PROBLEM JUDGE

• Must know and understand ALL the parameters of the problem you are judging:  scored elements, clarifications, Odyssey rules

Problem Judge

Evaluates and scores the Long Term Problem

• Extremely important to know and understand ALL the parameters of the problem you are judging:  scored elements, clarifications, Odyssey rules
• You must know just what elements you are looking for to award points
• You will judge a solution’s creativity, quality, and effectiveness

Two kinds of scoring:  Objective and Subjective

Objective:  straight forward

• Did an event that was supposed to happen actually happen?
• YES OR NO      e.g. Did dance last 30 sec?
• 5 points OR 0 points
• All judges must concur that it did happen or that it did not happen.  If it was seen     by one judge, then it happened
• This is the only time that judges can compare their scores

Subjective

• Need to be very familiar with the problem and what is to be scored
• Do not have any preconceived notions about what you think the solution should look like.  A very creative team will not do what you expect.
• To judge creativity, you must be flexible, open, and you must become a creative thinker too!
• You will be judging Creativity, Quality, and Effectiveness of different aspects of the team’s solution
• Elements are scored in a range:  1-10, 1-20, 1-25
• NEVER give a score that is the highest in the range; (e.g.., 10 out of 10,  20 out of 20)
• Guidelines for subjective scoring  1-10
• Average =4,  Good or Above average=5,   Very good=6,  Exceptional=7, 8,9=Degrees of absolutely outstanding, 10=Could never be better in any way!
• Do not compare your scores with any other judges.  You just need to be consistent within your own scoring throughout the day—not with anyone else’s.

Procedure

• You will get a long term score sheet for each team.  It is very specific about what elements you are to judge
• Before kids get to the performance area, get up and position yourself so you can see everything—you don’t want to miss a thing!
• You want to give the team all the points they deserve

After performance, talk to the team:  compliment and ask questions

2 purposes:

1. Shows team you were paying attention and makes them feel appreciated
2. Helps determine if there was any outside assistance

Questions: 

• Who designed scenery, props, costumes?
• Who made it?
• Who did the drilling, sawing, sewing, painting?
• What kinds of tools did you use?
• Where did you get the idea for…?
• Why?

• Enter scores on the worksheet you will receive on the day of the tournament.  Jot down notes to help you remember what a given team did. The worksheet will help you stay consistent throughout the day.
• Transfer scores from the worksheet to the Team's score sheet.
• Write lots of positive sticky notes.  Attach them to the Team's scoresheet.
• Score sheets are collected for transfer to the Scorekeeper.

Penalties

• If a penalty is to be assessed, the occasion and the amount must be agreed upon by all the problem judges.
• Spirit of the Problem penalty is given for omission of any element under A. The Problem and for any rule that is not followed for which there is no specific penalty.
• BUT, remember that "omission of a scored problem requirement carries no penalty except loss of score for only that scoring category."  Do not give a penalty AND give the element a zero score!

Have a great day!!  You will be wowed by a lot of stuff you see!  Enjoy it.