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: Stationary Power Lift

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

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

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

Design and construct a machine, using only parts from a Lego kit (model number specified by the E3 Committee), capable of vertically lifting a basket of weights to a height of 4” in 30seconds. The machine will be placed on a platform provided by the E3 committee, Figure 1, and must support itself without falling over while connected to the basket. The basket (also provided by the Committee) will be placed with its center 3 inches from the nearest edge of the platform. The machine must raise the basket, with an amount of weight selected by the competing team, vertically to a height of 4 inches within 30 seconds of beginning the lift. Flat washers, 3/8 inch in diameter, will be used for the ballast weight within the basket. The basket itself will be a 4-inch diameter, PVC cup with strings converging to a singular point for attachment to the participants’ vehicle.

Choosing pre-established weight combinations will ensure an efficient use of time and standardization for the judges. Each flat washer weighs approximately 0.25 ounces. This information is provided so that participants may practice with any combination before the event. The weight of the basket (approximately 4.2 ounces) is included in the total weight that will be recorded for each team.

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 without falling over while connected to the basket. It cannot be clamped in any way, either to the platform or to the baseboard.
The battery pack must be attached to the vehicle and cannot be held by the team members.
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 platform with its center 3 inches from the nearest edge as shown in Figure 1. Note, the basket rests on the same platform as the machine.
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.)
After the washers are added to the basket, the team will have 30 seconds from the time the basket leaves the baseboard to complete the lift.
Once the lift has been initiated, the lift must continue without human intervention until either the lift is completed or the time expires. (Note: Machine cannot be held down by the contestants). No modifications will be allowed to the device during the entire run. The lift will be considered completed when any one of the following occurs

• the basket is raised to a height of 4 inches

• total lift time is 30 seconds

• someone / something intervenes with the progression of the lift.

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: Stationary Power Lift

OPTION #3 – ROBOTICS

Project: Robo Plow

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 of the problem 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), capable of removing Coke cans out of a circular playing field in as short a time as possible. The Challenge platform has a boundary circle of radius 18 inches with 7 coke cans, 6 arranged in a circle of radius 9 inches concentric with the boundary circle and one in the center, Figure 2. The robot will be placed in a ‘Start Box’ outside of, and facing the center of the boundary circle. The robot should be able to get across and into the boundary circle. 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. It can then push or roll cans out of the circle for a period of 2 minutes, at which time it should turn itself off. The team score is the number of cans outside the circle and the time over which this is accomplished. The winner is the team that removes the largest number of cans 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 ‘Challenge Field’ is shown in Figure 2. It is laid out on a white, masonite board, 1/8 inch thick, 4 ft by 4 ft in dimension. The boundary circle and the Start Box are laid out with good-quality, black, PVC black electrical tape of width ¾ inches. 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.
    4. The robot will start from inside the ‘Start Box’, facing the center of the circle, and outside the boundary circle. It should fit in this 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.
    5. The Coke cans (12 oz) are arranged as shown above, six of them placed in a circle of radius 9” with one in the center. The cans are emptied, half-filled with kitty litter, and resealed with duct tape.
    6. The robot should be able to get across and into the boundary circle. The robot can then push or roll cans out of the boundary circle.
    7. Once the robot has been initiated, it must continue, without human intervention, until the run is complete.
    8. A can is counted ‘out’ the moment it is completely over the boundary circle.
    9. The robot may use the area outside the boundary circle 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 boundary circle for more than 20 seconds, 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 cans outside the circle and the time period over which this is accomplished. The winner is the team that removes the largest number of cans in the shortest time. Each team will be allowed two rounds. The best 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. The team members need not be of the same grade level.
    14. 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: Robot Challenge Playing Field

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