Judging for LACSEF

Thank you for your interest in judging for the 76th Annual Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair! Below you will find the criteria to serve as a judge for our event.

Junior Division (Students grades 6–8; 21 categories; about 60% of projects)

Certified science, engineering, math or computer science teachers (cannot judge students from their school)
Individuals with a degree in science, engineering, math or computer science (STEM)
People who work in an area of science, engineering, math or computer science
Undergraduate pre-service teachers or students working towards a STEM degree; Juniors and Seniors (Upperclassmen) with research experience. (Junior Division judging only)
Meet the Senior Division criteria
Retired individuals with the above qualifications

Senior Division (High School; 15 categories; about 40% of projects)

Individuals with a STEM degree, preferably with experience in college “poster sessions” or science fairs
Students working on a Graduate STEM degree
High School science, engineering, math or computer science teachers (cannot judge students from their school)
People working in a STEM field for five or more years
Retired individuals with the above qualifications

General Information

Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair judges help determine category winners as well as those who will represent the LACSEF at the California State Science Fair and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). LACSEF winners receive medals, cash, awards, and /or scholarships. Your participation as a judge truly makes a difference in the lives of students and shapes the scientists of tomorrow!

Judging will occur Monday, March 9, 2026. There are 41 categories for student exhibits, Junior or Senior Division. Judges are provided with all necessary materials, and there is a Chairperson for each category to help facilitate the process and answer questions. Judges will work in panels of 2–3 judges to allow ALL students to be seen by judges at least twice! Judges will complete a scoring rubric for each project, which will be sent to the students via their school/Site Coordinator.

Preparing for Judging and Interviewing at the Fair

How to Register

To register as a judge for the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair:

Log into online registration system at app.lascifair.org

Enter your information and indicate preferred level* and categories** to judge.

Notes:

*When filling out the Judge’s Application, first select the division you prefer to judge. (Junior Division=Grades 6–8; Senior Division= Grades 9–12 or No Preference), and whether or not you are willing to be a Chairperson for your category.

**Select up to three categories that you are qualified to judge (you will be assigned to judge only one.) Please pay particular attention to these selections and double-check your category choices. If you have strong desires to judge certain categories OR more flexibility than the website can record, please email that information after you have registered to judging@lascifair.org.

If you have friends in science, engineering, or technology who might like to serve as a judge, please notify us as soon as possible!

Contact: Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to your participation in the 76th Annual Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair.

Alamelu Arunachalam, judging@lascifair.org

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair is an equal opportunity for all events, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, medical condition, national origin, race and religious creed. Judges & volunteers bear the responsibility to act as guardians and custodians of the students during their volunteering. Their familiarity with the students’ special sensitivities is imperative to the overall success of the Science Fair and our efforts to achieve an equal opportunity for all, free of discrimination.