Role Description

Judges are an essential part of each KidWind Challenge, as they bring their expertise in engineering, science, renewable energy to evaluate student projects. Judges review each team's project documentation, observe their presentations, and provide valuable feedback to each team. 

If you have a background in engineering, education, or renewable energy, this role is a great way to use your knowledge to inspire and mentor the next generation of innovators.

Each challenge can have up to 5 divisions: Elementary Wind, Middle School Wind, High School Wind, Middle Solar, and High School Solar. Judges can request which of these divisions they feel most comfortable judging. However, the exact divisions that will be at each event is dependent on team registration. We ask that judges be willing to be flexible with their assigned judging room. 

Why be a Judge?

• Recognition for Your Company: We will publicly recognize your company or organization during the award ceremony, showcasing your support for education and renewable energy. Feel free to wear clothing with your company’s logo on it as well.
• Bio in Event Program: A (short) bio will be featured in the event program, either online or in print, giving you the opportunity to highlight your expertise and contribution to this meaningful event. We hope these bios give students an idea of the plethora of different roles they can play in the renewable energy industry. 
• Complimentary Lunch and Tshirt: Enjoy a provided lunch and Kidwind Tshirt during the event as a thank-you for your time and dedication.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the renewable energy field and STEM education, expanding your professional network.
• Make a Difference: Contribute directly to the development of the future workforce by mentoring students and helping them develop critical skills in STEM and renewable energy. 

Time Commitment and Responsibilities

Pre-Event Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the judging rubric, rules, and process
• Attend a 30 minute judge's webinar (this information may instead be relayed in a premade video, TBD)
• Be attentive to emails to ensure you know where and when to arrive on the challenge date

Event Day Commitment:

• Judges should arrive at 8:30 on the day of the challenge. Judges will meet with CASE staff to review the judging process. The welcome ceremony will begin at 9am, and judging will begin ~9:45am. 
• The length of judging is depdendent on the number of teams registered, but may continue until 2pm, followed by an hour to enter in scores for each team. 
• Judges are encouraged, but not required, to stay through the award ceremony to present superlative awards to winning teams.

Process of Team Evaluation

Timing

Wind teams each have a presentation time of 10 minutes (15 minutes is slotted for each team for bumper time). About 7 minutes will be their presentation 3 minutes will be questions from judges, then 5 minutes bumper time for entering/exiting.

Solar teams each have a presentation time of 15 minutes  (20 minutes is slotted for each team for bumper time). About 7 minutes will be their presentation, 5 minutes will be a demonstration of their project, 3 minutes will be questions from judges, then 5 minutes bumper time for entering/exiting.

Evaluation

Individual judges will take notes during team's presentations. Once all presenations are complete, judges will collaborate to determine and enter a score for each team based on the rubric. Judges are also asked to provide constructive feedback to teams to help them improve their project for their next competition. 

Questions to Ask Teams

Judges encouraged to ask questions about their design process, research, teamwork, engineering, or whatever else you may see fit!