North Texas Regional Rules

These rules are in addition to or in clarification of the complete list of rules in the Teacher Handbook.

Teams

  • Teams consist of three 6-8 grade students, one teacher, one mentor (you gotta have one)
    • Students must be from the same school, but not necessarily from the same class or even the same grade.
  • Schools may enter as many teams as they like (more than 10 teams per school will require Regional Coordinator approval). All teams can compete in the Regional Competition (see competition rules below)
    • Or, schools may work as a class (or classes) and select the three students (one team) that will represent them at the competition.
    • Or, schools may have multiple teams and hold their own run-off to select the best team to represent them at the regional competition.

Computer Model, Essay and Narrative

  • Turn in the SimCity, Essay and Narrative files by uploading them to the Team Center
  • Essay and Narrative are to be submitted in electronic format (not on paper, please)
    • Use a common document format - .doc or .pdf preferred
    • Essay file includes bibliography

Models and Presentations

  • Cost is limited to $100 per team (combined total for model and presentation) and includes
    • Purchased items - actual receipts stapled to Expense Form
    • Donated or borrowed items - you must place a value on donated or borrowed supplies: fair market value (E-Bay or garage sale price)
    • Used items - fair market value
    • Recyclable items - (e.g., plastic bottles, soda cans, cardboard, etc.) have $0 value
  • $100 budget includes all items used in the model and presentation: including displays, costumes, and demonstration aids.
  • Models have a maximum size of 25 in. x 50 in. x 20 in. This includes any hinged parts (tilting or access to underground structures), braces, backdrops, etc.
  • Presentations are 5-7 minutes. Then judges will ask questions. Anticipate 15 minutes per team for the presentation and Q&A
    • No laptops, no videos, no audio equipment.
  • Displays - We will supply one easel per team for the presentation. You may bring an additional easel if you like.
    • Displays have a maximum size - 60 in. x 36 in. for one display - OR - 30 in. x 36 in. each for two displays. (Not including easels.)
    • You may stack multiple display boards on an easel.
  • Costume and special clothing items must be included in the $100 budget limitation.
    • This includes team outfits (ie., identical shirts, or team t-shirts)
    • Does not include school uniforms or official FC t-shirts.
  • Props and other demonstration aids used during the presentation (includes everything used during the presentation except for the model, costumes, and display boards) must collectively fit within a 6in x 6in x 12in box

Regional Competition

  • Judging of the models and presentations will take place at the University of Texas at Arlington, Nedderman Hall (engineering building).
  • Both the preliminary and final rounds will take place:
    • Preliminary round presentations and judging in the morning
    • Final round presentation and judging in the afternoon
  • Parents, family and friends are welcome to attend.
  • Preliminary competition - all teams may compete.
    • Contesting teams will be seeded into groups based on their scores on the computer and essay portion of the competition.
    • Different sets of judges (engineers and architects from around the Metroplex) will score each group.
    • Team members and their immediate families (above the age of 6) only may watch presentations during the preliminary round.
    • The top 4-6 teams will go to the finals. Only one team per school may move on to the finals.
  • Final competition - Finalists will present their designs in the auditorium before a special panel of judges and the audience.
  • Awards ceremony - The Regional Competition will conclude with an awards ceremony.
  • Detailed competition agenda will be distributed in December.

Prizes

  • 1st place team will receive medals and a trophy and all five members will get airline and hotel expenses at the national competition in Washington, DC during National Engineers Week.
  • 2nd, and 3rd place teams will receive medals, gift certificates for the students, and a monetary award for the sponsoring school.
  • Companies and professional associations sponsor other special awards, recognizing outstanding effort in special categories. Examples of special awards:
    • Best Essay
    • Team's Choice Best Model
    • Excellence in Civil Engineering
    • Architectural Achievement
    • Excellence in Transportation System Design

Other Rules

  • Deadlines will not be extended. Teams making submittals after the deadlines will receive penalty points.
  • Any conflicts will be resolved locally. There is no appeal.
  • The judges decisions are final.
  • Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable.