Guide to Judging Update: 6/30/25

Hi Everyone,

The Guide to Judging has been updated, along with individual collateral documents, such as rubrics.

Below is the changelog outlining major changes - the most noticeable of these will likely be the “Reference tags” that should make it easier to find and reference information from the Guide.

The next update is schedule for August. As in the past, our plan is to take community feedback from early season events, the RECF Summit, and suggestions from experienced volunteers and make adjustments as needed from this initial release.

June 2025 Update:

Overall

  • Various grammatical and typographical fixes
  • Various edits and additions for clarity
  • Past season Q&As integrated into document
  • Added reference tags such as to add structure for verbiage references
  • Added “Quick Reference” list of reference tags

Section 2: Judging Roles

  • Added verbiage to clarify best practices and requirements for Judge selection, roles, and certifications
  • Changed some age requirements for Judge volunteers
  • Expanded guidance and requirements for managing conflicts of interest

Section 3: Event Preparation and Execution

  • Added verbiage to clarify best practices and requirements for Event Partners and Judges

Section 4: Awards

  • Award descriptions and criteria moved to Award Description Appendix to improve document flow

Section 5: Judging Engineering Notebooks

  • Revised section, “The Engineering Notebook: Purpose & Academic Honesty”
  • Refined list of what Engineering Notebooks should contain
  • Added guidance for adding informational appendices to Engineering Notebooks
  • Added guidance regarding time limits for evaluating Engineering Notebooks
    *Removed guidance for percentages of notebooks in consideration for awards

Section 6: Team Interviews

  • Removed verbiage permitting Judge Advisors to schedule team interviews

Collateral / Supporting Documents

  • Engineering Notebook Rubric has undergone significant changes
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