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The University of Western OntarioFaculty of EngineeringUndergraduate Engineering SocietyWestern Engineering Competition 2015

Western Engineering Competition

Communications

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Competition OverviewThis competition challenges competitors to describe a complicated technical process or issue in terms that the general public can understand.

Team CompositionThe Engineering Communications team will be comprised of one (1) or two (2) competitors currently enrolled in Western Engineering’s undergraduate program.

Topic EligibilityA topic should adhere to the following criteria:

Describe a complex technical process, subject, or issue (‘topic’); The presentation must develop an opinion of said topic; The presentation must discuss the political, economic, environmental,

social, and technological impacts of the topic, if applicable; and, A final solution/recommendation should be drawn regarding the topic in

question.

Provided ResourcesThe following equipment will be available for use by the competitors during their presentations:

One (1) Digital Projector; One (1) Table; Blackboard(s) and/or Whiteboard(s); and, One (1) Computer.

Permitted External ResourcesCompetitors will be allowed to bring in a personal computer or USB containing the contents of their presentation.

Presentation Dress CodeCompetitors will be expected in either business formal or business casual attire as defined by the University of North Carolina’s Student Affairs Office (see https://careers.unc.edu/sites/careers.unc.edu/files/What%20to%20Wear.pdf for details). Any deviation from this standard will result in a 5% grade reduction. If there are any issues with meeting the standards of the dress, please address the Competition Director directly.

Procedure/Timeline

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Pre-Competition PeriodAt least 4 days (96 hours) prior to the competition, the team must submit a presentation abstract. The abstracts will be reviewed by the Competition Director to assess the suitability of the presentation for inclusion in the Communications Competition. It will be distributed to the judges for information at least 2 days (48 hours) prior to the competition. The abstracts will also be distributed to all WEC competitors upon arrival at the competition.

The abstract must describe the presentation topic in no more than 200 words. It must also state the competitor’s/competitors’ names along with their year and area of discipline.

Presentation PeriodCompetitors have ten (10) minutes to present the topic in detail, explained in terms that the public can understand. They must also present the political, economic, environmental, social, and technological impacts of the topic and their overall positive and/or negative effects. Finally, the competitors must provide critical discussion and analysis into their topic and a final recommendation or solution in relation to the discussed topic.

Question PeriodFollowing the presentation period, the judges will be allocated a five (5) minute question period. If time permits, the audience may also be allowed to ask questions.

TimekeepingThe following rules must be adhered to during the competition:

1. The time must be stopped when a judge asks questions during the question period.

2. The time must be started when a team member responds to a question asked by a judge during the question period.

3. The remaining times must be indicated to the competitor(s): 5 minutes, 2 minutes, and 1 minute before the end of the presentation.

4. Any presentation exceeding the allotted time period will be allowed a 1-minute grace period where two (2) marks will be deducted for every 20 seconds over. The presentation will be stopped after this grace period is finished.

5. The timing of the question period after the presentation shall be for information purposes only.

Presentation OrderThe order of the presentations shall be determined randomly. Competitors shall be informed of their presentation time at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance.

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Deliverables

Presentation AbstractPrior to the competition, the team must submit a presentation abstract. The purpose of this abstract is for the judges and organizers to be prepared.

The abstract must describe the presentation topic in no more than 200 words. It must also state the competitor’s/competitors’ names along with their year and area of discipline.

Presentation SlidesCompetitors must supply a soft copy of their presentation to the Competition Director twelve (12) hours prior to the start of presentations. These slides will be used to aid the judges in understanding the topic while being able to keep notes and provide feedback when necessary and desired.

JUDGING MATRIX

Introduction To Topic

Topic Clearly PresentedAppropriate Level of Language

Interest Elicited by TopicAccuracy of Explanation

10555

Critical Analysis

Political, Economic, Environmental, Social, and

Technological Impacts (Where Applicable)

Quality of Arguments1510

PresentationVoice and Articulation

Visual AidsTiming

151510

Abstract Quality of WritingEffective Communication

55

Total Marks 100