Showcase

Please do not arrive more than 60 minutes before your division's testing time.
Please arrive no later than 60 minutes before the end of your division's judging time.
Your team only needs to be present for its division.
Judging is first come, first served, and all teams that arrive by the designated time will be judged.

Arrival

Check in your team and pick up name tags, T-shirt vouchers and queuing pagers.

T-shirts are available for team members and one adviser only. Vouchers will be provided at check-in, and you must present your voucher in the T-shirt area to receive your shirt.

Pit Space and Queuing

Teams will be given a queuing pager and directed to the pit area. One adult adviser is allowed to enter the pit area with the team. This space is designated for teams to relax while waiting to be paged for judging. This is also where team members will pick up their T-shirts.

Teams will have access to an 8-foot table and a few chairs. Teams can use this time to prepare for judging and to ensure their devices have all the finishing touches. The judges will page you to the team judging entrance when it’s your team’s turn. Only team members are allowed in the judging area; parents and advisers will need to walk to the spectator entrance.

Pit Guidelines

Teams may choose any available table.
Only one table per team.
Team members should pick up T-shirts before entering the judging area.
No running in the pits.
Advisers are responsible for supervision in the pit area. One adult adviser is allowed to enter the pit area with the team.
Once a team enters judging, it is not allowed to go back to the pit area. Please do not leave anything on the tables.

Judging

Once a team enters the judging area, members will stop by three stations. At each station the team will meet with two judges. If a team’s device is only partially complete, team members are still encouraged to visit the judging station. Advisers do not accompany the team to the judging area.

Medals and Photos

Each team member will receive a completion medal. Also, teams can take a group photo with their devices. Each participant will receive a copy!

After Judging

Teams will exit the judging area and return to the pit, where parents and advisers can greet their teams. Participants may store their devices in their cars or buses and visit The Tech for free, or have lunch while they wait for the awards ceremony.

Awards Ceremony

We encourage everyone to stay for the awards ceremony, where multiple awards are given (that aren’t just about how well your device performed!) Teams, advisers, parents, teachers, spectators and the public are welcome to the ceremony, which takes place after each competition. There is no charge to attend.

Awards Ceremony times

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Grades 4-5: 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Grade 6: 5 to 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Grades 9-12: 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Grades 7-8: 5 to 5:30 p.m.

The Tech Challenge is a challenge, not a contest. Teams should participate because they want to learn about the engineering process. However, we do recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement with the following primary awards:

Outstanding Overall (3 awards per division)
Outstanding Engineering Journal
Outstanding Engineering Design Process
Outstanding Device Performance
Judges Inspiration Award

Secondary awards
Teamwork Award
Costume Award
Sportsmanship Award
Safety Award
Judges Award(s)