The problem solving competition is designed for teams of college students from TECA affiliated chapters.  The competing teams will receive contest details, tools, and materials necessary to develop a solution to a specific problem.  Each team is responsible for bringing along the tools noted on the enclosed.

TEAM:

Each team will be composed of three to five students who are members in good standing of a TECA affiliated chapter.  The team may not be composed of over 40%  graduate students.  One team member should be designated as the leader of the school's team.

PROCEDURE:

1.  All members of a team must be present at the announced location and time for the start of the competition.

2.  Each team will receive contest details, tools, supplies, and related materials necessary for a problem to be solved specifically for the competition.  The solution to the problem must be created using the materials provided.

3.  Each team will develop a solution to the problem by:

    a.  Brainstorming the problem and developing a list of possible solutions.
    b.  Identifying the solution that has the best potential for solving the problem.
    c.  Preparing a sketch of the device that is part of the selected solution.
    d.  Constructing the technological devices that are part of the selected solution.
    e.  Testing and evaluating the device that is part of the selected solution.
    f.  Describing how the device solved the problem.

4.  Each team will work in a designated area.  All construction work must be done in the assigned area with the materials provided.  Also, appropriate safety procedures must be followed during the construction and testing phases.

5.  Forms for sketches and procedures will be provided and are to be turned-in for evaluation at the end of the contest.

6.  The solution to the problem must be completed and tested within the time announced for the activity.

7.  Judges will evaluate the device built to solve the problem, related sketches and forms, and will witness the actual solution to the problem.

8.  Each team is responsible for cleaning?up their area at the end of the contest.

TOOL AND MATERIAL LIST:

Basic Kit

A basic material kit will be provided each team by the National TECA Contest Office.  The contents of the kit may vary by competition or site, usually depending upon the design challenge for that site.  The standard kit will include the following:

    Ping-pong ball
    Golf ball
    Pulley
    Tongue depressor
    Popsicle stick
    Candle
    Mouse trap
    Steel washers
    Straight pins
    String
    Thumb tacks
    Index cards
    Skewers
    Paper clips
    Contact paper
    Balloons
    Nails
    Velcro
    Hinge
    Soda straws
    Pipe cleaners

On-Site Supplies

On-site items will be provided each team by the local TECA Contest Coordinator, again depending on the challenge.  Examples of these materials are listed below:

    3/4 or 1"    12" x 24" foam insulation board (1 each team)
    1/4" and 3/8" dowel (2 each)
    Small pieces corrugated board (2-3 each)
    Sand (1 cup full or 1 pound)
    8 or 10 oz. & 16 oz. paper cups (3-5 each)
    White bond paper (10 sheets)
    File folders (5-8 each)

Team Tools and Supplies

The following items must be provided by each team and includes the only tools that may be used regardless of the specific design problem:

    Utility knife
    Coping saw
    Needle nose pliers
    Rulers
    Triangles (30°/60° & 45°)
    Sander
    Scissors
    Pencils
    Tape rule
    White glue
    Hot glue gun
    Portable drill & bits
    Hot wire (Syrofoam) cutter
    Masking tape (3/4" or 1")
    Clear tape (1/2" or 3/4")
    Matches / lighter
    Calculator

Special Supplies

    Special supplies required to solve the design problem may be provided each team.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

1. Solution Design / Total of 30 points

    Brainstorming (10 pts.)
    Sketches  (10 pts.)
    Creativity (10 pts.)

2. Solution Fabrication / Total of 10 points

    Construction (10 pts.)
    Planned Aesthetics
    Fabrication
    Complexity

3. Solution Testing and Evaluation / Total of 20 points

    Test Procedures (10 pts.)
    Evaluation (10 pts.)

4. Solution Output / Total of 30 points

    Fabrication (10 pts.)
    Quality of the solution / device

    Results (20 points)
    Note / Typically 2 trials allowed maximum

5. Rule Violation / Maximum deduction of 10 points

TOTAL POINTS  100 points