Volunteer as a Judge
Help young engineers reach for the stars
Spend about one hour giving grade 3–8 teams the encouraging, expert feedback that keeps them exploring STEM. You review a few space-colony projects, score them on a simple rubric, and record a short coaching video for each. No special prep — we walk you through it.
- About 1 hour
- total, all cycle
- 2–3 teams
- a light load
- 100% remote
- from anywhere
- April 9 – May 1
- on your schedule
What it takes
Four simple steps
1.Warm up on a practice team
Score one calibration team first and see where you land against the panel — so everyone judges on the same scale. No experience needed.
2.Review your assigned teams
Read each team's report, drawing, and video, then score against a simple 100-point rubric — all in your browser, on your own time.
3.Record a short feedback video
Record a 3–4 minute coaching video for each team: greet them, say what you liked, and offer one next step. Warmth over critique.
4.Earn your certificate
Finish a quick survey and download a certificate of appreciation for the time and expertise you gave.
Why judges love it
You're the highlight of their season
Judges are engineers, educators, and researchers who remember what it's like to be a curious kid with a big idea. For many teams, a mentor's feedback video is the moment the whole project pays off.
Your words stick
Specific, encouraging feedback from a real professional is often what a young team remembers most.
Light and flexible
Just 2–3 teams, about one hour total, done whenever suits you during the judging window.
No prep required
A guided portal, a simple rubric, and a practice round get you calibrated before your first real team.
Ready to inspire a team?
Sign up in a couple of minutes. We review each one and follow up before the judging window opens — approved judges sign in with a secure access link, no password to manage.
Questions? team@cosmic-leap.org