Categories

Individual and Team Programming Challenge

This category is an on-site event in which one student is given a series of problems that s/he must solve during the two-hour competition time.

Any questions regarding interpretation of the problems must be submitted in writing to the judges who may choose to answer or reject the question. The decisions of the judges are final.

Each individual will be awarded points for each problem solved correctly. Programs will also be judged on structure, design, and organization. In the event of a tie, two or more individuals may be declared winners.

Competition will begin with a briefing session. The contest problems will be distributed to all teams at the same time. At the end of the two hours, the projects will be submitted for judging. The judges will use the contestants’ computers to check the solutions to the problems. Results will be announced at an awards ceremony.

Each contestant is required to bring the computer of their choice, appropriate operating system software, and programming software with which to compete. Students must also bring two non-initialized disks, a power strip and extension cord to the test site. Contestants may bring an additional computer only for emergency situations in the event that one computer does not function. However, back up computers must remain unplugged and may not be used unless permission is obtained from one of the judges. Contestants may bring to the contest only the manuals for their computers. Any contestant using other resources including textbooks, published program listings, notes, or disks other than the blank ones submitted at the end, will be disqualified.

Contestants will not be permitted to communicate with their advisors. No visitors will be allowed in the testing areas. Contestants will be monitored on a random basis. Each contestant must be able to enter their programming code, execute the solutions to the problems and save them on the disks that will be submitted to the judges.

Due to the advanced level of this category, it is open only to grades 7-12.

Team Programming Challenge:
This category is the same as the above, except that teams of two members may participate.
 

Back to Top

Case Modification

A student may decorate, paint, add lights or moving parts to any working computer. Use your imagination and fancy up those computers for a fun event! This is an individual event, not team.

Back to Top

Hardware

This category is for student built computers. Parts do not have to be new, but the operating components of the computer should be essentially built or put together by the student. The case modification category is for modifications to the non-electronic parts (the case or enclosure). For any component such as a floppy drive or CDRom, the student should be able to demonstrate that the system recognizes it and can access it. There should be a purpose for building the computer and the components should match that purpose. (Ex: An appropriate video card that would support video editing or gaming). Because of the specialized nature of the competition, this competition is open to 7th grade and above only.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Digital Video Editing

This category is defined as any video project that has been edited on a computer with digital video editing software such as iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, Pinnacle, or other software. The project must be displayed for viewing on a computer.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Animated Graphic Design

This category is defined as an original design with the primary purpose for allowing for the motion of objects. Software may include, but not be limited to, Flash, KidPix, etc.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Non-Animated Graphic Design

(Note: Computer display IS required but not shown here)

This category is defined as any computer created original art project. This category does not include photography or 3D design projects (see below). Software may include, but not be limited to, Paint, KidPix, Photoshop, Corel Draw, Illustrator, or Free Hand. The project must be displayed on the computer in the program in which in was created. A hard copy of the finished project may be displayed.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Digital Photography

(Note: Computer display IS required but not shown here)

This category is defined as any computer created original project using photographs. Software may include, but not be limited to, Photoshop, Corel Draw, Microsoft Photo Editor. The project must be displayed on the computer in the program in which it was created. A hard copy of the finished project may be displayed.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

3D Modeling

This category is defined as any original artwork that had been created and can be modeled in three dimensions. Software may include, but not be limited to, Maya, AutoCad, Sketch Up, and Light Wave.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Web 2.0 & Internet Applications

Examples of Internet application projects include web pages, web sites, chat rooms, interactive games, bulletin boards, and blogs.

Your computer is required to display this project. Internet access will not be available at the fair. All links must be captured one level deep. No tri-board displays.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation all entries.
 

Back to Top

Multimedia Applications

Multimedia projects are defined as computer-based reports or creative presentations using any combination of sound and/or images with text. Possible software used for projects in this category include but are not limited to: Power Point, KidPix, AppleWorks, Astound, Storybook Weaver and HyperStudio. If appropriate to the project, a storyboard may be included in the students’ notebooks to show sequencing of project creation.

Videos do not go in this category. Any hyperlinks need to be captured one level deep since Internet access will not be available.

Grade levels for this category are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Your computer is required to display your project.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Non-Multimedia Applications

(Note: Computer display IS required but not shown here)

Entries can be developed from various non-multimedia application programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases or any other non-multimedia software. This category includes, but is not limited to, desktop publishing projects. No tri-board displays.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Project Programming

Projects in this category are self-executing programs created using recognizable programming languages such as BASIC, C++, Pascal, LOGO, etc. All parts of the program must be the author’s own design. Programs must be identifiable in one of the three following categories:

1. Computer-aided instruction or educational/learning games.
2. Business or commercial applications.
3. Personal applications that, with minor alterations, could be marketed for larger commercial audiences.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Robotics

Projects may be constructed from kits or published schematic drawings, modified from other devices to create new applications, or constructed from the student’s own concepts and designs. The projects must have some obvious relationship to the computer and controlled through student created programming. All entries must be a working and functional piece of electronics. Examples of commercially available kits are robotic "arms" or robot movers, Lego and K'Nex-style building kits, Capsella, and Technics style robotics kits.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Technology Literacy Challenge

Online exams will be given on-site for each of the grade level categories. The exams will have 50 multiple-choice questions. Questions will be vocabulary and concept oriented. They will come from the following topic areas:

History of computers
Parts of the computer
Peripheral computer devices
Uses and limitations of computers
General uses of common computer applications software
New and emerging technologies
The Internet
Social implications of computers
General programming (Level III, Grades 9-12, only)
Questions for the Technology Literacy Challenge will come from information generally available in textbooks and reliable sources on the Internet. A suggested list of resources is available on the Fair web site. Computer magazines and television programs have discussed some of the social implications of computers. An oral exam may be used as a tie-breaker of three or more students.

Suggested Resources for the Technology Literacy Challenge:

Gookin, Dan. PCs for Dummies. IDG Books. January 2000.
ISBN: 0764581309

Maran, Ruth. Computers Simplified. 4th Edition. IDG Books. September 1998.
ISBN: 0764560425

Maran, Ruth. The Internet and World Wide Web Simplified. IDG Books. October 1999.
ISBN: 0764534092

Rathbone, Andy. Windows 98 for Dummies. IDG Books Worldwide. June 1998.
ISBN: 0764502611

White, Ron. How Computers Work. 5th Edition. MacMillan. 1999.
ISBN: 0789721120

Wingate, Phillipa. The Internet for Beginners. EDCP. August 1997.
ISBN: 881109290

For younger students:

The Computer Age. Modern Media series. Barrons Educational Series. March 2000.
ISBN: 076411667

Kalman, Bobbie. The Computer from A to Z. Crabtree. March 1998.
ISBN: 0865053790

Parker, Steve. Computers. 20th Century Inventions Series. Raintree Steck-Vaughn. April 1997.
ISBN: 0811728110

White, Nancy. The Magic School Bus Gets Programmed: A Book About Computers. Scholastic.

Wright, David. Computers. Inventors and Inventions Series. Benchmark Books. January 1996.
ISBN: 0761400648
 

Back to Top

Judaic Non-Multimedia Application

This entry is for regional competition only.
 1st place DOES NOT go to State.

Entries can be developed from various non-multimedia application programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases or any other non-multimedia software. This category includes, but is not limited to, desktop publishing projects. No tri-board displays.

You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.

There will be a 15 minute time limit on the presentation of all entries.
 

Back to Top

Judaic Multimedia Application

This entry is for regional competition only.
 1st place DOES NOT go to State.

Multimedia projects are defined as computer-based reports or creative presentations using any combination of sound and/or images with text. Possible software used for projects in this category include but are not limited to: Power Point, KidPix, AppleWorks, Astound, Storybook Weaver and HyperStudio. If appropriate to the project, a storyboard may be included in the students’ notebooks to show sequencing of project creation.

All multimedia entries should be able to be judged within a 10 minute time frame. Videos do not go in this category. Any hyperlinks need to be captured one level deep since Internet access will not be available.

Back to Top