They can come up with stuff that adults just don t think of, said Barry Barbato, a National Weather Service hydrologist. It s hard to judge sometimes. All are really excellent in some way. Judging criteria include how the young scientists follow the scientific process, exhibit creativity and carry through their experiments with thoroughness. Some are beautiful, interesting projects, but they are not experiments with an hypothesis and a conclusion, Barbato said.
Judges return year after year.
Many of them are geologists and earth scientists as well as professionals in consulting and engineering firms and government agencies like the Fish and Wildlife service. The diversity of scientific disciplines and personal interests is valuable, said said Elizabeth Jones Crafford of Geological Services of Reno. They present different perspectives. It s a strong process when the judges are listening to each other s opinions. Projects are judged in part on their creativity, she said.