MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: Stick Together

Engineering Lab Book: YES

Device & Notebook: Labeled 1) Names 2) School Name 3.) MESA Center

# Team Members: 2- 3 students/team

1. When students arrive to check-in their device, initial sign-in sheet and complete a score sheet for

their team if it has not already been completed.

2. Device must be labeled with students’ full name, school name, grade and MESA

Center device.

i. A 10% penalty in the score will be assessed for failing to properly

label.

3. Check Engineering Lab Book for requirements as specified on checklist.

a. Lab Book for consist of 5 sections:

1) Identify Problem

2) Explore

3) Design

4) Create

5) Try It Out

6) Make It Better

b. Physical copy of lab book must be submitted

c. Missing Lab Book – 50% deduction

d. Incomplete Lab Book – 20% deduction

4. Judge device for Creativity and Engineering Design before start of competition.

a. No criteria for judging Innovative Design

b. Choose top 3 most creatively designed Craft Stick Bridges

5. Check device for compliance to specifications as indicated in the rules to

determine teams qualified to compete.

The bridge MUST meet the following dimension restrictions:

I. a Maximum horizontal length = 17 inches (43.2 cm)

II. Maximum width = 5 inches (12.7 cm)

III. Maximum height above the top of the roadway = 7 inches (17.78 cm)

IV. Maximum depth below the top of the roadway = 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) Minimum

horizontal length = 15 inches (38.1 cm)

V. Minimum width at every point = 4 inches (10.16 cm)

VI. Minimum width of open roadway across entire bridge length = 3.5 inches (8.89

cm)

Additional Requirements

a. Maximum of 200 stick allowed.

a. Parts of stick will be counted as one stick

b. Make sure to remove all excess glue. Excess glue that add to the strength of the bridge

leads to disqualification

c. Maximum of 50% of stick can be glued (front and back of stick is considered)

a. Rule applies to pieces of stick used.

d. I-beams illegal

e. T-sections only used on roadway

f. Bridge must have a clear and unobstructed roadway at least 3.5 inches wide.

g. The bridge may not have a roof, covering or any other object that will interfere with the

3. x 3.inch test plate that is placed directly on roadway at mid span to apply the force for

load bearing capacity.

6. Before the start of the completion

a. Determine the order of the competitors

b. Provide all competitor with overview of rules and any changes

7. Read the During judging, record all measurements for each team

8. After testing bridge calculate Strength to Weight Ratio using formula provide in

Rules

Strength to Weight Ratio = Load on lbs. *(454 g/ lb.)/mass of bridge in gms.

9. Complete Results Sheet provided in judging envelope to indicate winners and submit to

Cathy Douglas.

10. Pack up judging envelop and supplies and return to location of Awards Ceremony

Awards:

Ribbons awarded 1, 2nd and 3rd place for Creativity and Engineering Design

Medals will be awarded for 1, 2nd and 3rd place Strength to Weight Ratio

Categories:

a. 6th and 7th grade

b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: Only 1st Place Strength to Weight winner in each category will

advance to the regional competition on April 13, 2019 at the Bourne Technology Center

in Riverside, CA.

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: MESA Machine




1. When students arrive to check-in their device, initial sign-in sheet and complete a score sheet for


2. Device must be labeled with students’ full name, school name, grade and MESA Center device.

a. A 10% penalty in the score will be assessed for failing to properly label.

2. Check Engineering Notebook for requirements as specified on checklist.


i. Identify Problem

ii. Explore

iii. Design

iv. Create

v. Try It Out

vi. Make It Better






b. Choose top 3 most creatively designed MESA Machines



a. Make sure that the device has dimension no larger than 75 cm x 75 cm x 75 cm

b. The device must be initiated by a single operation (e.g. pull a string, flick a switch, cut a

string, push a button, etc.) provided by the team. The single operation MUST be performed

outside of the Safety Zone (see Supplemental Section).

c. Make sure that it performs 3 – 6 sequential actions which depend on previous action and use

4 different categories of energy.

i. Confirm energy actions and corresponding categories listed on team score sheet

d. Sequential and dependent actions must use a different category of energy/simple machines

e. Use of energy/simple machines not listed will not be counted as actions or categories of

energy/simple machines

f. Categories of Energy are

i. Gravity (e.g. free fall, ramps, etc.)

ii. Springs (e.g. tension springs, bungee cords, rubber bands, torsional springs, etc.)

iii. Pressurized fluids (such as air or water)

iv. Electronics (e.g. DC motors, circuit boards, generators, sensors, etc.) –power will

NOT be provided)

5. Set up Launch Area and Safety Zone for MESA Machine

a. Machine Launch Zone is 75 cm by 75 cm and centered along a 2.25 m wide Distance Zones.

b. Safety Zone is 1.5 m by 2.25 m and centered along the width of the Machine Launch Zone.

c. Distance Zones is 6 m long by 2.25 m wide.

6. Teams have 90 secs to prepare device. Must launch kick ball with 60 seconds of initiation of device.

7. Action to initiate device is not counted toward the 3 – 6 sequential actions.

8. Before state of competition gather to

a. Determine order of competitor

b. Inform competitors of rules

9. During competition, record all measurement on score sheet provided in judging envelop

10. After competition, compute Team Score for each competitor to determine top 3 winners (see rules)

11. Complete Results Sheet provided in judging envelope to indicate winners and submit it to Cathy

Douglas.

12. Pack up judging envelop and supplies and return to location of Awards Ceremony

Awards:


Medals will be awarded for 1, 2nd and 3rd place Total Score

Categories:


b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: Only 1st Place Total Score winner in each category will advance

to the regional competition on April 13, 2019 at the Bourne Technology Center in

Riverside, CA.

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: MESA Tank

Engineering Lab Book: NO

Device Labeled 1) Names 2) School Name 3.) MESA Center


1. When students arrive to check-in their device, initial sign-in sheet and complete a

score sheet for their team if it has not already been completed.

2. Device must be labeled with students’ full name, school name, grade and MESA

Center device.


3. Check submitted project rules for compliance according to competition rules.

a. List of Materials is included

b. General Rules are clearly stated

c. Judging guidelines are clearly stated

d. Three applied mathematics principles are included in the rules

e. Rules are written in the correct format

4. Project MUST be STEM related or based on NAE Grand Challenge

5. Competitors must provide the following

a. 3 copies rules for competition

b. Rules competition for must include:

i. overview of competition, list of materials,

ii. general rules

iii. mathematics principles ( 3 pure math concept and 3 applied math

concepts) related to project

iv. judging guideline

c. Prototype of device ( 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm)

d. Visual Aid (PowerPoint, Poster, Handout etc); must include price of

prototype

6. MUST demonstrate how competition will be judged

7. Teams have 2 minutes to set up and the pitch is 3 mins followed by 1 minute Q & A

8. Before start of competition

a. Determine the order competitors

b. Provide an overview of rules and inform and any changes

9. During competition, record all team scores using score sheet rubric provided in

envelop.

10. After all competitors have presented, calculate score for each team to determine top 3

winners.

11. Complete Results Sheet provided in judging envelope to indicate winners and submit

it to Cathy Douglas

12. Pack up judging envelop and supplies and return to location of Awards Ceremony.

Awards:

Medals will be awarded for 1, 2nd and 3rd place for Total Score

Categories:


b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: Only 1st Place winner in each category will advance to the

regional competition on April 13, 2019 at the Bourne Technology Center in Riverside,

CA.

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: Prosthetic Arm

Engineering La Book: YES



1. When students arrive to check-in their device, initial sign in sheet and complete a score sheet for


2. Device must be labeled with students’ full name, school name, and grade and MESA Center

device.




i. Identify Problem

ii. Explore

iii. Design

iv. Create

v. Try It Out

vi. Make It Better




4. Judge device for Innovative Design using Low Cost Materials before start of competition.


b. Choose top 3 most creatively designed Prosthetic Arms

5. Set- Up Competition Area ( see Competition Set Up Doc)

6. Check device for compliance to specifications as indicated in the rules to determine teams

qualified to compete.

a. Wrist, hand, and fingers must be immobilized.

b. Device must have at least 2 “fingers”.

c. Team have the option to use an Arduino to open and close fingers of device.

7. Devices will be checked for specifications prior to the start of the competition. Teams that are

deemed disqualified after this initial check will still have an opportunity to compete under ALL

of the following conditions:

a. Accept an automatic “Mistrial” and therefore no score for Trial #1.

b. Make repairs/modifications as necessary to bring the device to proper specifications and

be ready to compete when called for Trial #2.

c. Make repairs/modifications only in the designated area as indicated by the judges.

d. Failure to adhere to any of a, b, or c will result in the disqualification being upheld


a. Determine order of competitors

b. Provide an overview of competition rules and any changes

9. Teams have Preparation Time: 60 seconds and Competition Time: 60 seconds

a. Prep Time: Place Bucket with ping pong ball anywhere in Working Area

b. Must show immobilization of hand

10. Teams have 2 non-consecutive trials.

11. Teams can make repairs and modifications may do so, but they MUST be ready to compete

when called for Trial #1.

12. During the competition, record all measurements on the score sheets provided.

a. Bucket can be moved around during trial. Bottom of bucket must be in contact with floor

b. If bucket lifted during trial, it is considered a MISTRIAL

c. The device (i.e. artificial fingers) may only grab and release ONE ping pong ball at a

time.

d. A ping pong ball that is dropped outside the bucket inside the boundaries of the Working

Area must be grabbed by the artificial fingers and released back into the bucket before

attempting to throw the dropped ping pong ball.

e. Ping pong balls outside of the Working Area are out of play and may NOT be retrieved.

f. No part of the device may cross the Launch Line when throwing a ping pong ball.

a. Notify competitor when 30 secs, 20 secs, 10 secs remaining

13. Calculate final score for each team to determine top 3 winners (see rules for details)

14. Complete Results Sheet provided in judging envelope to indicate winners and submit it to

Cathy Douglas


Awards:

Ribbons awarded 1, 2nd and 3rd place for Innovative Design using Low Cost Materials

Medals will be awarded for 1, 2nd and 3rd place Total Score

Categories:


b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: Only 1st Place Total Score winner in each category will advance

to the regional competition on April 13, 2019 at the Bourne Technology Center in

Riverside, CA.

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: Wright Turn Glider




1. When students arrive to check-in their device, have them complete a score sheet for their team.

2. Device must be labeled with students’ full name, school name, and grade and MESA Center device.




i. Identify Problem

ii. Explore

iii. Design

iv. Create

v. Try It Out

vi. Make It Better






b. Choose top 3 most creatively designed Gliders



a. Glider must have must have an identifiable

1. Fuselage

2. Wing

3. Tail b. The glider must contain a feature to adapt to hook on launched




7. Teams that are deemed disqualified after this initial check will still have an opportunity to compete

under ALL of the following conditions:

a. Accept an automatic “Mistrial” and therefore no score for Launch #1.

b. Make repairs/modifications as necessary to bring the device to proper specifications and be

ready to compete when called for Launch #2.

c. Make repairs/modifications only in the designated area as indicated by the judges.

d. Failure to adhere to any of a, b, or c will result in the disqualification being upheld.

8. Teams can make repairs and modifications after device check, but they MUST be ready to compete

when called for Launch #1.

9. Setup launch area for glider. (See competition Set-Up Sheet)

10. There is no size or weight requirement for glider

11. No power other than that from the launcher can be used.

a. Not remote controls allowed.

12. Competitors have 2 minutes to set up glider for launch

a. 30 second countdown to launch Glider.

13. During competition, record all measurements using the score sheet provided.

a. If glider breaks up upon landing, it is allowable

b. If glider breaks up when launching or during launch, it is a MISTRIAL.

c. Gliders must be impounded if not being repaired or launched

14. After competition, determine final score for each team to determine top 3 winners.

15. Complete Results Sheet included in judging envelop to indicate winners and submit it

To Cathy Douglas at end of competition


Awards:


Medals will be awarded 1, 2nd and 3rd place for Accuracy

Categories:


b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: Only 1st Place Accuracy winner in each category will advance to the regional

competition on April 13, 2019 at the Bourne Technology Center in Riverside, CA.

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: Arduino STEM Solutions


Device Labeled 1) Names 2) School Name 3.) MESA Center


1. When students arrive to check-in their device, have them complete a score sheet for their team.

2. Device must be labeled with students’ full name, school name, grade and MESA Center device.


3. For Prelims only have to do

i. Paper (graded prior to competition)

ii. Poster (graded prior to competition)

iii. Prototype Pitch

4. Set-Up Time: 5 minutes

5. Pitch is 3 minutes with 2 minute Q & A.

6. The pitch must include and will be assessed on the following:

i. Client Introduction and Problem Definition

ii. Product

iii. Demonstration of the prototype

iv. Business Value

7. Teams may bring additional audio and visual aids to enhance presentation

8. Judges will provide time signals to presenters at 1 minute before 3 minute time limit

9. Before start of competition a. Determine order of competitors


10. During presentation, record team score using team score sheets

11. After the competition, enter the score into the Excel Sheet to determine final score for each team.

12. Determine the top 3 winner for the Technical Paper, Poster, Pitch and Overall winners.

13. Complete Results Sheet included in judging envelop to indicate winners and submit it Cathy

Douglas


Awards:

Ribbons awarded 1, 2nd and 3rd place for Technical Paper, Poster, Prototype Pitch


Categories:

NONE

Regional Competition: Only 1st Place Total Score winner will advance to the regional competition

on April 13, 2019 at the Bourne Technology Center in Riverside, CA

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: Math Escape Room (PILOT)


Test Labeled: 1) Names 2) School Name 3.) MESA Center


1. Names of team members, school and MESA Center must be written on problem set.

2. Teams will be allowed 2 hours to solve a total of 5 problem sets and “escape” the

escape room.

3. Each of the 5 problem sets may be one question or a series of connected and

dependent.

a. Team will work on problem sets one at a time.

b. Teams must work on the question in order.

4. Pass out to each team an 9x12 envelop with answer sheet and Q#1 sealed in an

envelope.

i. Have team complete answer sheet.

5. Volunteers should set up five stations with envelops for each of the remaining

questions.

a. Once a team has correctly answered the first problem set, they must go to the

station corresponding to the with their completed question sheet and their

envelop

b. A correct answer is required to advance to the next problem set.

i. If the answer is correct record the time of completing on the answer

sheet and your initials next to the question

ii. Once the answer is verified to be correct, team must place the

completed question in the envelop in front of the volunteer and move

to the next station to receive the next question.

c. If the answer is not correct, send the team back to work on the correct

solution.

d. Students are NOT allowed to work on previous questions which has already

been placed in the envelop.

i. If a team removes a question from the envelop to work on it, they are

no longer allowed to compete

6. Inform students when the have 1 hour left , 30 minutes, 10 mins, 5 mins and 1 min.

left in competition.

7. After two hours, collect all of the team envelops.

8. After the competition, determine the final score using the provided answer key and

scoring sheet for each team to determine top 3 winners.

a. Winning teams will be determined by the following:

i. “Escaped” the room with the correct code in the fastest time.

ii. If no teams “escape”, winners will be determined by the fastest times

to complete Sets #1-4.

9. Complete Results Sheet included in judging envelop to indicate winners and submit it

Cathy Douglas


Awards:


Categories:


b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: NONE

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders Competition: Ultimate Disc


Device Labeled: 1) Names 2) School Name 3.) MESA Center

1. When students arrive to check-in their device, have them complete a score sheet for their

team.

2. Names of team members, school and MESA Center must be visible on device.



i. Identify Problem

ii. Explore

iii. Design

iv. Create

v. Try It Out

vi. Make It Better




4. Check disc for compliance to specification in rules. Concrete Disc must satisfy the following

criteria

a. Must be between 8 inches and 12 inches in diameter

b. Must be between ½ in and 2 ins in thickness

c. Must weigh no more than 3 lbs.

d. Carbon mesh cannot show through concrete disc

e. Must have no type of coating that increate hardness or provide a shell.

f. Disc must be solid and dry.

g. The disc can be painted

5. Set Up Launch and Target Zone (see image )

a. Mark of 12 ft. Baseline

b. At 9 ft. on baseline, mark off target 25ft away

from baseline

c. Mark of 2ft by 2ft Testing Zone behind

baseline centered at 9ft mark

6. Weigh all discs

a. Record team disc weight in lbs.in Weight Efficiency

and Durability section of score sheet

b. Determine lightest disc and record weight on

each competitors score sheet




8. Throwing the disc.

a. 1 foot must be planted in testing zone

b. No moving or spinning of planted foot

c. Must throw backhanded

d. 30 seconds to prepare for throw disc

e. 30 sec to throw disc on ‘GO” is called

9. During competition, record all distance of thrown disk for each team

a. Accuracy – Measure distance for “ X”

(see image above)

b. Distance – Measure perpendicular from

edge disc Testing Zone (see image )

10. After competition,

a. Weigh discs and record weigh in

“Weight Efficiency” section of score sheet of

each team

b. Accuracy: Determine the shortest distance from

target and record it in the “Accuracy” section

of the score sheet of each team

c. Distance: Determine longest distance thrown and

record it in the “Distance” section of the score sheet of each team

11. Calculate the score totals for each team to determine to top 3 winners of

a. Creativity and Engineering Design

b. Overall Winner

15. Complete Results Sheet included in judging envelop to indicate winners and submit it to Cathy

Douglas


Awards:

Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for Creativity and Engineering Design


Categories:


b. 8th grade

Regional Competition: NONE

Documents

MESA Day Judging Tips & Reminders