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COMPETITION FORMAT
The format of the
competition is composed of a
Round Robin series of hands-on problem
solving stations. Problems are developed by Penn State
DuBois faculty, local industry representatives and
post-secondary students. All problems are designed
to challenge the high school students to apply what they
have learned in their classrooms and use critical thinking
and problem solving skills.
There is no way for students and advisors
to ‘study’ for the competition because students will have
to apply what they have learned thus far. Possible areas
of the competition problems are math, technical writing,
Internet search, Materials, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Technology principles, logic, physics and communication skills.
TEAM
COMPOSITION
Each school fields four (4) participants for the
competition, however, they do not compete as a team. Each
student is matched with 3 students from other high
schools to form a competition team.
Each
school MUST field a co-ed group of participants.
It is recommended that participants be
either Junior or Senior students. These students
will have had the opportunity to have taken some of the
technology related courses within their program of study.
PURPOSE OF TEAM COMPOSITION AND
COMPETITION FORMAT
The purpose of using this
format and team composition is to mimic the
workplace. Students come together the morning of the
competition from a variety of high schools and vocational
technical schools not knowing each other. They bring their
strengths and weaknesses with them in terms of curriculum,
style of learning and methods for problem solving and must
apply what they have learned. Team members must
communicate with one another in order to solve the
challenges they encounter. As the day progresses,
teamwork becomes a vital component of their success.
This method of team composition does not
give any one school an advantage over another and creates
a very level playing field for all schools involved. |
