What is the challenge for 2024?? 

Pennsylvania agriculture contributes $132.5 billion to our state economy annually and supports more than 593,600 jobs, paying wages of $32.8 billion. Did you know that farmers use robots to help them? “High-tech Farming” is important especially as our population grows and food demand increases. Your team is being challenged to help our Pennsylvania farmers by creating an agricultural robot or other type of “high-tech farming” equipment that they could use.

Additional Middle School Challenge

Teams competing in the grades 6-8 division will also be asked to present a budget for their project. They will need to inventory each K’Nex piece they use and list a price for each piece. They will need to present their inventory and the overall cost of their project.

Rules:

• A team of 2-4 students will work together on the project.

• Students must create their prototype using K’Nex including at least 1 motor.

• Each team will need to create and submit a design notebook and a blueprint.

• Each team will need to prepare a presentation (max 2 minutes) on their model and how they answered the challenge.

• Schools must bring their K’Nex pieces unassembled on the day of the competition.

• Students will have 2 hours to put together their project at the competition.

• Each team will need to bring a design notebook and blueprint to the competition.

Awards:

• Awards will be given to top three teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8

• The 1st place team in each division (grades 4-5 and grades 6-8) at each Intermediate Unit regional competition will advance to the state competition.

The state competition will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.