Robotics

Want to make mechanical marvels and mesmerize the masses? If so, consider presenting a project centered around robotics. Projects in this category may be constructed from kits or published schematic drawings, modified from other devices to create new applications, or constructed from the student's own concepts and designs. All entries must be a working and functional piece of electro-mechanical hardware in which movement and intent is controlled through student created programming. Devices controlled through direct, real time remote control by the student are not appropriate. For example, remote-controlled cars and other devices will not be accepted. Once started, a robotics project should operate as a standalone independent machine without human interaction. Students may create their own robotics project or make use of commercially available kits with robotic "arms" or robot movers from sources such as:

• Hummingbird
• K'Nex
• LEGO
• Lynxmotion
• MOSS
• Owikit
• Parallax
• Pololu
• VEX

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping. Regardless of the length of the project, the judge time is 15 minutes. Judges may only view a portion of the actual project.

Judges will use the Robotics category rubric as a guideline for exemplary characteristics of projects in this category. Students should use the rubric as a guide for what judges are looking for.