Project Design
While we expect each project in this high school energy competition to be unique, there are a few elements that all should have in common. As you develop your project, be sure that you provide the following:
- Background—A summary of the problem under investigation or a hypothesis.
- Methods—The methods or protocols used to accomplish the research or design.
- Results—The key points of your study. Your presentation should have enough depth to allow reviewers to judge the content.
- Conclusions—A summary of your findings.
Presentation
Judges will view your presentation at the competition. Be prepared to summarize your background, methods, results, and conclusion in 10 minutes or less.
The ways in which you may present your materials include, but are not limited to, the following:
Physical Model
Space will be available for tabletop displays or for displays needing floor space. When you complete the registration form, please let us know the maximum space you will need for your presentation. Keep in mind that tables are three feet wide and eight feet long.
Computer Presentations
You must furnish your own computer(s).
- PowerPoint
Your presentation should be 30 slides or less. Please bring your own computer. - DVD/Video
You may use either CD or DVD format and must furnish your own computer. Your presentation should be no more than 10 minutes long. You may want to provide headphones to aid viewers in hearing the presentation. - Web Site
The facility will have wireless access, but you will need to bring your own computer. Because no technology is 100 percent reliable, we recommend that you bring a backup copy of your presentation on your hard drive, so that you may proceed in the event of a technological malfunction.
Poster
Your poster may be as large as 48” high x 60” wide, but no larger, please. When you arrive at the competition, we’ll ask you to pin your poster to a poster board (we’ll provide the pins), so please do not pre-mount it on a stiff board. (Taping your poster to the board is not an option.)
Written Documents
In addition to the choices detailed above, you may augment your presentation with written materials for the judges to take with them. Written documents are optional.
On competition day
Judging throughout the day
Judges will visit displays and ask questions of students throughout the designated display hours: from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
Stay with your display!
There are no set presentation times, so you should have at least one student manning your project display at all times during the designated display hours.
10 minutes for presentations
If your team has formal presentation materials (such as a film, PowerPoint presentation, etc.), please limit the length of your presentation to 10 minutes.