The competition includes 6 categories which are: Junior Team Design, Senior Team Design, Debate, Communication Engineering, Consulting Engineering and Innovation Engineering.

Junior Team Design

Teams containing four members (1st and 2nd year engineering students) are asked to design and construct a machine to overcome a technical challenge.  The challenge is presented the morning of the competition.  Materials and tools will be provided along with ‘material cost’ so that competitors can develop a budget for their design.  Teams are given 4-5 hours to design, construct and create a presentation for their machine.  Teams will be asked to orally present and test their design in front of judges and peers.

Criteria: Teamwork, problem solving, decision making, and an enlightening presentation.

Senior Team Design

Teams containing four members (engineering students < 3rd year) are asked to design and construct a machine to overcome a technical challenge.  The main theme(s) of the challenge will be sent to competitors 1 week prior to the competition start date.  Materials and tools will be provided along with ‘material cost’ so that competitors can develop a budget for their design.  Teams will be given 10 hours to design, construct, write a report and create a presentation for their design.  Teams will be asked t orally present and test their design in front of judges and peers.

Criteria: Teamwork, problem solving, decision making, informative report and an enlightening presentation.

Innovative Design

Teams containing one to four people are required to assess the technical aspects and marketability of their competing product, service or process which is currently unavailable in industry.  The deliverables for this event include: a display for public viewing/ judging and a 20 minute oral presentation to judges.

Criteria: Originality, technical and economical feasibility, concrete marketing plan, and a quality and exhibit.

Consulting Engineering

Teams of four are given a problem that is currently facing an engineering (sponsor) company.  An information package with regards to the issue will be distributed 2 weeks before the competition start date.  This package will contain information such as: the company’s background, ergonomic issues, economic situation, equipment utilized and their current process.  The deliverables required for the presentation will also be part of this package. 

Criteria: Sufficient preparation, teamwork, resourcefulness and presentation skills.

Debate

A team containing two people are faced off against another team in preliminary rounds.  Top teams will advance to the semi-finals and then the finals.  One team is assigned to defend and the other team opposes the motion put forward by the judges.  Issues will be drawn from the following fields: science, engineering, technology, education, and other topics of direct interest to engineers and engineering students.

Criteria: Present a well-reasoned view point with minimal preparation.

Communications Engineering

A team containing one or two people develop and present a viewpoint on the social, economical and environmental impact of a current technological issue.  The goal of engineering communications is to present the topic in a manner that the general public can follow and understand.  A 20 minute presentations and visual aids are prepared prior to the competition start date.

Criteria: Through research, a convincing viewpoint and an enthusiastic presentation