TCEA is pleased to announce a new opportunity for students to showcase their learning using technology in our 3D Design Contest. Open to students in grades 9-12 during its pilot year (2016-2017), teams will be tasked with identifying a real-world problem that currently is a limitation to an individual. Then, they will design a solution to that problem using 3D software.
The contest is intended to promote STEM activities for students and encourage them to solve problems with a systematic process. No 3D printer is required in order to enter, which provides a level playing field for all high school students.
The Engineering Design Process
Student teams will need to approach their problem working like a group of engineers and using the Engineering Design Process (EDP). The process is a particular course of action and sequence of operations intended to achieve a result or produce an outcome. EDP consists of the following steps:
- Research
- Plan
- Prototype
- Document and Test
- Commercialize
All teams will be responsible for keeping a logbook (digital version encouraged) where they record notes, ideas, sketches, and documents each time they meet. The logbook should describe in detail each step of the Engineering Design Process during the creation of their invention.
Public school students who do not have access to 3D software may receive free copies of SketchUp Pro from TCEA. The software is normally $495 per license, but is provided at no charge. Private schools may purchase copies of the software for as little as $15 per seat.
How Entries Will Be Judged
Judging criteria will be based on students presenting their step-by-step design process, as well as the documentation from their logbook. In addition, a one-minute (or less) presentation will be created by the team marketing their invention. A rubric will be used to judge the entries and will consist of the following categories:
- Originality
- Feasibility
- Functionality
- Sustainability
Half of the points possible in scoring will be based on the EDP logbook. Students should use the 3D Design Scoring Rubric as a guide for planning their project and presentation. NOTE: The design does not need to be printed out for contest entry, but teams may elect to print out prototypes throughout the process for their own use. Sponsors are invited to provide feedback on the rubric before it is finalized on February 28, 2017. You may view the rubric here and email comments to Holli Horton, TCEA Membership Chair.
3D Design Contest Rules
Students and sponsors will need to follow the rules below:
- Teams will consist of one team sponsor and no more than four students. Students are not allowed to participate on more than one team.
- The team sponsor must be an active TCEA member for the duration of the contest season.
- All teams are required to have a team name that meets common school standards.
- All of the work for the contest must take place between March 1 and March 31, 2017.
- The presentation may be in any format the team prefers as long as it takes no more than one minute to view. This could include video, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, or any other presentation tool. Any material that exceeds the one-minute limit will not be viewed or considered for judging.
- Participants will sign a “Proof of Originality” form stating that their design was created solely by their team.
- A campus may submit no more than one project for judging. If a school has more teams that want to participate, they are encouraged to hold their own local contest and submit the best entry to TCEA.
- Again, no printed design is required for the contest.
Registering for the Contest
Registration for the contest is currently open and is $50 for each participating team. The top five designs will be announced in May and will be awarded trophies for their school and medals for each winning team member. We encourage you to register your team today!
For more information about the 3D Design Contest, please see details on our website.
