Design Contest Guidelines

Download Guidelines for Design Contest

#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).

PARTICIPATION AND EVALUATION GUIDELINES

1. 1. 1. 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: Obstacle Course

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 negotiating a track which has been fitted with several small obstacles and is inclined at an angle of 100. The track will be provided at the Fair. The machine will be placed on the track and must support itself without falling over. The vehicle must successfully negotiate the entire course, from “start to “finish,” to properly qualify for the competition. The time of the run, from a marked start and finish line, will be recorded. The shortest elapsed time will be considered the first-place vehicle. The layout of the track is shown in the diagram below.

TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES:

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.

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.
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.
The device must rest on the platform surface, provided by the E3 committee Figure 1, during the entire competition, and must support itself.
The battery pack must be attached to the vehicle and cannot be held by the team members.
The maximum time for the run is 30 seconds.
The vehicle must successfully negotiate the entire course, from “start to “finish” to properly qualify for the competition.
Once the vehicle has been initiated, it must continue, without human intervention, until the run is complete.
The team will be allowed two timed runs. The best of the two times will be recorded for the competition. Between the two timed runs, minor adjustments to the vehicle will be allowed. This should be done without adding or removing parts or changing the configuration. The time for such adjustments would be limited to 2 minutes.
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.
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. Team members need not be of the same grade level.
Decisions made by the Guidelines Committee Chairpersons or by designated representatives are final.

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

Figure 1: Obstacle Course

OPTION #3 – ROBOTICS

Project: A-MAZE-ing Robot

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 one LEGO kit (model number specified by the E3 Committee), to navigate a maze from the “Start” box to the “Finish” box. The playing field is a square of 48 inches, in which there are walls, most of which are constructed of wood, and some parts are black electrical tape. The robot will be placed in the ‘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 cannot climb over any wall or cross any tape except the ones across the “Start” and “Finish” boxes. The winner is the team that navigates the maze in the shortest time.

TOURNAMENT GUIDELINE

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. 1. No part may be cut, sanded, whittled, polished, or physically altered in any way.
    2. No oils, adhesives, tape, glue, or chemical additives of any type may be introduced as part of the problem solution.
    3. The diagram of the ‘Playing Field’ is shown below in Figure 2. It is a white masonite hardboard that is 1/8-inch thick. All the walls are 1x2 wooden furring strips that are 1¾“ in height and ¾” in width. These can be screwed down to the Masonite board. The black lines are PVC black electrical tape ¾” in width. It is best not to stretch the tape as it is being applied. The 2 ft by 2 ft crossed walls in the center of the playing field are centered on the masonite board.
    4. The robot will be placed in the ‘Start Box’. It should fit in the Start Box, and its size, shape, and orientation should be maintained during the entire competition once it has been initiated. During the entire competition, its shape, size, and orientation should be such that it fits in the Start Box. It cannot change its orientation and become elongated or grow in size. At any time during the entire competition, the orientation that it competes in should be such that it fits in the Start Box.
    5. The clock will start when the team members initiate the robot. The robot has to cross the tape of the “Start Box” to get on the Playing Field. Once the robot has been initiated, it must continue, without human intervention, until the round is complete.
    6. The robot has to be completely in the “Finish Box” to end the round. The Stop Time will be established when the robot completely clears the inner edge of the “Finish Line”.
    7. The robot cannot cross the tape that is placed equidistant between the “Start Box” and the “Finish Box”. (See diagram for clarification). It has to navigate through the maze.
    8. The robot cannot climb over any wall. It has to navigate around the walls.
    9. The winner is the team that navigates the maze in the shortest time.
    10. Each team is allowed two rounds. The better of the two times will be considered.
    11. 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.
    12. 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. The team members need not be of the same grade level.
    13. Decisions made by the Guidelines Committee or by designated representatives are final.

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

Figure 2: A-MAZE-ing Course

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