Overview of competition and competition objectives

Rules are same for MS and HS

Appendix A: How to Film Your MESA Tank Presentation on Zoom

Appendix B: Rules Template

Foundational STEM standards (eg. NGSS, Common Core, etc)

MS-ESS3-3 (and HS-ESS3-4) Earth and Human Activity

Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment.

HS-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

HS-ETS1-3 Engineering Design

Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Key competition rules of emphasis

If not using the rules template, students must understand all that must be included in their competition rules (Rules 5-7)
Students are to make a video using the Zoom platform (Rules 8-13)

5 minutes maximum, must show their slideshow using screen share
Should be a pitch for why their competition should be chosen, not a reciting of their rules - engage the audience
Should include demonstration of their prototype

Judging of competition should be described using prototype as an example

Coaching strategies for student teams

Students should aim to choose a topic that is different than common topics chosen (not water filtration!)

The more unique the students’ topic, the more they will stand out to the judges

Students should research their topic very well and also make sure it is feasible to be translated into a middle/high school competition
Students should practice making videos with screen share showing their slides to familiarize themselves with the capabilities of Zoom
Students should practice their presentation skills

Rather than reciting their slides, they should work on engaging their audience, putting their personalities into their pitch, making the pitch fun
If students are enthusiastic about their project, the judges will see that

Students should make sure to reference the scoring rubric as they create their projects. This will assure that they are not missing any key information, like for example explaining their engineering design process. This is not highly emphasized in the rules, but is assigned 10 points in the scoring rubric.