Poster Session Contest Rules

The 2005 TECA-East Poster Session Contest topic is
"A Significant Engineering Achievement of the 20th Century".
More information about the topic can be found at
http://www.greatachievements.org/

The Poster Session Contest is a TECA-East Regional event designed for an
individual or team. Each school is limited to one poster entry.
Student(s) prepare a poster and documentation on the published topic and
make a presentation at the conference.

Students who have questions about the contest or the topic are welcome
to email Dr. John Karsnitz at karsnitz@tcnj.edu
or call him at (609) 771-2782
http://www.greatachievements.org/

Description:

The TECA "Poster Session Contest" requires students to complete research on a topic of technological significance selected annually by TECA and then to present the research in the form of an educational display called a Poster Session. Topics will be selected from broad categories such as: (1) Technologists: Raymond Loewy (Father of Industrial Design), Leonardo da Vinci, Henry Dreyfuss, (2) Inventions/Innovations: steam engine, telephone, elevator, electric generation and distribution integrated computer chip, (3) Technological Principles: structures, mechanisms, human factors, systems, or (4) Social or Environmental Impacts: public water systems, Luddites, recycling, Industrial Revolution. The intended audience for the Poster Session display will also be announced in advance. Student contestants will be required to attend a regional or national meeting, set up their Poster Session and make a five (5) minute presentation. The Poster Session may be designed by an individual or by a two or three-person team. The contest is intended to encourage high quality research and display presentations and as such should be part of a design class or supported by the institution/program as an extra curricular activity. It is anticipated that the material developed in this contest will be of benefit to the student in student teaching or as a beginning professional.

Procedure:

The topic for the following year’s contest will be announced at the TECA National Conference. An application to participate must be completed and returned by specified deadlines. The topic for the TECA Virginia Beach Regional 2005 Conference is "A Significant Engineering Achievement of the 20th Century". More information about the topic can be found at...
http://www.greatachievements.org/

Each team (up to three individuals) must register at the regional or national conference.
The topic must be thoroughly researched and documented. Annotated cards must be prepared for references used and to validate the information presented on the display.

A three-dimensional tabletop Poster Session display must be designed and constructed. The display must fit within a 36" wide, 24" deep and 48" high cube. The entire display including all components may not weigh over 75 pounds. A single 115 volt 15 amp. electrical convenience outlet will be made available within 12 feet of the display table.

Participants must provide an UL approved 15 amp. extension cord. No hazardous materials may be used and all elements must adhere to applicable codes. Computers are allowed to be used as a portion of the display or for instructional purposes.

Original copyright free graphics and images are encouraged. In the event that copyrighted material is used, the contestants must accurately and completely document the sources.

A five- (5) minute presentation on the topic and the Poster Session must be prepared and presented at the competition. The purpose of the presentation is to explain how the contestant(s) went about solving the problem, to elaborate on the content being presented, and to articulate the reasons for using the display format chosen. Presentation times will be listed in the conference program.

Poster Session displays must be set up during the time allotted in the conference program and taken down at the designated time. Security will be provided for materials during the contest event.

Each entry must be accompanied by documentation that shows evidence of multiple display design considerations and resources used for display content and presentation. In addition, it must include a detailed bill of materials.

Only the registered contestants are permitted to complete work on the Poster Session and make the presentation.

The physical display and graphic presentation must conform to all design specifications. Contest judges, whose decisions will be final, will decide rules violations and judging penalties.

A lottery will be used to determine Poster Session placement and order of presentation.
Presenters must be in attendance during the entire Poster Session presentation time.

Materials & Equipment:

The display must be designed to be self-supporting and free standing on a tabletop. A $50 limit for all materials used in the construction of the display must be observed. A bill of all materials used must be included with the documentation submitted. Within the cost limitations, the display may be constructed of any appropriate and safe material. The display must fit within a 36" wide, 24" deep and 48" high cube. No portion of the display may be outside the cube.

A single 115 volt 15 amp. electrical convenience outlet will be made available within 12 feet of the display table. Participants must provide an UL approved 15 amp. extension cord.

No hazardous materials may be used and all elements must adhere to applicable codes.

Display graphics may be generated by computer or by hand. Any digital, photographic, or mechanical imaging technique may be incorporated. Physical objects may also be included as long as they fit within the cube. Originality of materials will be considered as part of the judging. Clip art or other copyright free material may be used on the display.

For safe table loading, a weight limit of 75 pounds per display (includes all displayed elements) will be enforced.

Documentation materials must be word-processed or desktop published.

Any serious safety violation will be grounds for immediate disqualification of the display.
Contest judges, whose decisions will be final, will determine judging penalties for less serious contest violations.

Poster Session Evaluation Form

School: _______________________________________________________________

Team Members: ________________________________________________________

All contest procedures and specifications must be met. Any serious safety violation will be grounds for immediate disqualification of the display. Contest judges, whose decisions will be final, will determine judging penalties for less serious contest violations. Poster sessions must be set up during the time allotted in the conference program and taken down at the designated time. Security will be provided for poster session materials during the contest event. A team of two or three judges will use the following criteria to judge the contest.

Research: (Annotated Bibliography -- 20pts.)

Evidence of multiple resources and references (10pts.) ______
Depth of understanding of the topic (10pts.) ______

Display Design and Construction:

(Documentation, including bill-of-materials, is required -- 30pts.)

Evidence of research on display design and multiple ideas explored (10pts.) ______
Originality and effectiveness of the final design (10pts.) ______
Craftsmanship of final display product (10pts.) ______

Display Graphic Presentation: (30pts.)

Originality of graphic elements (10pts.) ______
Quality of graphic presentation (10pts.) ______
Effectiveness of graphic presentation (10pts.) ______

Oral Presentation: (20pts.)

Planning and sequencing of presentation (10pts.) ______
Effectiveness of delivery (10pts.) ______

Total: (100pts.) ______