Design Requirements

Launcher Dimensions: No limit on launcher dimensions, but please note the competition will be indoors and must adhere to the safety procedures.

Cost: No cost limit for material procured outside of the given materials. However, teams must maintain a build list with associated costs.

Launcher Controls: Reloader does not need to be autonomous. Launcher must be able to read serial inputs for targeting locations (sample code will be provided). Feedback on previous shot locations will be provided to the teams during the calibration period and Round 3.

Safety: Compressed air or gas launcher systems are not allowed. Launchers must adhere to the Berkshire Innovation Center’s safety procedures (will be provided).

Provided Materials

• Arduino R3 1

• Breadboard 1

• Holder 1

• Jumper Wires Multiple

• USB Cable 1

• 9V Bat Connector 1

• Blue Servo (regular) 3

• Blue Servo (cont.) 1

• Bluetooth 1

• Servo/Motor Shield 1

• Stepper Motor 2

• AA Battery Holder 1

• Sample Projectiles 3

Round 1: Elevation, Azimuth, and Launching Ability Test (15 pts)

Objective

Create a functioning project that can launch projectile in varying directions.

Scoring
5 – Autonomous elevation adjustments (3 points if manual)

5 – Autonomous azimuth adjustments (3 points if manual)

5 – Autonomous launches (3 points if manual)

Round 2: Target Adjustment (15 points)

Objective
Shoot the projectile as far as possible.

Scoring (* scoring may change based on number of teams signed up)
15 – team with the furthest shot

10 – Runner up

5 – Third furthest

3 – Fourth furthest

2 – Fifth furthest

1 – Sixth furthest

Round 3: Target Adjustment (15 points)

Objective

Aim and shoot at three different 1ft x 1ft targets called out on a 10ft x 10ft grid. The three target’s coordinates will be provided on the day of the competition. Each team will have a randomly selected group of targets, each with similar difficulty and range.

Parameters

Groups can place their launcher anywhere along the baseline of the 10’x10’ grid but cannot move it once a final place has been chosen. Teams will be given three shots to hit each target, with 1 minute in between each shot to adjust launcher as needed. Excess shots cannot be carried on to future targets. Teams may not alter their code while other teams are competing.

Scoring

5 – landing in the 1’x1’ target

3 – landing in 3’ x 3’ area

1 – launching projectile

Poster Board & Presentation Competition (15 points)

In addition to the performance test competition, a poster board must be created. This poster should be of professional quality, visually attractive, and demonstrate an understanding of the principles involved in the engineering design process. The maximum size of the poster board shall be no larger than one 3-Fold Poster Board or equivalent surface area of a 3-Fold Poster Board. A list of recommended criteria is given below:

1.       Title (1 point)

2.       Team Name (1 point)

3.       Define the problem statement in your own words. (1 point)

4.       Summarize the goal of the experiment and expected outcome. (1 point)

5.       Describe your design process (Brainstorming ideas/research conducted, assumptions, key decision areas, how final design was chosen, code excerpts, etc.) (Up to 2 points)

6.       Calculations (Ex: muzzle velocity calculations). (1 point)

7.       Engineering Sketch or Engineering Diagram of your design. (1 point)

8.       Budget and Bill of Materials (BOM). (1 point)

9.       Challenges faced during the project. (1 point)

10.   Verbal presentation (Up to 5 points)

See Figure 5 for a poster board example. NOTE: the poster board does not need to be limited to this layout, teams are encouraged to be creative.

Teams are expected to utilize the poster while presenting a short pitch (5 minutes) to judges that all team members participate in.

Calculation of Final Score

The final score will be the sum of the total points from Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and the Poster Board score.

Competition Winners

All participants will receive a certificate of participation. Medals and prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Please note that this is subject to change this year pending our budget that remains in flux as I am sending this to you all.

Additional Notes

Any additional information will be delivered as soon as it becomes available. We plan to provide tutorial packages to the teams to help the students with the coding of their launchers, should they choose to use this method. We do not anticipate changes; however, updates will be sent to the advisors of the teams if questions asked by any team needs clarification.

Upon signing up for the competition, teams will be expected to host two help sessions with a GD employee, as a status check and troubleshooting opportunity.

All information as it becomes available, including FAQs, will be posted on the 2025 GD High School website. GDMS High School Competition (google.com)

Please feel free to participate and collaborate on the forum on the website.

For questions, send emails to: STEM.Pittsfield@gd-ms.com