FAQ

Judges FAQ Open/Close All
What is the Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF)? The ISTF is a national technology literacy program that teaches students basic science inquiry, team collaboration and webpage presentation skills. What is the purpose of the ISTF? The ISTF's goal is to encourage students in grades 3 through 12 to explore real-world science, engineering and technical career opportunities that lie ahead. Students in what grade levels can enter the ISTF? Students in grades 3 through 12 can participate. How does the ISTF fulfill its intended purpose? Student teams use information and communication technology tools to research solutions, communicate with experts in the field and present their findings in a website format. Who are final judges? Judges are subject matter experts (such as scientists, engineers, doctors, or technicians) who act (via the Internet) as content evaluators for student projects. When does the ISTF Final Round of Judging occur? In April; please refer to the ISTF Schedule for the current year's specific dates. How long does the ISTF Final Round of Judging last? Ten days; you can complete the evaluation of your assigned projects anytime during this ten-day period. Where do I begin if I am interested in participating? Read the Newcomers section of the ISTF site for Judges. How do I become a final judge for the competition? The "My ISTF" link allows you to setup an ISTF Final Judge Account and use this account for all judging activities. What is an ISTF Final Judge Account? An ISTF Final Judge Account allows you to access the secure judges' area through a username and password that you choose. NOTE: All ISTF Accounts are free of cost. Why must ISTF Final Judges complete Profile Setup? These profiles help to ensure that judges evaluate appropriate projects based on their background, expertise, and experience. What information does the profile involve? Information about your general, educational, and technical experience composes the judging profile. What is the technical section? Judges may choose to complete the "Educational" portion, "Technical" portion, or both as applicable. The technical (or NCT) section is a collection of information that denotes your knowledge and experience in particular subject areas. What is the general section? All judges fill out the "General" portion, which consists of basic background information. What is the educational section? Judges may choose to complete the "Educational" portion, "Technical" portion, or both as applicable. The educational section contains questions about your work in all levels of education. How do I complete my profile? Please see the Profile Setup page for more information. What are the National Critical Technologies (NCTs)? Students use the list of National Critical Technologies (NCTs), seven categories that encompass some of the United States' most important technical advancements, to build their projects. Does effectively viewing and evaluating projects require any specific software? Individual projects may list different and/or additional requirements, but generally, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is recommended. How will I know what to expect of students' final project websites? You should refer to the guidelines (according to grade level) for final project website content and format requirements: Elementary (grades 3-5), Middle (grades 6-9), or High (grades 10-12). Also, the rubrics that you use to evaluate the projects incorporate these guidelines, demonstrate potential scores, and include the corresponding quality that warrants the defined scores. Who are technical advisors? Technical advisors are practicing professionals (such as scientists, engineers, doctors, or technicians) who act (via the Internet) as subject matter experts for student teams. Can I become a technical advisor? Yes. However, obviously you cannot serve as both a technical advisor and a judge during the same year. If you are interested in becoming a technical advisor, please see the Newcomers and Team Members sections for advisors. What is the role of technical advisors? The role of technical advisor is one of the cornerstones of the ISTF Program and involves serving as on-line mentors to teams and providing them with the benefit of the advisors’ subject matter expertise, real-world experience and the sound scientific assessment skills the advisors themselves employ.

Judges FAQ

Open/Close All

What is the Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF)?
- The ISTF is a national technology literacy program that teaches students basic science inquiry, team collaboration and webpage presentation skills.
What is the purpose of the ISTF?
- The ISTF's goal is to encourage students in grades 3 through 12 to explore real-world science, engineering and technical career opportunities that lie ahead.
Students in what grade levels can enter the ISTF?
- Students in grades 3 through 12 can participate.
How does the ISTF fulfill its intended purpose?
- Student teams use information and communication technology tools to research solutions, communicate with experts in the field and present their findings in a website format.
Who are final judges?
- Judges are subject matter experts (such as scientists, engineers, doctors, or technicians) who act (via the Internet) as content evaluators for student projects.
When does the ISTF Final Round of Judging occur?
- In April; please refer to the ISTF Schedule for the current year's specific dates.
How long does the ISTF Final Round of Judging last?
- Ten days; you can complete the evaluation of your assigned projects anytime during this ten-day period.
Where do I begin if I am interested in participating?
- Read the Newcomers section of the ISTF site for Judges.
How do I become a final judge for the competition?
- The "My ISTF" link allows you to setup an ISTF Final Judge Account and use this account for all judging activities.
What is an ISTF Final Judge Account?
- An ISTF Final Judge Account allows you to access the secure judges' area through a username and password that you choose. NOTE: All ISTF Accounts are free of cost.
Why must ISTF Final Judges complete Profile Setup?
- These profiles help to ensure that judges evaluate appropriate projects based on their background, expertise, and experience.
What information does the profile involve?
- Information about your general, educational, and technical experience composes the judging profile.
  - What is the technical section?
    - Judges may choose to complete the "Educational" portion, "Technical" portion, or both as applicable. The technical (or NCT) section is a collection of information that denotes your knowledge and experience in particular subject areas.
  - What is the general section?
    - All judges fill out the "General" portion, which consists of basic background information.
  - What is the educational section?
    - Judges may choose to complete the "Educational" portion, "Technical" portion, or both as applicable. The educational section contains questions about your work in all levels of education.
How do I complete my profile?
- Please see the Profile Setup page for more information.
What are the National Critical Technologies (NCTs)?
- Students use the list of National Critical Technologies (NCTs), seven categories that encompass some of the United States' most important technical advancements, to build their projects.
Does effectively viewing and evaluating projects require any specific software?
- Individual projects may list different and/or additional requirements, but generally, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is recommended.
How will I know what to expect of students' final project websites?
- You should refer to the guidelines (according to grade level) for final project website content and format requirements: Elementary (grades 3-5), Middle (grades 6-9), or High (grades 10-12). Also, the rubrics that you use to evaluate the projects incorporate these guidelines, demonstrate potential scores, and include the corresponding quality that warrants the defined scores.
Who are technical advisors?
- Technical advisors are practicing professionals (such as scientists, engineers, doctors, or technicians) who act (via the Internet) as subject matter experts for student teams.
  - Can I become a technical advisor?
    - Yes. However, obviously you cannot serve as both a technical advisor and a judge during the same year. If you are interested in becoming a technical advisor, please see the Newcomers and Team Members sections for advisors.
  - What is the role of technical advisors?
    - The role of technical advisor is one of the cornerstones of the ISTF Program and involves serving as on-line mentors to teams and providing them with the benefit of the advisors’ subject matter expertise, real-world experience and the sound scientific assessment skills the advisors themselves employ.