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Engineering Design

Engineering Design Competition Objectives:

  • TBA

Engineering Rules

Engineering Design Competition Rules:

1. Purpose of the Document

This rules document provides all participating Tribal College and University (TCU) teams with clear expectations and competition procedures. It outlines what teams may practice in advance, what will be provided on-site, and the standards of conduct required to ensure a fair contest. The goal is for all teams to arrive equally prepared, with no advantage gained from outside tools, materials, or pre-fabrication.​

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2. Competition Overview

  • The competition spans two days, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM each day.

  • Teams will complete two separate engineering design challenges, one on each day.

  • Design challenges will be revealed at the start of each competition session.

  • Each challenge will require teams to use the engineering design process to plan, build, test, and improve a prototype.

  • No prior knowledge of the challenges will be provided to any team.

  • All tools and materials will be provided at the competition.

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3. Team Composition and Eligibility

  • Team Size: 2–4 students.

  • Eligibility: All team members must be full-time certificate, associate, or bachelor’s students enrolled at a TCU. Multiple teams from the same TCU are allowed.

  • Major/Discipline: Students from any major may participate; engineering experience is not required.

  • Coaches/mentors may not assist teams during competition hours.

 

4. Competition Format

Day 1 – Standard Materials Challenge

  • All teams receive identical materials and identical tool kits.

  • The design challenge must be completed only with the materials provided on Day 1.

  • Any unused materials from Day 1 cannot be carried over to Day 2.

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Day 2 – Resource Allocation (Point-Based) Challenge

Teams receive a tool kit and a budget of points to “purchase” materials from a provided supply menu.

  • All teams will receive the same starting points and have access to the same materials list and costs.

  • Purchases are final once submitted to a competition judge or materials manager.

 

Time Management

  • Each day runs for exactly 3 hours of active design/build time.

  • A 10-minute warning will be given before the end of each session.

  • At the end of time, all hands must be off the prototype immediately.

 

5. Code of Conduct

All participants must follow a strict Code of Conduct to ensure fairness, safety, and academic integrity. Teams must:

  • Follow all competition rules and instructions from event staff.

  • Treat other teams, judges, and staff with respect.

  • Maintain a safe workspace and use tools responsibly.

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  • Prohibited behaviors include:

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  • Cheating or attempting to gain an unfair advantage.

  • Sharing information, strategies, or partial solutions with other teams during competition hours.

  • Attempting to access outside information or assistance.

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  • Violation of the Code of Conduct may result in penalties or disqualification.

 

6. Prohibited Items and Communication Restrictions

To ensure fairness and prevent outside assistance:

  • The following are prohibited during competition hours:

    • Cell phones

    • Smartwatches

    • Tablets

    • Laptops

  • Any other electronic devices capable of communication or computation

  • Devices must remain in bags or with designated event staff and may not be accessed until the session ends.

  • Communication Limits:

    • Teams may communicate only with their own teammates.

    • No communication with mentors, other teams, or outside individuals until the daily session concludes.

 

7. Allowed Materials

To allow teams to practice prior to the event, the categories of materials are listed below. The exact quantities for each day will be revealed on site.

Possible materials include:

  • Copy paper

  • Construction paper

  • Drinking straws

  • Craft sticks

  • Jumbo craft sticks

  • Pipe cleaners

  • Wooden skewers

  • 5” × 7” cardboard sheets

  • Yarn

  • Rubber bands

  • Masking tape

  • Hot Glue sticks

Note: Teams may practice with similar materials ahead of time, but may not bring any materials or prototype components to the competition venue.

1.Provided Tools (No Outside Tools Allowed)

Each team will be provided with the following tools on both days:​

  • 2 hot glue guns

  • 2 rulers

  • 2 pairs of scissors

  • 2 flush cutters

Tools may not be modified. No additional tools may be used, including (but not limited to):​

  • Knives or box cutters

  • Measuring tape

  • Custom jigs

  • Power tools

  • Personal safety equipment (event staff will provide basic PPE such as gloves if needed)

If a tool breaks, notify staff immediately—no substitutions will be allowed unless provided by staff.

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9. Safety Requirements

  • Closed-toe shoes must be worn.

  • Hot glue guns must remain on the table surface when not in use.

  • Scissors and flush cutters must be used in a controlled and safe manner.

  • Judges or staff may stop unsafe practices at any time.

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10. Judging Criteria

A formal rubric will be provided on the day of the competition. Typical criteria will include:

Innovation

  • Creativity of overall approach

  • Use of materials in novel or effective ways

Functionality & Performance

  • How well the prototype meets or exceeds the challenge objectives

  • Reliability and consistency during testing

  • Stability, strength, or speed (as relevant to the challenge)

Engineering Design Process

Evidence of planning

  • Iteration and testing

  • Quality of teamwork and problem-solving approach

Presentation Quality

  • Clarity and organization

  • Professionalism

  • Equal participation by all members

Adherence to Constraints

  • No violations of time limits

  • Use of only provided materials

  • Compliance with challenge specifications Judges’ decisions are final.

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11. Final Presentation and Prototype Demonstration

At the end of each day:

  • Each team will give a timed oral presentation (typically 3–5 minutes; final time will be announced on-site).

  • All team members must speak for the team to be eligible for full points.

  • Presentations must summarize:

  • The team’s design goals

  • Approach and reasoning

  • Key design decisions

  • Testing and iteration results

  • Remaining limitations or next steps

  • Teams must provide a live demonstration of their prototype during the testing portion.

  • Failure to demonstrate the prototype will impact scoring in the Functionality category.

 

12. Integrity and Dispute Resolution

Any rule questions should be addressed to judges before the session begins.

  • If a dispute arises, judges will discuss and issue a final ruling.

  • Judges may assign penalties, deduct points, or disqualify teams for violations of rules or conduct.

 

13. What Teams May Do Before the Event

Teams are encouraged to:

  • Practice general engineering design challenges using similar materials.

  • Develop teamwork, communication skills, and time-management strategies.

  • Practice mock presentations.

Teams may not:

  • Pre-build or pre-design a structure to replicate on-site.

  • Bring notes, diagrams, sketches, or templates into the competition.

  • Bring any tools, materials, or measuring devices.

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