Lots of robot competitions out there

[RoboMom]

Thanks to Miss Mary, from Northrop Grumman, for flooding my in-box.

AUVSI Student Competitions
In 1990, AUVSI realized the need to introduce future generations of engineers, scientists and operators to unmanned systems. To that end, AUVSI has created four different Competitions to challenge students to design, build and deploy air, ground and underwater autonomous unmanned systems.
The missions and requirements for each Competition vary but the common thread in each is the requirement for autonomous operation: The entries are not remotely controlled but are programmed to sense their surroundings and respond accordingly, independent of any external control by an operator.
These Competitions have captured the imagination of students, industry, the media and the public as they have been featured on The Discovery Channel, Scientific American Frontiers and other television, radio and print outlets around the world. http://www.auvsi.org/AUVSI/AUVSI/Eve...s/Default.aspx

Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC)
The IGVC challenges college student teams to develop an autonomous ground vehicle that must navigate a complicated obstacle course, complete with an extensive list of mobility and design requirements. Partnerships between students and industry leaders enable the competition to not only serve as a unique educational experience, but also a way to get an inside view of design challenges and establish connections with potential mentors or future employers. Website - http://www.igvc.org/

Student Unmanned Air System (SUAS) Competition
16-20 June 2010
Webster Field
Patuxent River, MD, USA
The SUAS Competition, aimed at stimulating and fostering interest in unmanned air systems, technologies and careers, is focused on engaging students in a challenging mission. It requires the design, integration and demonstration of a system capable of conducting air operations to include autonomous flight, navigation of a specified course and use of onboard payload sensors. Additionally, students are required to submit technical journal papers and make oral presentations.
Website - http://65.210.16.57/studentcomp2010/default.html

International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC)
9-13 August 2010 The IARC requires collegiate teams to create fully autonomous flying robots capable of negotiating urban warfare situations from a significand stand-off distands of 3km. Each aerial robot must independently find and enter a designated building to locate and relay specific target information in under 15 minutes. The IARC allows student teams to prepare for challenges that have robotic applications highly relevant to DoD or MoD programs. Website - http://iarc.angel-strike.com/

AUVSI and ONR's 3rd International Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) Competition
10-13 June 2010
Founders Inn & Spa
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
The Autonomous Surface Vehicle Competition (ASVC) is a student competition based around unmanned boats operating under rules of the waterway. This includes littoral area navigation, channel following and autonomous docking. This is typically done with computer vision, multi-sensor fusion techniques, proactive and reactive path planning, and machine learning approaches using embedded systems within the vehicle.
Website - http://www.auvsifoundation.org/AUVSI...n/Default.aspx

***************************************
AUVSI and ONR's 13th International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Competition
13-18 July 2010
SSC Pacific TRANSDEC
San Diego, CA, USA
Co-sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the goal of this competition is to advance the development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) by challenging a new generation of engineers to perform realistic missions in an underwater environment. This event also serves to foster ties between young engineers and the organizations developing AUV technologies. Website - http://www.auvsifoundation.org/AUVSI...n/Default.aspx


Here are a few of the nationwide Robotic Underwater / Submersible Competitions:
• Sea Perch underwater ROV Program – Middle and High School teams all over nation, esp. in MD, VA,
• International Submarine Races – competition held at NSWC Carderock, VA, outside of DC
• MATE International ROV Competition – 19 Regionals, incl. Hampton, VA and Philadelphia, PA. Finals at Univ. of Hawaii, Hilo. May 22nd, 2010 --- MATE Pennsylvania Regional ROV (Remote-Operated-Vehicle) Challenge, Villanova University,
Villanova, PA (underwater robotics)
(http://www.marinetech.org/rov_compet...etition_id=151 )
• National Underwater Robotics Challenge (NURC) – teams in PA and AZ
• AUVSI’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Competition – finals held at TRANSDEC, San Diego, California, USA. Univ. of MD College Park Team won in 2008.


***********
Other excellent AUVSI competitions, some sponsored by Northrop Grumman:
• AUVSI and ONR's International Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) Competition - Virginia Beach, VA, USA
• AUVSI’s International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC) – finals to be held August, 2010at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM)
• AUVSI’s Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) – finals held in Rochester, Michigan
• AUVSI’s Student Unmanned Air System (SUAS) Competition – finals held at Webster Field, Patuxent River, MD, USA

Other Challenges:

The Northrop Grumman Information Systems Sector, based in VA, announced they are supporting competition #2, CyberPatriot Defense.



****************************

Please click for more info on US Cyber Challenges: http://csis.org/uscc

· #1: DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge

· #2: CyberPatriot Defense Competition

· #3: Netwars Capture-the-Flag Competition



See attached flyer & info below for more information on each program above.



************************************************** ************************************************** ********

#1: DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge

http://www.dc3.mil/challenge/2010/

Overview

The DC3 Challenge encourages innovation from a broad range of individuals, teams, and institutions to provide technical solutions for computer forensic examiners in the lab as well as in the field. Approximately 25 different challenges ranging from basic forensics to advanced tool development are being provided to all participants. The challenges are single based challenges and are designed to be unique and separate from one another. This format is different than the whole forensic process scenario, with incorporated challenges, provided for the 2009 DC3 Challenge.



Requirements

Challenge entry is open to both individuals and teams. Teams may include corporate or academic entities but are not limited to these. Each entry must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. An individual cannot participate on more than one team or compete with multiple entries.

2. Teams will consist of one to four members.

3. A team member will be assigned as the team leader and considered the sole Point of Contact (POC).

4. All members are required to provide their personal information (Full Name, Address, Telephone Number, Email Address, Etc) for team approval. Failure to provide accurate personal information will deny your application.

5. Each team must fall into one of the following categories. Team must choose category that will be relevant when team challenge packet is submitted.

· High School Student – A person or team that is attending a high school and has NOT graduated before the submission of the final Challenge package.

· High School Faculty – A person or team that teaches in a High School facility.

· Civilian, Military, Undergraduate, Graduate, Foreign National, Etc.

7. If participant is under the age of 18, the team member(s) should advise their parent/legal guardian of their participation. If under 18 and in the winner category, a consent form must be signed by parent or legal guardian for distribution of prizes.



Important Dates

2009-12-15: Registration Opens

2010-11-01: Registration Closes

2010-11-02: Solutions Due

2010-12-01: Winners Announced



************************************************** ************************************************** ********

#2: CyberPatriot Defense Competition

http://registration.afa.org/reg/reg1...pe=RequestInfo

Air Force Association's CyberPatriot – National High School Cyber Defense Competition: Orlando Fl, February 18-19, 2010



************************************************** ************************************************** ********

#3: Netwars Capture-the-Flag Competition

http://www.sans.org/netwars/



Eligibility: The game is aimed at students from high school through graduate school. Others may play as well.



Do you really know your way around computers? Do you think you can recover the password from a computer? Take control of a service? Protect the system against other players who might want to take it over?



Netwars is the latest online game: an adventure across the Internet. You can play the game as an analyst, a penetration tester, a defender, or any combination. You earn points by finding keys, moving to higher levels, capturing services such as a website, overcoming obstacles (attack techniques) and protecting resources (defensive techniques). You can see the other players' scores and your own points scored, live, or on an overall scoreboard.



The NetWars game is a collection of computer and network security challenges. It is designed to represent real-world security issues: their flaws and their resolutions. Each player can follow an independent path based on individual problem solving skills, technical skills, aptitude, and creativity. The game is played in a fun but safe environment using the technology that drives our lives every day.



The game starts when a player downloads and starts a CD-ROM image on a PC or in a virtual environment such as VMware Player. The image contains a brief tutorial and the game's full instructions.



The player must find a hidden key within the image that is downloaded and then uses that key to enter an online environment where knowledge of security vulnerabilities and their exploits can be turned into points.



The NetWars game can be played in a few hours over one or several days.



The first round, called the Pioneer Round, is being played June 22-29. Additional rounds will be posted as soon as the results from the first round are analyzed and the game adjusted.



You don't have to be an overall winner to earn bragging rights.



All who play fairly and well will get recognition and many will get awards





************************************************** ************************************************** ********

Several other similar programs exist, like eCYBERMISSION by US ARMY.



http://www.army.mil/features/ecybermission/default.htm



************************************************** ************************************************** ********

Don’t be afraid to ask Challenge Leads about number of students participating, and geographic or demographic data of participants.

Each program has a different level of participation.

[RoboMom]

From my in-box from Steve at Robots.net

""ROBOT CONTESTS AND COMPETITIONS FAQ Updated: Apr 1, 2010

Number of events currently listed: 123


THIS LISTING IS PUBLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING FORMS:
* Available in HTML format at http://robots.net/rcfaq.html
* Available in condensed form in Servo Magazine

This listing contains brief summaries of known robot competitions around
the world, answering the frequently asked questions; Where and when can
I find a robot competition? Submission of new contest information is
encouraged. All information received will be made available to the public
through monthly postings of this listing to newsgroups and the web.

I'm attempting to follow up on the incomplete entries but have listed
what I know (however little that may be) at this time. If anyone can
fill me in on one of the partial listings or knows of a competition that
I've left out, send me email! If you find out-dated copies of this
document on other web sites, please ask the webmaster to link to this
official copy which can found at http://robots.net/rcfaq.html

Send updates, new listings, corrections, complaints, and suggestions to: (snipped-contact is listed on site)"

[Rick TYler]

Another source of robotics competitions is robotevents.com. You can also list events here.

[Stuart]

If your in the South (for the most part) and looking for a Fall Competition there is always BEST.

I cannot speak more highly of a robotics competition There is in my opinion no better way of building and preparing a team for the riggers of a 6 week build session than BEST.

[RoboMom]

Not just robotics. A great competition.

Please join the Lemelson-MIT Program for EurekaFest June 17 & 18 at MIT and June 19 at the Museum of Science, Boston.

Started by Josh Schuler, Executive Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program

Joining us for EurekaFest http://www.eurekafest.org will surely be inspiring to anyone with an interest in K-12 STEM education. This event will open a door into the Lemelson-MIT Program’s http://web.mit.edu/invent fascinating work, and how you can get involved in this important cause.

Thursday, June 17th events include exciting presentations and demonstrations by winners of the 2010 Lemelson-MIT Collegiate Student Prizes http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-student.html and InvenTeams http://www.inventeams.org , our high school teams from across the US. We will also be joining with the Boy Scouts of America to introduce the Inventing merit badge, and conclude with the presentation of the 2010 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-award.html .

On Friday evening, June 18, the program includes a showcase of InvenTeams and an awards ceremony which includes the awarding of, and presentation by, the 2010 recipient of the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize. This year’s winner was announced last week: Carolyn Bertozzi of UC Berkeley and daughter of MIT Physics Professor, Bill Bertozzi http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-winners/a-bertozzi.html . Phil Sharp, Institute professor and Nobel Laureate, will preside over the presentation of this year's winner.

On Saturday, June 19, EurekaFest takes-over the Museum of Science, Boston, where MIT alumni and their families can cheer-on InvenTeams as they undertake an all-day design challenge or participate in hands-on invention activities for young children, including Howtoons http://www.howtoons.com .

More information about EurekaFest and event details can be found here: http://www.eurekafest.org

[RoboMom]

Not robots, but includes engineering.

http://www.shiftboston.org/competitions.html
MOON CAPITAL Competition 2010 - an international design challenge
When considering the future of design let's start looking out into space. WHAT IF we could occupy the Moon only 100 years after our first visit there in July of 1969? Might the Moon become an independent, self-sustaining, and sovereign state? If so WHY NOT start designing for that new world NOW?

THINK BEYOND what is familiar and envision design in DEEP SPACE.

“Fifty years after the creation of NASA, our goal is no longer just a destination to reach. Our goal is the capacity for people to work and learn and operate and live safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of time, ultimately in ways that are more SUSTAINABLE and even indefinite.”
President Barack Obama (15 April 2010)

On the way to Mars, the nations of our world will explore and demonstrate SOLUTIONS for living in deep space indefinitely, and for building colonies on other planets. Together, our governments and other commercial enterprises will also build on the Moon during this century with active research outposts, tourist destinations, and eventually new cities.

SHIFTboston seeks to expand the possibilities for the future of design by asking you to explore the concept of a moon habitat that will include both living and working in addition to collecting the most provocative visions for new Lunar possibilities. WE WANT YOU TO THINK BIG.

“The discovery of water gives a much bigger, potentially complicated picture for water on the moon than what was thought even just a few months ago. This is not your father’s Moon; this is not a dead planetary body, but one with a lot of dynamism in it.”
Michael Wargo, Chief Lunar Scientist for Exploration Systems
at NASA Headquarters

While we might be looking to Mars for long term civilization, the Moon is a resourceful body and a closer neighbor. The discovery of water fundamentally changed the practical VALUE of the Moon. After discovering where the water is, and how it is concentrated, we can also learn to collect it and use it to SUPPORT human life and to produce rocket propellant. It is time to consider the Moon as the next destination for human enterprise and designers should NOW be envisioning how it could work and what it might look like.

Overview of the Competition Brief

SHIFTboston calls on all architects, artists, landscape architects, urban designers, industrial designers, planners, engineers, and anyone else who would like to propose a Lunar concept. Please choose from the following two categories:

Competition Category 1: LET'S GET SERIOUS

Design a second generation living and working moon habitat. Written by Dr. Marc Cohen, a leader in the space architecture industry and a registered architect, the architectural program consists of four components: an above surface access unit, surface laboratories, an agricultural zone, and a core habitat located under the lunar surface. YOU WILL BE DESIGNING AN ACTUAL LUNAR BASE and will be contributing to advancements in design in the space architecture industry. There has never been an open competition such as this before. We are giving YOU the opportunity to learn more about designing for extreme environments and you will walk away understanding more than you ever have about our Moon and living in space.

DOWNLOAD
Category 1: Information (1 of 2)
Category 1: Program (2 of 2)
More Resources

Competition Category 2: LET'S HAVE FUN

“There are spaceships to build, Moon metals to mine, and energy resources to harness. Not to mention movies to make, low-gravity games to create, and advertising to sell. There’s every opportunity, from the more serious side of human behavior … to the more fun side of human behavior.“
Jeff Krukin, executive director of the Space Frontier Foundation

THINK: WHAT IF this could happen on the Moon? SHIFTboston seeks to collect visions that will re-imagine the Moon as a new destination. We want radical ideas for new lunar elements such as rovers, growing pods, inflatable structures, droids, clothing, and habitats. Envision an entire LUNAR CITY! How about a new Moon culture? What would it look like? Sound like? Envision having FUN on the moon with activities, fashion, and spacesuits!

YOU TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IS POSSIBLE ON THE MOON.

DOWNLOAD
Category 2: Information (1 of 1)
More Resources

Awards
The honorary recipients will receive a US$1,000 cash prize and present at the MOON CAPITAL Forum at the Cyclorama in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 21, 2010. The Forum will be a panoramic gala event, attendees will include members of the MOON CAPITAL Competition jury and advisory panel, astronauts, leading aerospace and astrophysics engineers, government, community, industry and academic leaders along with architects and other design professionals. The winning entry will be displayed in a new virtual moon game and become part of the MOON CAPITAL Exhibit at the Johnson Space Center. Select entries will be promoted on the SHIFTboston blog, website. Entries will also be selected as part of a new “Moon Independence” book.

[RoboMom]

Calling all tech-savvy young women, coders, gamers, and web divas!
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is seeking applications from young women for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Competition for the 2011 Award is open to any U.S. high school-level female (grades 9-12). Applications will be accepted beginning September 13, 2010, and must be submitted online at www.ncwit.org/award no later than 11:59 PM ET on October 15, 2010.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing acknowledges the computing aspirations of young women, introduces them to leadership opportunities in the field and generates visibility for women's participation in computing-related pursuits.
http://www.ncwit.org

[RoboDesigners]

I found this challenge while browsing the web. It uses the LEGO Mindstorms NXT, and is basically a line following challenge. Unfortuately, it is held from January through May, so it might interfere with FRC deadlines...

Mini Urban Challenge
[From their website]

The Institute of Navigation’s (ION) Mini-Urban Challenge is an annual high school competition sponsored by The Institute of Navigation (ION) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) created to challenge high school students to design and operate a robotic unmanned car built from a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kit that can accurately navigate through a LEGO® city.

Click here for more information.

[RoboMom]

STUDENTS INNOVATE FOR A BETTER AMERICA – CHALLENGE APPEAL! Looking for ideas for student science projects from all scientists/engineers.

In September, 2010, Allegro Productions, Inc., in collaboration with our partner the National Museum of Education (NMOE), will launch STUDENTS INNOVATE FOR A BETTER AMERICA COMPETITION©: CONNECTING THE SCIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY THROUGH VIRTUAL OUTREACH, an interactive, internet-based program targeting students in communities traditionally under-represented in science.

The objective is to foster an understanding of the impact science has as a driving force in America’s economy, while encouraging students to consider a challenging career in science. The program is being funded through a grant from the Motorola Foundation and poses an interesting opportunity for scientists such as yourself.

At the core of this program is a competition that invites middle and senior high school science classes, in Motorola communities, to propose solutions to a variety of challenges posed by business leaders on NMOE’s web-based challenge list. We know you share our commitment to STEM education, and invite you to participate in this program by submitting an idea for a challenge or volunteering to serve as a Virtual Scientist Mentor as a part of the Virtual Scientist Guest Lecture Series™. Schools have the opportunity to win $1,000 in cash for their science program if their entry is selected for one of the three top prizes.

Some basic parameters for the challenge:
- Challenges have to be within the capacity of middle school (grades 6 -8) or high school (grades 9 – 12) students.
- Not require large purchases of equipment or materials.
- Encourage students to work in teams building on the strengths of the individual members.

Some basic parameters for Virtual Scientist Mentor:
- Volunteers should report to their assigned school for an initial orientation on Wednesday, October 13. This visit can be in person or virtually via Skype™.
- Thereafter, all visits will take place via Skype™ or videoconference.
- “Virtual mentor” estimated time commitment: two “virtual visits” to the assigned school per month; each approx 30 minutes in length.

The NMOE website has some challenges already listed to give you some ideas: http://www.nmoe.org/students/list.htm

Please submit ideas to:
National Museum of Education, Akron, OH
info@nmoe.org
Please insert: MOTOROLA CHALLENGE in the subject line
Or call: GAY EVANS at 330-376-8300

If you would like to volunteer in the Virtual Scientist Guest Lecture Series™, please respond with your contact information and we will send you information as to how you can sign up to be a Virtual Scientist Mentor.

Our deadline for submissions is Friday, September 24, 2010.

Thanks so much for your ideas and for sharing this information with those who might find it of interest.

All the best,

On behalf of Scott J. Forman, President,

[RoboMom]

The Contest
Are you a visionary? An innovator? Someone who has cool ideas once in awhile? We are working to develop a family of science-based educational apps for the Google Android smartphone, and we need YOUR help to come up with app ideas! Winning concepts from this contest will be professionally developed and distributed on the Google Android Marketplace.
The Rules
The mobile app must:

• Promote or teach science education in an innovative, effective manner.
• Impact many.
• Have the potential to be a competitive and viable mobile app on the Google Marketplace.
• Be your original idea!

Please submit app proposals by midnight, September 30, 2010, to: technovation.challenge@gmail.com with the following sections:

• Name/Address/ Age/Email/Phone/brief resume or linkedin profile/Past Technovation Challenge or Technovation Express Program Graduate (yes/no)?
• Concept: What does your app do? How will it help produce science education?
• Target Audience: Which populations will your app reach?
• Market Opportunity: Why and how is your app unique amongst the thousands already out there?
• Marketing Plan: How will your app be distributed?
• Sustainability: Will your app generate revenue? How?
• Impact: How will you demonstrate your app’s effectiveness?

Our panel of judges will screen the proposals. The best ideas and most well-thought-out proposals will be invited as finalists to promote their work. The public will be invited to choose the app concepts they like best. The winning app concepts will be professionally developed, distributed and marketed on the Google Marketplace.
Background
Through our Technovation Challenge (link) high-tech entrepreneurial programs, we teach under-served/represented students programming and entrepreneurial skills, give them access to professional mentors, and form them into teams where they create mobile app prototypes, business plans, and funding pitches for their virtual high-tech companies. The best mobile app concepts are professionally developed. The Technovation Challenge program has run successfully in the bay area, and will be growing to serve Los Angeles and New York in Spring 2011. Check us out on (link), become our fan on facebook, and help us launch our family of science-based educational apps by entering the Iridescent App Development Challenge!
More Info
Visit www.iridescentlearning.org, and www.technovationchallenge.org for more info!
Contest Rules & Guidelines
Eligibility

All are eligible to enter the contest.
Teams of between 1 and 5 are permitted to submit proposals.
Entries from outside the U.S. are permitted. All entries must be in English-language.

Entries must be submitted in standard Microsoft Office format via e-mail to technovation.challenge@gmail.com

Entries will be accepted through midnight (PST) September 30, 2010.
You may submit only 1 entry. Keep copies for your records. Iridescent assumes no responsibility for lost, misdirected, illegible or late entries or for failed computer transmissions or technical failures.

[RoboMom]

For high schools in Baltimore-Washington area.

Innovate Our World http://www.innovateourworld.org/projects.html

Want your high school involved in planning a cutting edge space mission? Innovate Our World is looking for two Baltimore-Washington area high schools who want to make plans to rediscover space history – the Apollo lunar landings - and potentially make new history. Nearly 40 years since the last time humans have walked on the Moon, the Apollo Rediscovery Mission project seeks to make these landing sites and their history more accessible to people on Earth. Working with lunar scientists, aerospace engineers, and other space professionals, teams will plan and design a mission to send a payload to an Apollo landing site with the goal of increasing public awareness of space history and exploration. Teams will work closely with a company planning its own lunar landing mission on aspects of payload intergation and operation

Teams will meet weekly during the school year. During Fall 2010, students will learn about the Moon, telescopes, and space history; form a project team; and perform mission conceptual planning to choose a specific mission to pursue. Optional learning activities will be held at the Glenelg Country School observatory in Ellicott City, MD. After the holiday break, student teams will perform mission planning and payload design/prototyping culminating with a presentation to a group of project sponsors, including space industry professionals with lunar mission experience. Schools interested in participating in this project for the 2010-11 academic year can make inquires to Ron McCandless, Director, STEM Programs at ron@innovateourworld.org.

[RoboMom]

Call for ADULT volunteers


Please find information about the eCYBERMISSION program below. If you have any further questions please feel free to e-mail volunteerprogram@ecybermission.com

eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine. Now in its ninth year, eCYBERMISSION is able to continue to grow and be successful because of our dedicated volunteers.



To serve as an eCYBERMISSION volunteer, you must have a background or interest in STEM or education. We have three volunteer roles available; Ambassadors, CyberGuides and Virtual Judges.

Ambassadors:

* Serve as the "face of eCYBERMISSION" by promoting the competition and recruiting both students and volunteers in their community
* Registration opened on Aug. 1, 2010 and remains open through June 2011
* Ambassadors must have an active Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance or go through a federal background check

CyberGuides:

* Provide online assistance to eCYBERMISSION students through the use of Discussion Forums, Chat Rooms, Instant Messaging and interactive webinars
* Registration opened on Aug. 1, 2010 and remains open through Feb. 4, 2011, with CyberGuides' last day online being Feb. 25, 2011
* CyberGuides must have an active DoD security clearance

Virtual Judges:

* Evaluate and score Mission Folders via the eCYBERMISSION web site during the month of March 2011
* Each Virtual Judge is asked to score between 20 - 25 Mission Folders (the final project submitted by students) during the Regional Judging period, and if they choose, an additional amount of Mission Folders during the Alternate Judging period
* The Regional Judging period lasts from March 1, 2011 - March 22, 2011 and the Alternate Judging period lasts from March 23, 2011 - March 29, 2011
* Each Mission Folder is scored by multiple Virtual Judges and the score is determined by dropping the highest and lowest score and averaging the remaining scores
* Registration opened on Aug. 1, 2010 and remains open through Feb. 25, 2011
* Virtual Judges must have an interest or background in STEM or education, but do not need an active DoD security clearance or federal background check

[RoboMom]

Want to engage high school students using the current topic of infrastructure?
http://www.constructionchallenge.org/
Construction Challenge is back! Sponsored by Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Volvo Construction Equipment through partnership with Destination ImagiNation, January 15th will hold Regional Rallies in 8 cities. Advancing teams will go to Finals at CONEXPO/CON-AGG in Las Vegas in March. If you have high school students, form a team of 5-7 students, do 6-8 hours of research on infrastructure (roads, bridges, drinking water and wastewater), and come to a Regional Rally for hands on activities where they will apply their knowledge in 3 fun Challenges. This is workforce development initiative that highlights careers that use math and science.

[RoboMom]

Open to college students at these institutions: http://www.grandchallengescholars.org/active-programs

What is the NAE Grand Challenge Scholars Program?

The National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholars program is a combined curricular and extra-curricular program with five components that are designed to prepare students to be the generation that solves the grand challenges facing society in this century.

In 2008, the NAE identified 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. The Grand Challenges are a call to action and serve as a focal point for society's attention to opportunities and challenges affecting our quality of life.

[b.morales99]

I wish I could be a part of this great event in the future, kudos for sharing!