2004 Tech Challenge

The Challenge: Design, build, and operate a device that can find and collect one northern pike fish (one free floating, partially submerged plastic fish) from Lake Davis and place the fish within a collection area on shore. The device must start behind the shoreline near the edge of the lake. The maximum time allowed to operate the device is three minutes.

Extra challenge: We’ll add two "native" fish to Lake Davis! Your job will be to collect only the northern pike.

The Scenario: Sierra County’s Lake Davis in Portola, CA is an area known to tourists for its trout fishing. The lake is home to a variety of fish species including golden shiners, brown bullheads, pumpkinseed sunfish, and rainbow and brown trout. Between 1994 and 1997, residents noticed an explosion in the population of northern pike. Northern pike are not native to Lake Davis; the history of the pike’s introduction into the lake is unknown. The presence of this predatory, non-native fish caused a decline in the populations of the native species and in trout fishing.

If this pike population cannot be controlled effectively, the species in Lake Davis are in danger as well as trout fishing tourism. In addition, if these hearty fish travel and survive in the various bodies of water that lead to the Sacramento-San Joaquin river systems, then the commercial California salmon fishery, as well as native fish are all at risk. The Department of Fish and Game and the residents of Portola have developed a plan to control the population of northern pike. However, this plan costs $500,000 per year, requires the intense help of many people, and is not successful at controlling the pike population. Can you help the Department of Fish and Game and the people of Portola come up with an alternative solution to manually collecting and trapping northern pike?

What The Tech will provide: Fish samples will be distributed at the Information Clinic. Each sample includes one "northern pike" fish and two "native" fish. The challenge test rig will be available for viewing at the Information Clinic and challenge trials.

Your entry will consist of 3 parts:

1. Device A device that can find and collect the northern pike and place it within the FIN-ish area on shore.

2. Presentation You have the option of creating a poster-board sign (at least 18"x24") or an electronic presentation (website hosted by The Tech or by you) to help your team with its design methodology review presentation. Your choice of presentation must include the following information: team name, team members, school (s), and grade level(s).

3. Paper-based design journal A design journal is a collection of notes, drawings, and photos that communicate your team’s work on this project, including steps like designing, building, testing, and rebuilding your invention. Typical sections included in the design journal are: project planning, brainstorming, design details, construction/safety, testing, and analysis.