Judging Day

The day started off early with our Finalists getting up with enough time to get ready for breakfast at 7:30AM. As we arrived in the dining hall, the lineup was insane. The single line had wound itself around and up the stairs and through a few hallways. Surely it was going to be at least 30 minutes. I guess 500 people thought the same thing as we did in terms of the time frame. Susan and I asked Team South Fraser if they were keen on eating the standard fare of eggs, bacon, sausages etc...and most said they would prefer something lighter (and healthier). With that decision, we went down to the other side and raided the toast, fruit and yoghurt stations which were located outside the main short order kitchen area. This saved time and allowed our team to eat at own pace without rushing. After all, it was judging day and they needed to gather their energy, thoughts and focus on the task at hand.

The crazy single food line that went up the stairs and around several corridors.

Our Finalists had a wide array of judges coming by to see their projects. After speaking to the team, there were plenty of wonderful comments and encouraging feedback given to them. In the report back to Susan and me, all spoke with enthusiasm about how positive their experiences have been with the judges. Nothing could please us more than to hear that they really enjoyed the judging process. 

• Tony had 10 judges come by to see his project on Swarm Intelligence and Policing. He felt very confident and was able to answer all the questions the judges had asked him.
  
  
• Sonia had 13 judges come to see her project on Monitoring Medical Adherence Part 2. They really focused on the ethics piece even though the study has passed by the Fraser Health Authority's Ethic Review Committee....as well as the lead YSF Ethics Commissioner.
   
• James had 12 judges come by to see his Pneumatic Exoskeleton Arm. He was particularly surprised by a group coming by and considering him for a medical innovation award.

• Meaghan had 15 judges review her project on Coal Dust Solutions in South Delta. She says they asked her many interesting and quality questions.
   
• Shelby had 12 judges speak to her about Curley Horses. With all her speaking, Shelby has now lost her voice.
   
• Natasha had 9 judges look at her project on Disinfectants and pH Levels. She felt most didn't understand it at the beginning of her presentation, but by the end, all of the judges did.
   
• Om had 20 judges come by to see his Bullying Tracking Database. His highlight was when they came back a second time to evaluate his project excellence award.
   
• Abhi had 5 judges come to see his project on EMR and Faraday Cages. He said that one of his judges was so amazed by the project that he was speechless. 

All that judging means a lot of talking. This constant rotation of judges certainly makes the time pass by quickly. Unfortunately, due to the restrictive rules of delegates in the Exhibit Hall during judging, Susan and I were unable to take any photos of our Finalists with their projects.

In between morning and afternoon judging sessions, was a very brief lunch break from 12:30PM to 2:00PM. Just so we didn't have to deal with the rush for lunch like we did in the morning, Susan came up with the brilliant plan to pre-order lunch for the team. Three large pizzas were arranged for Team South Fraser at 12:30PM. Prior to that, Susan and I had the table settings, refreshments, and sides ready to go. Our Finalists were able to bypass the super-line-up and go right into eating their lunches. There were many envious teams looking at us. Some waited in line for over 45 minutes and had about 10 minutes to get back to the Exhibit Hall. Unfortunately, this was a logistic that the organizers overlooked.  To our good fortune, Susan's plan gave them 30 minutes of down-time afterwards so they could return to their rooms and freshen up before the afternoon judging session. Susan gets two-thumbs up for that one. Brilliant!

Susan's brilliant idea of pre-ordering the pizza lunch before the mad rush from the Exhibit Hall and setting up our lunch table. We didn't receive any tips for the service...hmmmmm. Susan and I might have to re-think this one.

Judging concluded at 5:30PM and Team South Fraser came back to their rooms to freshen up before being bused downtown at 6:15PM for an evening at the Boyce Farmers' Market for games, entertainment and dinner. This venue is much like our own Granville Island but one-tenth the size, and usually open only on Saturdays. This was a special opening for the CWSF. It was well deserved down-time for them to relax from an intense day of judging.

The women of Team South Fraser: Natasha, Shelby, Meaghan, Sonia, and Susan

The boys of South Fraser: Tony, Om, James, Abhi, and Favian

Silly selfie with Sonia, Meaghan, Shelby, Natasha, Abhi and Favian

Shelby and Meaghan en route to Boyce Farmers' Market

Sonia and Natasha en route to Boyce Farmers' Market

Om and Abhi being silly on the bus to Boyce Farmers' Market

The substitute-parental units for the week.

Boyce Farmers' Market...a smaller version of Granville Island Market in Vancouver.

We deviated from the plan of eating at the market first. Susan and I thought a nice sit-down dinner at a restaurant would be better for them to socialize quietly over a nice meal.  They all were on board for that. The coach bus driver recommended Luna Pizza, a Greco-ItalianTrattoria style restaurant. The food was good and the portions were huge.

Our dining spot tonight. Luna Pizza.

There was more than enough to eat here. No one finished their dish except for James. See that dish in front of him...he ate the entire thing, a Chicken/Rib Combo platter. We don't know where he's put it but it's somewhere. He must have a hollow leg.

We returned to the Boyce Farmer's Market after dinner and joined in for about 75 minutes of fun and games. Om and Abhi really got into the sparring games against each other. The older Finalists were comfortable just sitting back and enjoying the music and social aspect of the night.

Our walk back from Luna Pizza to the Farmers' Market

Sonia and Meaghan about to race through the Double Rush

Abhi and Om racing in the Giant Inflatable Balls.

Om and Abhi speaking to their parents because they didn't contact them today for an update.

 

 

The older Finalists being silly and just chilling.

 

 

Abhi and Om sparring. Who do you think won?

Today was an absolutely exhausting day with judging. An evening of socializing, and relaxing was what Team South Fraser needed. It's off to bed at 10:00PM for an early breakfast at 7:00AM. Tomorrow is another action-packed day of activity and tours around New Brunswick.