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Volunteers/Judges

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the MS Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF)!

  • The Region V MSEF  is grateful to all those who support the efforts toward assisting young people in their scientific and engineering research pursuits.  Teachers, parents, mentors and supervising researchers enrich the experience of the young scientists every year. Of course, the fair competition is fully dependent on volunteers and judges.  Volunteers assist registration, display and safety checks.  Judges review and score the research and presentations of the young scientists.
  • In an effort to prepare our students for a more globally competitive science fair, Region V MSEF has adopted the judging criteria  set forth by the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.  Click on the following links for additional information and a copy of the new judging form.
  • Judging criteria for EXPERIMENTAL projects
  • Judging criteria for ENGINEERING projects
  • LOWER FAIR (GRADE K-5) judging rubric

February 25, 2025 at the Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville MSU Campus.
Region V MSEF Upper Fair (6-12 grade) - Register to judge or volunteer by February 7, 2025

April 15, 2025 at the Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville MSU Campus.
Region V MSEF Lower Fair (K-5 grade) - Register to judge or volunteer by March 28, 2025

Eligibility requirements for judges

  • Eligibility requirements for Lower Fair judges (grades K-5):
    College juniors, seniors and/or graduate students judge in the lower fair. Other qualified judges hold college/university degrees or industrial experience.
  • Eligibility requirements for Upper Fair judges (grades 6-12):
    Qualified category judges should have a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree to judge projects in the upper fair grades. Best of Fair judges should have a Master’s Degree, Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree OR related professional experience to judge projects in grades 9-12. Fair staff work to align area of expertise with the category judged.

Category Descriptions

Volunteer and Judging Registrations

Click here for Judges sign up

Click here for Volunteer Sign up

Click for step by step instructions for judge registration and volunteer registration. A video tutorial for STEM Wizard can be found here.

What should I do if I have to cancel judging and volunteering?
As professionals, we realize that sometimes meetings or conflicts arise on the dates of the science fair. If you sign up to volunteer/judge and realize you have a conflict, please notify the Fair Director, Dr. Tina Gibson at msefregionv@gmail.com, at least 48 hours prior to the Fair day. We would greatly appreciate if  you could send someone in  your place.