THEMES AND PROBLEMS

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Biotechnology
Career Prep
Challenging Technology Issues
Children's Stories
Coding
Cybersecurity
Data Science and Analytics
Digital Photography

Biotechnology

Biotechnology that supports sustainable cosmetics packaging to reduce waste to landfills

Career Prep

Theme: Select a career from one (1) of the following:

Bioenergy Technicians
Data Architect
Machine Learning Engineer
Nurse Practitioner

Challenging Technology Issues

Topics:

Genetic Testing and Counseling
Animal Testing for Scientific Research
The Use of Drones for Surveillance
Privatization of Space Travel
Nanotechnology in Consumer Goods

Children's Stories

An interactive or pop-up book that focuses on making friends in-person

Coding

To prepare for MS Coding competition, teams should have knowledge of concepts (software development, computer science, and coding topics) that will be on the Coding written test. They also should be familiar and comfortable with using the Scratch programming language.

Scratch is a free visual programming language available from the MIT Media Lab (https://scratch.mit.edu/download). An offline version of the Scratch tool should be downloaded and available on each team’s laptop.

Teams that advance to the semifinalist level, based on written test performance, will perform a challenge using the Scratch programming language. Semifinalist teams will receive the challenge on site and will have two hours to complete it. (PLEASE NOTE: Semifinalist teams MUST have a version of this program available for offline use, as there will be no Internet access available during the semifinalist level of the competition.)

Examples of the types of challenges students may be asked to complete can be found at this link: https://scratch.mit.edu/starter-projects

Cybersecurity

Problem Statement: Byte Inc.'s Internet of things and Bluetooth are acting strangely on devices in the company’s network. Address the potential cause and propose a solution.

Data Science and Analytics

Determine the potential "movie success" of a fictitious feature film based on different public metrics, such as, but not limited to box office revenue, date of release, movie genre (selected by the team), movie production budget, and more.

Digital Photography

Students will take four photographs that fit the theme “Through the Eye of an Animal.”

HIGH SCHOOL

Digital Video Production
Dragster
Drone Challenge (UAV)
Engineering Design
Fashion Design and Technology
Geospatial Technology
Manufacturing Prototype
Music Production

Digital Video Production

Create a short film that includes at least 30 seconds of animation

Dragster

Address weights and lengths only; there are no special design challenges.

Drone Challenge (UAV)

Dinosaur Rescue

Engineering Design

Manage the nitrogen cycle

Fashion Design and Technology

Create a prototype of a marching band uniform for a performance with the theme of “Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.” The prototype must include a type of wearable technology. No pyrotechnics or ignitable elements are permitted.

Teams will submit one (1) or two (2) garments for judging (top and bottom or one [1]-piece.) All required components must fit inside a 32-quart plastic container. Any accessories (hats, gloves, boots, etc.) may be used during semifinalist presentations, however, they are not submitted in the preliminary round.

Geospatial Technology

Identity a disaster threat, natural or otherwise, that may impact your community. Develop an infographic that communicates hazard zones, evacuation routes, and resource distribution.

Manufacturing Prototype

An item that can be used as picture frames for a home or office while also serving another purpose

Music Production

Create a musical piece that will be used as the background music for a role-playing game (RPG) video game. It will be played during the parts of the game when the player’s character is visiting the blacksmith.