Save Hours on Project Reviews: The New Must-Have Tool for STEM Showcase Organizers

Two overlapping reports from ProjectBoard’s similarity scan feature. One report is marked with a green “Pass” status, while the other has a red “Needs Review” warning. The green "Pass" report shows a project cover image with a note saying there were 0 matches found across the internet for the image.

Stuart McKelvie

Every STEM showcase organizer knows that magical moment: watching students’ faces light up as they proudly present their innovative projects. But behind those moments of triumph lies hours of meticulous review work, ensuring every submission meets the highest standards of originality and academic integrity.

What if you could spend less time on administration and more time creating those magical moments? That’s exactly why we’re thrilled to introduce ProjectBoard’s new Similarity Scanner! 

The Challenge Every Organizer Faces

Let’s be honest – reviewing dozens (or hundreds!) of project submissions is no small feat. Whether you’re running a local science fair or coordinating an international competition, ensuring the originality and authenticity of each project can feel like climbing a mountain. You want to give every student a fair chance to shine while maintaining the integrity that makes your showcase meaningful.

Enter the Similarity Scanner: Your New Best Friend

While building a culture of academic integrity and addressing concerns about plagiarism are part of every showcase, you shouldn’t have to tackle these challenges alone. That’s where our new tool comes in! Our new Similarity Scanner works quietly in the background, automatically checking every submission the moment it arrives. It’s like having a dedicated assistant who never sleeps!

An admin dashboard for ProjectBoard’s showcase builder, displaying a section called “Similarity Scans BETA.” A list of 27 eligible projects is shown, with status indicators such as “Pass” or “Needs Review.” The navigation menu on the left highlights various setup steps, including project templates, categories, and sponsors.

Here’s What Makes It Special:

Instant Verification

  • Every project is automatically scanned upon submission
  • Both text AND images are thoroughly checked
  • Results appear right in your dashboard within minutes
A dashboard interface from ProjectBoard's showcase builder, showing a list of submitted projects under the “Similarity Scans BETA” section. Three projects are listed with different statuses: “Approved,” “Declined,” and “Submitted.” Each project has a title, associated authors and a pass, review, or pending status from the Similarity Scanner feature.

Smart Technology Under the Hood

  • Uses advanced image recognition and text search software
  • Compares submissions against a global database
  • Finds potential matches from across the internet
Two overlapping cards displaying a similarity scan result for a project description. On top, a highlighted section shows text flagged for similarity, with a percentage match and identified top matches. Below, an image attachment with a diagram is also flagged for a match. The background is a gradient of purple.

 Time-Saving Magic

  • No more manual cross-checking
  • Clear highlighting of areas needing review
  • Easy-to-understand similarity reports
A detailed similarity report for a project description, highlighting significant text flagged for plagiarism with a high similarity score of 84.37%. Two websites are listed as Top Matches for the highlighted text. The text is marked in red, indicating a strong match.

Beyond Just Checking Boxes

This isn’t just about catching potential issues – it’s about creating more opportunities to support students in their STEM journey. The Similarity Scanner helps you:

  • Streamline administrative processes so you can focus on participant experience
  • Create meaningful teaching moments around proper research and citation practices
  • Provide timely, constructive feedback that helps students grow

Ready to Transform Your Next Event?

The best part? The Similarity Scanner is included with all paid ProjectBoard plans. Whether you’re organizing your first science fair or your fiftieth, you now have a plagiarism and similarity scanner at your fingertips.

Getting Started is Easy:

  1. Log into your ProjectBoard account
  2. Head to your showcase dashboard
  3. That’s it! The scanner is already working its magic. Each new project submission will be automatically scanned, and results will appear within minutes!

Your Next Step

Ready to make your next STEM showcase even better? Contact our team today to learn more about how the Similarity Scanner can transform your event management experience.

Remember, every hour saved on administrative tasks is an hour you can invest in what really matters – inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators. Let’s make that happen together!