Judge Training 2025

Judge Training Video

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Meeting notes:

  • Tournament Introduction: Mel introduced the tournament, mentioning that Joyce and Lisa will be leading the judge advising process. The meeting will start at 8:00 AM, and judges will be divided into teams of two to three.
    • Introduction of Leads: Mel introduced Joyce and Lisa as the lead judge advisors, highlighting their extensive experience and their role in guiding the judges through the process on the day of the tournament.
    • Meeting Time: Mel emphasized the importance of arriving on time for the 8:00 AM start, noting that the judging process will begin shortly after the initial meeting.
    • Team Division: Judges will be divided into teams of two to three to facilitate the judging process, ensuring a mix of experienced and less experienced judges.
  • Judging Schedule: Mel explained the judging schedule, including half-hour blocks for each team, a 15-minute break for filling out rubrics, and the importance of timely note-taking.
    • Schedule Overview: Mel detailed the judging schedule, which includes half-hour sessions with each team, followed by a 15-minute break for judges to complete rubrics and notes.
    • Importance of Timeliness: Mel stressed the importance of completing rubrics and notes immediately after each session to ensure accuracy and prevent memory lapses.
    • Breaks and Deliberations: Judges will have 15-minute breaks between sessions to finalize their notes and rubrics, and there will be a deliberation period in the afternoon to discuss top teams.
  • Lunch and Afternoon Activities: Mel mentioned that lunch will be provided by a new team, and the afternoon will involve robot games and deliberations on top teams.
    • Lunch Details: Lunch will be provided by a new team, featuring Italian cuisine, and is expected to be of high quality.
    • Afternoon Activities: The afternoon will include robot games, with three matches per team, and deliberations to determine the top teams based on their performance.
  • Game Day Tool: Mel introduced the Game Day tool for digital rubrics, explaining its features and the importance of accurate data entry.
    • Tool Introduction: Mel introduced the Game Day tool, which will be used for digital rubrics, replacing the traditional paper-based system.
    • Features and Usage: Mel explained the features of the Game Day tool, including digital rubrics, timers, and the ability to enter and save data in real-time.
    • Data Entry Importance: Accurate data entry is crucial, as the tool will be used to compile and review all judging results, ensuring fairness and consistency.
  • Judging Criteria: Mel emphasized the importance of fairness and literal evaluation, focusing on the process rather than the product, and the need for detailed feedback for high scores.
    • Fairness in Judging: Mel stressed the need for judges to be fair and literal in their evaluations, avoiding personal biases and ensuring consistency across all teams.
    • Process Over Product: Judges should focus on the process followed by the teams rather than the final product, evaluating how well the teams adhered to the design and innovation processes.
    • Detailed Feedback: Providing detailed feedback is essential, especially for high scores, to justify the ratings and help teams understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Feedback Process: Mel and Joyce discussed the importance of providing constructive feedback, using gracious professionalism, and the role of judge advisors in reviewing feedback.
    • Constructive Feedback: Mel and Joyce highlighted the importance of giving constructive feedback, focusing on areas for improvement and using positive language to encourage teams.
    • Gracious Professionalism: Feedback should be delivered with gracious professionalism, ensuring that it is respectful and supportive, even when pointing out areas for improvement.
    • Role of Judge Advisors: Judge advisors, Joyce and Lisa, will review the feedback provided by judges to ensure clarity and appropriateness, and may request revisions if necessary.
  • Team Presentations: Mel and Joyce outlined the structure of team presentations, including time management, the role of adult observers, and the importance of fair evaluation.
    • Presentation Structure: Teams will have a structured presentation format, including a 5-minute innovation project presentation, 5 minutes for Q&A, 5 minutes for robot design presentation, and another 5 minutes for Q&A.
    • Time Management: Judges need to manage time effectively, ensuring that each segment of the presentation stays within the allotted time to maintain the schedule.
    • Role of Observers: One adult observer per team is allowed in the room, but they cannot assist the team during the presentation. Their role is strictly observational.
    • Fair Evaluation: Judges must evaluate teams fairly based on the criteria provided, without adding personal expectations or biases to the assessment process.
  • Accessibility and Inclusivity: Mel and Joyce addressed the need for sensitivity towards teams with members on the autism spectrum or other developmental issues, emphasizing fair treatment and respect.
    • Sensitivity to Autism: Mel and Joyce emphasized the importance of being sensitive to team members on the autism spectrum, recognizing their unique behaviors and ensuring they are treated with respect.
    • Fair Treatment: Judges should treat all team members with the same level of professionalism and respect, regardless of any developmental issues, ensuring an inclusive environment.
    • Respectful Interaction: Judges should interact with all team members respectfully, avoiding any condescending behavior and maintaining a professional tone throughout the evaluation.
  • Final Remarks: Mel thanked the participants for their commitment and highlighted the importance of valuing the efforts of the teams and their families.
    • Appreciation: Mel expressed gratitude to the judges for their commitment and time, acknowledging the significant effort and resources invested by the teams and their families.
    • Valuing Efforts: Mel emphasized the importance of valuing the efforts of all participants, ensuring that every team feels respected and appreciated, regardless of the competition outcome.

Follow-up tasks:

  • Judging Schedule: Reprint the judging schedule to correct the 10-minute block to 15 minutes. (Mel)
  • Judging Timer Video: Create a quick video demonstrating the timer process for judges to view on Sunday morning. (Mel)
  • Innovation Project Topic: Discuss how to handle teams presenting innovation projects not related to ocean exploration on Sunday morning. (Mel, Lisa, Joyce)
  • Team Accessibility: Alert judges to any teams with members on the autism spectrum or other accessibility needs as soon as this information is available. (Mel)
  • Coach Recording Guidelines: Send the wording of the guidelines for coach recording during presentations to Joyce and Lisa. (Mel)