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Science fair seeks judges and volunteers

February 13, 2017

NIU community members and regional educators interested in nurturing the next generation of young Illinois scientists can register as judges and support volunteers for two upcoming Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) competitions on the DeKalb campus.

Judging for the IJAS Region 5 regional finals will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. Click here to register as a judge for March 25.

Judging for the statewide Science Exposition, featuring the winners from each region, will take place on Friday, May 5. Judges will gather at 12:30 p.m. for a brief training and they will make their decisions by 4 p.m or shortly thereafter. Click here to register as a judge for May 5.

NIU faculty and staff members, NIU graduate students and regional educators are eligible to be judges.

Both events also rely on NIU undergraduate and graduate student volunteers to help with logistics, check-in and the judging process. To claim a volunteer shift on May 5 or May 6, when final prizes will be presented, click here for the volunteer form.

“So many members of the NIU science, technology, engineering and math departments had formative experiences with science fairs when they were younger,” said Tracy Rogers-Tryba, who is coordinating the judging and volunteer efforts. “This is a wonderful chance to give back and to help create similar experiences for the next generation.”

The deadline to register as a judge or volunteer for the March 25 Regional Finals is March 10. For the May 5-6 Finals, the deadline is April 14.

For more information, contact Rogers-Tryba at tlrogers@niu.edu or 815-753-2090.