Judges at the Dallas Regional Science and Engineering Fair (DRSEF) play a vital role in the success of the fair each year. We greatly appreciate the dedicated volunteers from the science and engineering communities who judge at the fair – thank you!
Register as a Judge
Category Judges
Projects within DRSEF are separated into categories as defined by the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. DRSEF combines some of the smaller categories for judging as needed.
Judges are grouped in teams of 2-4 and evaluate projects in their field. Category judges award 1st through 3rdplace in smaller categories, and 1st through 4th in larger categories. Honorable Mentions are also awarded.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Bachelors’ degree or equivalent experience in the chosen category.
Conflict of interest
Family members, teachers, and/or paid mentors of competing students may not judge in any category or division. Family members may sign up to judge provided they recuse themselves if their child qualifies. Email recusals to DRSEFJudge@smu.edu.
Please note that if any judge that is found to have a conflict of interest with a competing student and does not recuse themselves from judging, the student’s / students’ project(s) will be disqualified from DRSEF and be ineligible for awards and advancement to both the Texas State Science Fair and International Science Fair.
Category Judge Resources
Special Award Judges
Many local companies, organizations and societies provide Special Awards for the fair. Judges for these awards are provided by the donor group. If you want to give a Special Award, please email us at DRSEFJudge@smu.edu.
Register as a Special Award Judge here.
Contact Us
Questions about judging? Need to recuse yourself or cancel? Interested in being on the mailing list for next year? Email us at DRSEFJudge@smu.edu.
