1. ANIMATION-This category calls for students to develop an original design with the primary purpose for allowing the motion of objects. Software/resources used to generate animated design includes but is not limited to: Adobe Flash, Powtoon, Scratch, Crazytalk, Kidpix, Stop Motion, Claymation, GoAnimate, Toon Boom, Alice, etc. Animation ranges from gifs to cartoons and other “moving” stories.
2. DIGITAL ART (Digital Photography & Graphic Design)-This category is defined as any computer created or manipulated photo project whose final output is printed. Such projects might be digital photography and graphic design. Sophisticated use of software to the design or photo must show more than simple cropping or the use of a couple of dropdown, menu choices.
The manner of printing may vary from paper to fabric or other manufactured items such as photos, cups, bags, t-shirts as per graphic design.
A hard copy of the finished project must be provided, if feasible.
The student must be able to display the content from the source project files using the program it was created in. Software may include but not limited to Paint, Kidpix, Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, or freehand drawing on a graphic tablet.
Student created artwork that has been scanned (digitized) and then further manipulated must include the original artwork for judges’ review. The student should be prepared to demonstrate to judges how the software was used to create the finished product.
3. HARDWARE MODIFICATION (Limited)-This category is for devices engineered and/or modified by students to serve a specific purpose or meet a specific goal. Device and parts do not have to be new. However, the device must be fully functional. Some examples: Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Makey Makey Projects
4. INTERNET APPLICATIONS-Projects in this category have strength in their use on networks, either the World Wide Web or LANs (Local Area Networks). Projects in this category use web-based software. Examples include web pages, web sites, chat rooms, interactive games, bulletin boards, podcasts and blogs.
Your computer is required to display this project. Internet access will be available at the fair but be prepared in case it is not. All links must be captured one level deep.
May include student designed web pages or web sites, interactive newsletters, interactive games, drag and drop coding. Examples of software include Wix, Weebly, Freewebs, Google Sites, Blockly, Scratch, Kodu, MIT App Inventor, etc. Your computer is required to display this project.
Mobile Device App inventing software is also included in this category. If a mobile device application is developed, that device must be brought to the competition so the final product can be demonstrated.
5. MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS-Multimedia projects are computer-based reports or creative presentations using any combination of sound and/or images with text. Possible software used for projects in this category include but are not limited to: PowerPoint, KidPix, AppleWorks, Astound, Storybook Weave, HyperStudio, Photostory, Google Slides, Prezi, etc.
Any hyperlinks need to be captured one level deep since Internet access will not be guaranteed. The computer is required to display the project.
Multimedia is defined as a presentation combining sound and/or motion with text. Sound may include voice, music, or natural or man-made sounds and effects that are part of the software, found on the Internet, or created and imported by the student.
Presentations that are taken from still images and manipulated into moving sequences with voice-over or background music belong in Multimedia and not in the video category, even though they can be edited with iMovie or similar video editing software.
6. PRODUCTIVITY DESIGN-This category is defined as any student created, computer-generated project that uses desktop publishing or general productivity software.
Entries can be developed from various non-multimedia application programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases or any other non-multimedia software.
This category includes, but is not limited to: calendars, compelling charts and graphs, digital books, brochures, graphic organizers, newsletters, etc.
Hard copies of projects may be displayed at original size to show the judges, but no large displays are allowed, including tri-board displays.
7. VIDEO PRODUCTION-This category is defined as any original video project that has been edited on a computer with digital video editing software and exported into a digital video format. The completed project must be displayed for viewing on a computer.
The focus of this category is on the editing process. Original video content used in this kind of project may come from the student or it may be obtained from other permissible sources. Regardless of its origin, all content used must be properly cited in the project. Tools and resources in this category may include but are not limited to: Camtasia Studio, iMovie, Pinnacle, Windows Movie Maker, etc.
Photographs can be used in combination with filming and editing process. However, still photographs with voiceover or music, should be entered in the Multimedia Presentation category.
Original video content used in this kind of project may come from the student or it may be obtained from other permissible sources. Regardless of its origin, all content used must be properly cited in the project. Tools and resources used in this category include but are not limited to: Camtasia Studio, iMovie, Pinnacle, Windows Movie Maker, etc.
8. WEBSITE DESIGN-This category includes, websites created through manual coding.
Students should be able to use HTML, or an applicable program (i.e. Dreamweaver) for this project.
The use of programs such as Weebly, Wix, Freewebs, or any other program that allows students to drop and drag content should be under Internet Applications. There should be at least three separate pages that are hyperlinked together. At least three external links to “outside” information are also required.
9. ROBOTICS-Projects may be constructed from kits or published 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.
Examples of commercially available kits are robotic “arms” or robot movers, Lego and K’Nex style building kits, Capsella, VEX, and Technics style robotics kits.
Devices controlled through direct, real-time remote control by the student are not appropriate (i.e.: remote controlled cars). Once started, the robotics project should operate as a stand-alone independent machine without human interaction.
Direct, real time control through student-inputted computer commands to the robot via hard-wire, Bluetooth or other telecommunicated control by a computer may be used. A student designed, laptop driven/computer driven “joy stick” style controller is permitted.
All entries must be a working piece of electronics. Mechanical and motor driven devices must be controlled by computers, either hard-wired or remote, which are programmed by students in order to be eligible. Students must be able to show they have written the programs to control such devices.