Science fair judging software
Science fairs live or die on judging day: dozens of projects, volunteer judges with different levels of experience, and a ceremony that starts at a fixed time. Acanthus keeps every project fairly covered and gives you rankings the moment scoring closes.
No credit card required. 30 entries & 10 judges on the free tier.
Sound familiar?
- — Paper score sheets that have to be collected, read and typed up before the ceremony.
- — Some projects get three judges while others get none.
- — Volunteer judges who don't want to install an app or create an account.
How Acanthus helps
Every project seen at least twice
The coverage planner assigns judges so each project gets at least two independent evaluations, with balanced workloads.
Judges score from their phone
Each judge gets a personal link and a 6-character code. No app, no account, no password.
Grade levels and categories
Set eligibility per award so, for example, junior and senior divisions are judged and ranked separately.
Results before the ceremony
Leaderboards update as scores arrive. Export final rankings, per-criterion breakdowns and certificates in a few clicks.
Questions
Do judges need training?
A short walk-through before the fair is enough. Judges open their link, pick a project and fill in the rubric.
Can I print score sheets as a backup?
Yes. You can print judge invitations and score sheets in case a judge prefers paper.
How much does it cost?
Free for up to 30 entries and 10 judges. Larger fairs pay once per event — no subscription.