Design Contest Guidelines

#1 - SCIENCE / ENGINEERING PROJECT 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Projects submitted for Option One will consist of full-size or scale models of a physical structure or device, a detailed description of a process, device, or structure, or data obtained from a project involving experimentation. The presentation of the project at the Fair may include posters, photographs, written work as well as any actual device that may have been constructed. The project and any other supporting data or displays will be placed on the table space assigned to the entrant. This space is limited and the physical dimensions of each entry must not exceed three feet (3 FT) in height, width, or depth; nor may it exceed 30 pounds in weight.

For each grade level, the following topics are suggested to provide a thematic background to the Fair. These suggestions are not intended to limit the students. These are topical areas of wide interest technologically and serve as useful guidelines for the students. If a team of students cares to choose a topic not listed, they may do so at the discretion of the teacher/advisor. Check our web page for updates on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Suggested Topics

A.   ENGINEERING THE ENVIRONMENT

-       forms of energy and energy utilization

-       preserving our environment; waste disposal and recycling, product packaging

-       protecting our atmosphere; global warming, ozone

-       how humans and technology impact the environment

B.  ENGINEERING FOR EXPLORATION, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION

-       land, sea, air, and space

-       communication and communication systems

-       robotics, telepresence

-       computers and computer technology

C.   ENGINEERING FOR HEALTH AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

-       genetic engineering

-       artificial organs or limbs, medical devices

-       food production, processing, storage

-       new and novel ways of growing food

PARTICIPATION AND EVALUATION GUIDELINES

1.  The Option One project and all associated presentation materials will be displayed on a table at the Fair. The total physical dimensions are limited to 3ft long x 3ft deep x 3ft high and a maximum weight of 30 lbs.

2.  Each group should bring a poster (approximately 30″ x 40″) clearly displaying the title and grade level along with any supporting details on the project. This will be stood on tables at the fair.

3.      Students participating in Option One must work under the guidance of a teacher or advisor.

4. Students currently in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grades are eligible to submit a project to the E3 Fair. During the design period, participants may consult any resource at their disposal; however, all hands-on work must be done by the group members.

5.  Option One projects may not contain any projectiles or flammable fuels of any sort. This includes but is not limited to gasoline, kerosene, and any acids or bases. The use of electricity is permitted and 120V power will be provided if requested on the Option One Registration Form.

6.  Projects that have been part of a classroom activity or another competition or Fair, may be entered by the group that designed and built them.

7.  Members of a team must belong to the same grade level.

8.  The maximum number to a team is four students.

9.  There is no limit to the number of eligible student groups that may participate in Option One of the E3 Fair from any one school.

10.  A Judging Committee will determine the winners in each grade level.

 Note: For questions / clarifications of the rules, please contact the Chair of the Design Contest Committee.

#2 – SIMPLE MACHINE

Project: A Tractor Pull Vehicle

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Option Two involves an open-ended, hands-on, problem-solving activity. Participants will solve the problem, build their solution, bring their solution to the Fair, and participate in a competition.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

Design and construct a machine, using only parts from one Lego kit (model number specified by the E3 Committee), capable of pulling a basket of weight, with the aid of a pulley, a given distance in a given time. The machine will be placed on a platform provided by the Fair and must support itself without falling over while connected to the basket. The basket and pulley will be provided. The machine must pull itself and the basket to a distance of 50cm within a period of 30 seconds, with an amount of weight selected by the competing team.

TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES:

1.  Only parts contained within one LEGO Simple and Motorized Mechanisms Base Set may be used for the project, that is, #779686 or #9686. Older kits needing the newer motor can upgraded by getting the Power Functions M-Motor #8883, the Battery Box #8881, and the Power Functions 20” Extension Wire #8871.

Please contact the General Chair or the Design Contest Chair for questions regarding the admissibility of a kit, if not specified in the list above.

2.  Neither the box the kit comes in, nor the instruction manual furnished with the kit, nor any parts from additional kits may be utilized to obtain a solution.

3.  No part may be cut, sanded, whittled, polished, or physically altered in any way. No oils, adhesives, tape, glue, or chemical additives of any type may be introduced as part of the problem solution.

4.  The vehicle must rest on the platform surface provided by the E3 committee, Figure 1, during the competition and must support itself while connected to the basket.

5.  The battery pack must be attached to the vehicle and cannot be held by the team members.

6.      The basket, which will be provided by the Committee, is a PVC cup 4 inches in diameter with strings converging to a singular point for attachment to the device. The basket will be rested on the floor as shown in Figure 1 below.

7.  Flat washers, 3/8 inch in diameter, will be used for the ballast weight within the basket. Each washer weighs approximately 0.25 ounces. The tare weight of the basket, approximately 4.2 ounces, will be included in the total weight that will be recorded as the team’s score. (Choosing pre-established weight combinations ensures an efficient use of time and standardization. This information is provided for participants to practice with any combination before the event.)

8.  The vehicle must have an identified location for the attachment of the ‘hook’. The Lego kit contains a hook that is attached to the weight basket via a string.

9.  The hook is aligned to the Start Line as shown in the diagram. The distance between the Start Line and the Stop Line is 50 cm. The vehicle must drag the hook over the Finish Line.

10.  The front of the vehicle for the direction of motion must be determined before the first lift and cannot be changed during the competition.

11.  No modifications will be allowed to the vehicle during the entire competition.

12.  The minimum starting weight will be the weight of the bucket (4.2 oz.) and 4 washers (each weighing approximately 0.25 oz.).

13.  After the weight is added to the basket, the team will have 30 seconds, from the time the vehicle is switched on, to complete the pull/lift. During this time the vehicle has to travel a distance of 50 cm. (This means that the “hook” travels a distance of 50cm from the Start Line to the Finish Line)

14.  Once the vehicle has been initiated, it must continue without human intervention.

15.  ​After a successful lift, the team will continue to add as many washers as it wishes and perform the lift again. The team may continue to do so until the task cannot be completed as specified.

16.  The weight of the last successful lift for which the vehicle travels the distance of 50 cm will be recorded by the judge as the team score.

17.  All design decisions, journal entries, and assembly of the Lego parts shall be performed by the students on the team. They may consult any resource at their disposal for guidance or clarification, such as teachers and mentors while working through the problem-solving process.

18.  There is no limit to the number of eligible student groups that may participate in Option Two of the E3 Fair from any one school. However, the number in each group is limited to a maximum of four.

19.  Decisions made by the Design Contest Committee Chair or by designated representatives are final.

Note: For questions / clarifications of the rules, please contact the Chair of the Design Contest Committee.

OPTION #3 – ROBOTICS

 Project: Robo Hockey

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Option Three involves a robotic design, computer-controlled, hands-on problem-solving activity. Participants will solve the problem, build their solution, bring their solution to the Fair, and participate in a competition.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Design, construct, and program a robot, using parts from a LEGO kit (model number specified by the E3 Committee), to move plastic soda bottle caps from a playing field into a specific goal area, in as short a time as possible. The playing field is a square of 36 inches, in which the caps will be arranged in a predetermined pattern. The robot will be placed in a ‘Start Box’. The robot should fit in the Start Box and its size, shape, and orientation should not change after it has been initiated. During the entire competition, its size should be such that it fits in the Start Box. The robot should be able to get across and into the boundary circle. It can then push, lift, or roll the bottle caps into the goal area for a period of 2 minutes, at which time it should turn itself off. The team score is the number of bottle caps collected in the goal area. The winner is the team that moves the largest number of bottle caps into the goal area in the shortest time.

TOURNAMENT GUIDELINE

1.      Only parts contained within any ONE of the following LEGO Mindstorms kits may be used. The software comes with a site license.

·         Mindstorms NXT kit # 979797 with software version 2.1

·         Mindstorms NXT kit # 5003402 with software version 2.1

·         Mindstorms NXT kit # 991308 with software version 2.1

·         Mindstorms NXT software #2000080 or #900080 (equivalent to version 2.1)

·         Mindstorms EV3 core kit #5003400, using software #2000045

·         Mindstorms EV3 core kit with software #5003462

EV3 software is different from the NXT software and may be a slight advantage to its users

Participants may choose to use Robolab Team Challenge set #9797, accepting the fact that the motors in the NXT and EV3 kits are more powerful and robust.

Lego Education no longer carries NXT products.   You may still use the specified NXT kits/software for this year’s E3 Fair.

Please contact the General Chair or the Design Contest Chair for questions regarding the admissibility of a kit.

2.      No part may be cut, sanded, whittled, polished, or physically altered in any way. No oils, adhesives, tape, glue, or chemical additives of any type may be introduced as part of the problem solution.

3.  The ‘Playing Field’ is shown below in Figure 2. It is laid out on white, masonite, hardboard, that is 1/8-inch thick, using good quality PVC black electrical tape of width ¾ inches where the outer dimensions of the Field is 36” by 36”. The Start Box is also laid out with the same PVC black electrical tape. It is best not to stretch the tape as it is being applied. Also, smooth out any wrinkles so they do not interfere with the robot’s movement. The goal area is marked with walls along three edges made from 1x2 wooden furring strips that are 1¾“in height and

¾” in width. These can be screwed down to the masonite board, as shown.

4.  The plastic soda bottle caps are arranged open side up, as shown and placed in a circle of diameter 18” with one in the center. There are a total of thirteen bottle caps. These caps are commonly found on soda pop/water bottles.

5.  The robot will start from inside the ‘Start Box’ (outside the boundary square) and should fit in this ‘Start Box’. Once it has been initiated, it should not change its shape, size, or orientation during the entire competition. During the entire competition, its size should be such that it fits in the Start Box.

6.  The robot, initiated by the team members, should be able to get across the boundary from the Start Box into the playing field. The robot can then push or roll bottle caps into the goal area.

7.  Once the robot has been initiated, it must continue, without human intervention, until the run is complete.

8.  The robot scores when a cap is completely over the boundary of the playing field (the outer edge of the black tape) and into the goal area. The cap must enter the goal area in the region between the goalposts.

9.  The robot may use the area outside the playing field for turning only. It is not advisable for the robot to leave the masonite board since the edges of the board may be curled in which case it should be capable of climbing back on the playing field again. If it stays outside the playing field for more than 20 sec, the round will be considered over.

10.  The time for the round is 2 minutes at which time the robot should turn itself off.

11.  The team score is the number of bottle caps collected in the goal area over a period of 2 minutes. The winner is the team that moves the largest number of bottle caps into the goal area. In the event of a tie, the winner would be the one with the shortest time. Each team will be allowed two rounds. The better of the two scores will be considered.

12.  All design decisions, journal entries, and assembly of the robot must be performed by the students on the team. They may consult any resource for guidance or clarification, such as teachers and mentors while working through the problem-solving process.

13.  There is no limit to the number of student groups that may participate in Option Three from any one school. However, the number in each group is limited to a maximum of four.

14.  Decisions made by the Design Contest Committee Chair or by designated representatives are final.

For questions/clarifications of the rules, please contact the Design Contest Committee Chair.