There are three judging phases to the Competition.
Initial Judging
During the initial judging, only the Research Reports are evaluated. These Reports are judged solely on project merits. These initial judges do not have any information about you (name, gender, school, age, or state).
Semifinalists
Up to 300 outstanding projects are selected as finalists, including both regional and semifinalists. Students chosen as semifinalists receive a special recognition package; your names are announced in an advertisement in USA Today and posted on the Siemens Foundation website.
Regional Finals
Up to 10 projects (up to five individual and up to five team projects) from each of six geographic regions are selected to compete at the regional level of the Competition.
At the regional and national levels of the Competition, judges evaluate the Research Report, the references cited in the Research Report, poster display, oral presentation, and private question-and-answer session. Factors such as knowledge of the science involved, your role in the project, and ideas extending from the work are also considered.
Judges expect to hear concise presentations and responses to their questions during the question-and-answer session. You must also be able to describe further aspects of your project, including the fundamental science behind what you have done. All aspects of the projects and presentations inform the final decisions of the judges.
National Finals
The six individual and six team regional winners compete at the national level. National finalists are required to display their posters, make oral presentations, and respond to questions before a national panel of judges.
