Judges serve a significant role in the K-12 InVenture Prize competition events by scoring and giving feedback to inventors about their products, and anyone can be a judge! To empower judges to share their expertise as a professional or consumer, K-12 InVenture Prize provides resources and training that prepares judges for the competition.
Judging Introduction and Guide
Rubric
Judges will score each invention using the following eight (8) criteria: Practicality, Knowledge-Based, Design-Based Thinking, Creativity, Marketability, Social Responsibility, Enthusiasm and Communication, and Manufacturing.
Each criteron must be scored between 1 and 5.
- 1 signifies non-existent or marginal,
- 3 signifies ‘average’ for their grade level, and
- 5 signifies exemplary and Nationals-worthy.
Criteria
Practicality
The project addresses a clearly defined problem or need and could conceivably exist and be useful (do consider diverse needs and perspectives).
Have the inventors identified a clear need and intended user?
Marketability
There is a clearly defined market or customer base for the product, students have spoken to potential users/gathered user data.
Who will use and/or buy the product?
Knowledge-Based
The students can explain the relevant science or other research that went into their product and have knowledge of similar products on the market.
How well do the inventors use research and scientific analysis to explain how their invention works? Did the inventors perform a patent search?
Social Responsibility
The students addressed any relevant ethical or sustainability issues. The project is likely to have a positive impact on individuals or society.
Did the inventors consider the environmental impacts and life cycle of the invention, including disposal and materials? Does the product better society in some way?
Design-Based Thinking
The students used an iterative design process including testing and refining. Look for evidence of improvement over time.
Did the inventors consider multiple solution pathways and justify their solution choice? Did they iterate on their original idea? Do they have a meaningful mock-up or prototype(s)?
Enthusiasm and Communication
Students communicated their ideas clearly and are excited about their product.
How well do the inventors communicate their ideas?
Creativity
The product is sufficiently unique from competing products (shouldn't be easily found on Amazon), and is clever, novel, and/or delightful.
What makes the invention different from currently available products?
Manufacturing
The students have considered making and manufacturing for their prototype and/or have a manufacturing plan for the future.
Did the inventors consider how the product would be made? How would the prototype be modified for production? For apps or software, what is the plan to sustain or improve the app?
Judging Process
Online Judging
Sign up to judge using our online form. The online form comprises of the Georgia Tech Youth Programs Staff & Volunteer Code of Conduct, Registration Questions, and Image License & Release form.
A day or so before the judging period begins, judges will receive an e-ballot through RocketJudge. Judges are recommended to check their junk or spam folders or search their inbox for "RocketJudge".
Judges may complete their e-ballots of 10-15 teams within the judging period. Typically, judges take approximately 1-2 hours to evaluate all 10-15 teams. Judges that have bandwidth to evaluate more projects are welcome to email us for more assignments.
In-Person Judging
Sign up to judge using our online form. The online form comprises of the Georgia Tech Youth Programs Staff & Volunteer Code of Conduct, Registration Questions, and Image License & Release form.
Prior to the event, judges will be sent the State Finals Judging Packet, which contains instructions to arrive on campus (parking, schedule, location, etc.). Judges are recommended to check their junk or spam folders or search their inbox for "K-12 InVenture Prize".
At check-in, judges will be assigned two "Judging Circles," one for each judging session. A Judging Circle comprises of other judges and approximately 4-5 teams. During a judging session, each team will (1) present for 5 minutes and then (2) answer questions from the judges and other teams for the next 5 minutes. The Q&A allows judges to ask questions to help score each criteria and for inventors to ask questions to their peers and learn from each other. Using their personal devices, judges will use RocketJudge e-ballots to score and provide feedback to teams during or after each team's presentation.