- Chester County Intermediate Unit
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- STEM Design Challenge
Elementary & Middle School
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A Team Challenge
The STEM Design Challenge is for teams of four students of 4th - 8th graders who are challenged to brainstorm, develop, and implement a solution to an engineering problem using various building materials.
Equipping Teachers
At the heart of the program is a teacher training workshop to prepare teacher coaches for the year's competition.
Workforce Partners as Judges
On competition day, scientists, engineers, technicians and specialists from Chester County workforce partners serve as judges, bridging the connection between K-12 and the STEM workforce.
2024 Challenge
Pennsylvania agriculture contributes $132.5 billion to our state economy annually and supports more than 593,600 jobs, paying wages of $32.8 billion. Did you know that farmers use robots to help them? “High-tech Farming” is important especially as our population grows and food demand increases. Your team is being challenged to help our Pennsylvania farmers by creating an agricultural robot or other type of “high-tech farming” equipment that they could use.
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Get Involved
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At the heart of the program is a teacher-training workshop to prepare teacher coaches for this year's competition.
December 12, 2023 - Held Virtually.
NOTE: Please register in both divisions if you coach teams in both levels. Registration for the training is required in order to be entered into the competition and register your teams.
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We are looking for individuals with a science, technology, engineering, math, agricultural, and educational background to serve as judges for the STEM Design Challenge competition on March 21, 2024.
Please use this form to RVSP your availability to serve as a judge for the 2024 Competition.
Sponsored by:
K’Nex Kits
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Teams may use up to 1400 pieces. Any pieces, as long as they are K’Nex, may be used. String, tape, and rubber bands are permitted.
Judging Criteria
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- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Challenge Success
- Design
- Presentation
Awards
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- Awards will be given to top three teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8
- Additional prizes may be awarded (best blueprint, most creative, etc.)
- First-place winners in each division will advance to the state competition that will be held in May in Harrisburg, PA Date and location to be announced.
Resources
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6-8 Level Scoring Rubric
An Inventory/Budget is a requirement at the Middle School level.