Transition to Virtual Judging for In-Person Elementary School Science Fairs

“You work for Brookhaven National Laboratory? I was there in second grade when I won the science fair!” This interaction where strangers recognize the logo for Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has become a regular occurrence. As one of the science fair coordinators, I have always enjoyed these encounters. Many of these participants are well into their adulthood by the time I cross paths with them, but they still recall the excitement of visiting the laboratory, sharing their project with the community, and joining the other participants on stage during the awards ceremony.Keywords: ElementaryInformal EducationAdministrationInquiryResearchScience and Engineering PracticesSTEM ConclusionThe lasting impact and influence of the BNL Science Fair will continue for the students, families, teachers, and schools that participate. The transition to virtual judging has allowed us to recruit volunteer judges from any location and provide a more engaging in-person experience for students and their families. Opportunities such as this provide students with avenues to showcase their research, learn from their peers, engage with the scientific and engineering community, as well as learn about the research conducted at BNL. Results of the BNL Science Fair can be accessed here: Elementary Science Fair Competition.Additional informationNotes on contributorsAmanda HornAmanda Horn, PhD, is an Educational Programs Administrator at Brookhaven National Laboratory - Office of Educational Programs in Upton, New York.