The following guidelines apply to all competition categories listed below unless an EXCEPTION has been noted.

• Students may register for only one project either individually or as part of a team. A team consists of two people only. Teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping.
• Notebooks will no longer be required. Instead a 2 page document will be filled out by students which will answer a few questions for the judges and will document required permissions. This form is available on the Resources link.
• Grades 3 – 6 will compete from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm.
  The grade groupings are 3-4, 5-6.
  Grades 7 – 12 will compete from 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm).
  The grade groupings are 7-8, 9-10, 11-12.
  The exception is the Multimedia category where due to the large number of entries, there will be single-grade groupings: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
• There will be a 15 minute time limit on all entries.
• No tri-fold displays, please.
  
• The following software will be provided on the host school's computers:
  

Software List
Kid Pix
Windows Movie Maker
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
Paint

If the student is using other software, the student will need to bring a computer.

These categories require that the student bring the computer where the project was/will be created:

Digital Photography
3D Modeling
Project Programming
Programming Challenge (Program will be created on-site.)

DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING

This category is defined as any video project that has been edited on a computer with digital video editing software. Software for projects in this category includes but is not limited to: Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Pinnacle, Premiere, or Final Cut. The project must be displayed for viewing on a computer with the appropriate software loaded to demonstrate the video editing process. Judges will consider not only the finished product but also the student's software knowledge and understanding. If the student has used software other than what is on the Software List (see Technology Competition Guidelines), the student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project.

HARDWARE

EXCEPTION: Only open to students in 7th grade and above.
This category is for student built computers. Parts do not have to be new, but the operating components of the computer should be essentially built or put together by the student. For any component such as a floppy drive or CD-Rom, the student should be able to demonstrate that the system recognizes it and can access it. There should be a purpose for building the computer, and the components should match that purpose. (Ex: An appropriate video card that would support video editing or gaming).

CASE MODIFICATION
A student may decorate, paint, add lights, or moving parts to any working computer. Use your imagination and fancy up those computers for a fun event!

NON MULTIMEDIA

This category is defined as any project that has been created using software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database or other non-multimedia software. Software may include, but is not limited to Word, Works, Publisher, Excel, or Access. The project must be displayed on the computer in the program in which it was created. A hard copy of the finished project must also be displayed. Judges will consider not only the finished product but also the student's software knowledge and understanding. If the student has used software other than what is on the Software List (see Technology Competition Guidelines), the student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project.

MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS

This category is defined as any presentation which combines text, images and sound. Software for projects in this category includes but is not limited to: Power Point, KidPix, AppleWorks, Astound, Storybook Weaver and HyperStudio. Projects should be saved in “player” format so that the application software is not required to review the presentation. Presentations will be viewed and judged on school computers in a computer lab in the host school. The project should be stored on a removable storage device such as an USB flash drive or CD. Videos should not be entered in this category. If the student has used software other than what is on the Software List (see Technology Competition Guidelines), the student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project unless the project is saved in “player” format.

ANIMATED GRAPHIC DESIGN:
This category is defined as an original graphic design, the primary purpose being to show motion of objects. Software for projects in this category includes but is not limited to: Flash or KidPix. The project must be displayed for viewing on a computer with the appropriate software loaded to demonstrate the animation process. Judges will consider not only the finished product but also the student's software knowledge and understanding. If the student has used software other than what is on the Software List (see Technology Competition Guidelines), the student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project.

NON-ANIMATED GRAPHIC DESIGN:
This category is defined as any computer-created original art project without animation. This category does not include photography or 3D design projects. Software for projects in this category includes but is not limited to: Paint, KidPix, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Corel Draw, Illustrator, Fireworks or Free Hand. The project must be displayed for viewing on a computer with the appropriate software loaded to demonstrate the creation process. A hard copy of the finished project must also be displayed. Judges will consider not only the finished product but also the student's software knowledge and understanding. If the student has used software other than what is on the Software List (see Technology Competition Guidelines), the student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY:
This category is defined as any digital photography project that has been edited on a computer using digital photography editing software. Software for projects in this category includes but is not limited to: Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Corel Draw, Microsoft Photo Editor or Microsoft Office Picture Manager. The project must be displayed on the computer in the program in which it was created. Judges will consider not only the finished product but also the student's software knowledge and understanding. Each student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project.

3-D MODELING:
This category is defined as any original artwork that has been created and can be modeled in three dimensions. Software for projects in this category includes but is not limited to: Maya, AutoCad, Sketch Up, GollyGee Blocks, and Light Wave. The project must be displayed on the computer in the program in which it was created. A hard copy of the finished project must also be displayed. Judges will consider not only the finished product but also the student's software knowledge and understanding. Each student is required to bring his/her own computer to display the project.

PROJECT PROGRAMMING

Projects in this category are self-executing programs created using recognizable programming languages such as BASIC, C++, Pascal, LOGO, etc. All parts of the program must be the author's own design. Programs must be identifiable in one of the three following categories:

• Computer-aided instruction or educational/learning games.
• Business or commercial applications.
• Personal applications that, with minor alterations, could be marketed for larger commercial audiences.

INTERNET APPLICATIONS

This category is defined as web-based projects such as web pages, web sites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and blogs. Projects should be uploaded to the World Wide Web; however, projects on removable storage devices will be accepted. Internet access will be on county-provided computers in a computer lab using Internet Explorer as the default browser. Should internet access fail due to technical problems or hosting site failure, each student should bring a backup copy of the project on a removable storage device. This backup should include the links captured at least one level deep.

INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMMING CHALLENGE

EXCEPTION: Only open to students in 7th grade and above.
EXCEPTION: No team entries for this category.
This category is an on-site event in which one student is given a series of problems that s/he must solve during the two-hour competition time.

Any questions regarding interpretation of the problems must be submitted in writing to the judges who may choose to answer or reject the question. The decisions of the judges are final.

Each individual will be awarded points for each problem solved correctly. Programs will also be judged on structure, design, and organization. Competition will begin with a briefing session. The contest problems will be distributed to all students at the same time. At the end of the two hours, the project judging will begin. The judges will use the contestants' computers to check the solutions to the problems.

Each student is required to bring the computer of his/her choice, appropriate operating system software, and programming software with which to compete. Students must also bring a power strip and extension cord to the test site. Students may bring an additional computer only for emergency situations in the event that one computer does not function. However, back up computers must remain unplugged and may not be used unless permission is obtained from one of the judges. Students may bring to the competition only the manuals for their computers. Any student using other resources including textbooks, published program listings, or notes will be disqualified.

Students will not be permitted to communicate with anyone outside the judging room. No visitors will be allowed in the testing areas. Students will be monitored on a random basis. Each student must be able to enter programming code and execute the solutions to the problems for the judges' review.

ROBOTICS

This category is defined as the creation of programmable robotic projects programmed to do tasks without human assistance. Projects may be constructed from kits or published schematic drawings, modified from other devices to create new applications, or constructed from the student's own concepts and designs. The projects must have some obvious relationship to the computer and must be controlled through student-created programming. All entries must be a working and functional piece of electronics. Examples of commercially available kits are robotic "arms" or robot movers, Lego and K'Nex-style building kits, Capsella, and Technics style robotics kits.