Fair Schedule

Public Virtual Fair Submissions

Projects may submit an OPTIONAL presentation video for use only in the public virtual fair. Note that these videos may be submitted or updated after the judging, subject to the same rules as the presentation files, EXCEPT that the students' school, grade, age, and/or mentor's name, may be included in the video presentation. These video presentations will play NO role at all in the judging.

Web Meeting Information

The judging sessions will be run by Nokia Bell Labs using GatherTown. This is a graphical user interface that simulates the exhibit hall. The Gather sites will go live on March 3rd and will remain so through the Fair. Note that their are two different links to GatherTown - one for the Category Judging and another for the Special Awards Judging. Please sign on to GatherTown in advance to set up your avatar and become familiar with the interface.

Watch a video demonstrating the platform.
Download a Cheat Sheet of instructions.

For virtual meetings, it is very important to do the following:

Set up for the session in a private room with no background activity.
A headset is strongly recommended.
Students are REQUIRED to use a webcam.

Update March 17, 2022: Two items came to light during the test session on March 16. One of these affects many Mac users.

"MAC users having trouble with their video. Here are the steps to correct the situation.
- a. Click on "System Preferences"
- b. Select "Security & Privacy"
- c. Select "Screen Recording". A list of applications will become visible.
- Select Google Chrome or whichever browser you are using.
- If this does not work, then sign off and rejoin Gathertown using your Safari browser
2. Changing your view so you can see the entire room on your screen
- a. lCheck on the "wheel / gear" icon on the left of the scerreen.
- b. Select "User"
- c. Select "General"
- d. Toggle "Use Smart Zoom" off
- e. "Manual Map Zoom" scale is now available. Reduce your zoom to 100%.

Student Screen Sharing Test for GatherTown: Wednesday, March 16th

A strongly recommended, voluntary session for students to test their connections and screen sharing with technical support. 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Students will first join a Microsoft Teams meeting for initial instructions from Nokia Bell Labs Technical Support. Then everyone will migrate to GatherTown to test their connections and screen sharing.
Links will be provided via your Entry Status Screen.

Category Judging: Friday, March 18th
Each Category will have a virtual exhibit room with a Judges Room attached. Students will be at virtual tables in the exhibit room. Judges will interview students independently and move from project to project.

6:40 - 6:50 p.m. Students sign on to GatherTown Category Judging. Links will be provided via your Entry Status Screen.
Go to the virtual room for your category, go to the table with your project number, and place your avatar on the pink tile.

7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Category judging. Students must remain at their assigned tables the entire time and must use their webcam during interviews.

9:30 - 10:00 p.m. Students will be released from their posters by the Administrator, who will be able to make general announcements in the room. When you are released, you may gather with other students in your category room to interact, and we encourage you to do so.

Special Awards Judging: Thursday, March 24th
Each Special Award will have an assigned virtual room with a panel of judges at the virtual table. Students will move from Award room to Award room according to their judging schedule. Judging times are limited to 15 minutes total for the presentation and Q&A. Students will have at least one open time slot in between judging sessions.
Individual schedules for the Special Awards judging will be posted to your Entry Status Screen by Tuesday, March 22nd.

6:15 p.m. - end of judging Students sign on to GatherTown Special Awards Judging. Links will be provided via your Entry Status Screen.
Students should sign on 15 - 20 minutes before your first scheduled interview. Students should go to the room for your assigned Special Award 10 minutes before the scheduled judging time and await instructions from the Administrator.

6:30 - 9:40 p.m. Special Awards judging. Students must use their webcam during interviews.
Students can hang out in the virtual Relaxation Area in between judging sessions, where you can play games or go to the beach. Just be sure to keep track of the time so you are not late for a judging session!

9:40 p.m. Students sign off of GatherTown when the last judging interview ends.

Awards Ceremony: Saturday, March 26th
Virtual platform to be announced.

9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Students sign on to the web session for the ceremony.

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony hosted by Nokia Bell Labs. Students participate via web session. The public can watch via live-stream.

Category Judging: Friday, March 18th Each Category will have a virtual exhibit room with a Judges Room attached. Students will be at virtual tables in the exhibit room. Judges will interview students independently and move from project to project.
6:40 - 6:50 p.m.	Students sign on to GatherTown Category Judging. Links will be provided via your Entry Status Screen. Go to the virtual room for your category, go to the table with your project number, and place your avatar on the pink tile.
7:00 - 9:30 p.m.	Category judging. Students must remain at their assigned tables the entire time and must use their webcam during interviews.
9:30 - 10:00 p.m.	Students will be released from their posters by the Administrator, who will be able to make general announcements in the room. When you are released, you may gather with other students in your category room to interact, and we encourage you to do so.

Special Awards Judging: Thursday, March 24th Each Special Award will have an assigned virtual room with a panel of judges at the virtual table. Students will move from Award room to Award room according to their judging schedule. Judging times are limited to 15 minutes total for the presentation and Q&A. Students will have at least one open time slot in between judging sessions. Individual schedules for the Special Awards judging will be posted to your Entry Status Screen by Tuesday, March 22nd.
6:15 p.m. - end of judging	Students sign on to GatherTown Special Awards Judging. Links will be provided via your Entry Status Screen. Students should sign on 15 - 20 minutes before your first scheduled interview. Students should go to the room for your assigned Special Award 10 minutes before the scheduled judging time and await instructions from the Administrator.
6:30 - 9:40 p.m.	Special Awards judging. Students must use their webcam during interviews. Students can hang out in the virtual Relaxation Area in between judging sessions, where you can play games or go to the beach. Just be sure to keep track of the time so you are not late for a judging session!
9:40 p.m.	Students sign off of GatherTown when the last judging interview ends.

Awards Ceremony: Saturday, March 26th Virtual platform to be announced.
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.	Students sign on to the web session for the ceremony.
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Awards Ceremony hosted by Nokia Bell Labs. Students participate via web session. The public can watch via live-stream.