Award Categories
Best Entry Grand Prize (1st place) & Best Overall (2nd, 3rd places)
This award is based on the team’s efforts in two categories: the device test and the design methodology review. Scoring high marks in both categories will earn teams this top award. For the device test, the team must complete the challenge within the given amount of time, collect the northern pike fish, and place it within the FIN-ish area. See the design methodology review section for details on that component of this award.
Best Extra Challenge Entry Grand Prize (1st place)* & Best Overall – Extra Challenge (2nd, 3rd places)*
This award is given to teams who decide to participate in the extra challenge and is based on the team’s efforts in two categories: the device test and the design methodology review. Scoring high marks in both categories will earn teams this top award. For the device test, the team must complete the challenge within the given amount of time, collect the northern pike fish, and place it within the FIN-ish area. See the design methodology review section for details on that component of the award category.
Design Journal and Methodology Review (1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes)
This award is based on your paper based design journal and a short presentation your team gives before judges. In this presentation, your team will show and share your design journal, which is the documentation of your team’s thoughts and design process as you worked toward a challenge solution. Topics that judges focus on can include: project objectives, team roles and responsibilities, project schedule and budget, brainstorming ideas, meeting notes, selected designs, construction plans, test results, design modifications, as well as what you learned. Your device does not need to be successful to win this award.
Best Online Presentation *
This award is given to teams that have used the web as a way to present and “market” their team and device in an informative and creative way.
Best Poster*
This award is given to teams that have used a poster board as a way to present and “market” their team and device in an informative and creative way.
Best Team Spirit*
Given to teams that show great teamwork and positive attitudes.
Best Costume*
Given to teams whose costumes are especially creative (i.e. some teams have costumes that reflect some aspect of their design or the scenario)
Best Looking Device
This award is given to the team with the slickest looking device! The device does not have to successfully complete the challenge to receive this award.
Most Spectacular Failure
On your path to success, failure is often your most important teacher. This award honors these failures that happen to occur at competition time. This award is presented to the team whose device is unsuccessful in the grandest way.
Most Autonomous Device
This award is given to the team whose device can best complete the mission on its own! In other words, you could be half way around the world and the device could still perform the task without your help.
Fastest Device
This award is presented to the team whose device successfully completes the challenge in the shortest amount of time.
Most Creative Design
This award is given to the team who comes up with a unique and innovative solution to the challenge.
Most Courageous Team
This award is presented to teams who have persevered despite great setbacks that could have threatened their entry into the Tech Challenge. Advisors can nominate their teams before and up to the date of The Big Day. (Nomination forms will be available in April 2004).
Best Design Valued Under $50
This award is presented to teams whose device has a PERCEIVED value of under $50. In other words, if your device uses Lego Mindstorms you receive for free, the device still has a perceived value of more than $50 (even if it cost you nothing). Therefore, your entry would be ineligible for this award.
Best Use of Eco-Friendly Materials
This award is presented to teams who creatively use recycled or recyclable materials to build their device.
Best Rookie Team
This award is given to a rookie team who best encompasses the spirit of the Tech Challenge. This must be the first Tech Challenge for each team member and advisor in order to be eligible for this award. The device does not have to be successful to win this award.
* These awards are either new or modified from last year’s competition.
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