Astronomy

Plant Science

Sustainability and Renewable Energy

High School judging caucuses and student interviews will be held in-person on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, in the UA Student Union. SARSEF will cover parking fees for judges.

There is a morning and afternoon judging/interview session. The session you are assigned to will depend on the category you are judging. Coffee, light snacks, and lunch will be provided.

Project review should be conducted prior to the caucus when it is most convenient for you. Judges may review projects starting Saturday, February 28th at 12:00p.

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

• 8:30a-1:00p High School judging and interviews for:
• Applied Technology
• Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Chemistry
• Physics and Astronomy
• Plant Science
• Sustainability and Renewable Energy
• 12:00p-4:30p High School judging and interviews for:
• Animal Science
• Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Data Science and Math
• Environmental Studies
• Medicine, Health, and Disease
• Microbiology

All judges will need to view a virtual training prior to judging to go over procedures and any updates and changes from previous years.

Training Sessions (virtual, you should plan to attend only one):

Wednesday, February 25 6:00p

Thursday, February 26 8:00a

• SARSEF Judging Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy

Please sign up through this link: https://sarsef.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0013&console_type=event_list&ht=1&event_id=149

12 options available:

• Applied Technology: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 08:30 to 13:00 MST
• Behavioral and Social Sciences: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 08:30 to 13:00 MST
• Chemistry: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 08:30 to 13:00 MST
• Physics and Astronomy: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 08:30 to 13:00 MST
• Plant Science: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 08:30 to 12:00 MST
• Sustainability and Renewable Energy: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 08:30 to 13:00 MST
• Animal Science: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 12:00 to 16:30 MST
• Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 12:00 to 16:30 MST
• Data Science and Math: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 12:00 to 16:30 MST
• Environmental Studies: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 12:00 to 16:30 MST
• Medicine, Health, and Disease: Tuesday March 03, 2025 - 12:00 to 16:30 MST
• Microbiology: Tuesday March 03, 2025 -12:00 to 16:30 MST