Registration runs through Dec. 15th, 2020.
This is a perfect STEM learning project for the coming Holiday months. Our Tinkercad “Solve a Problem” contest is a chance for you to create a solution for that problem that has been nagging you for some time. Or it might be an opportunity for you to create that “great new product” that that you feel people either want or need? Whatever the idea for the problem that you choose to solve, our contest has two age groups (grades 3-5 and grades 6-8).
Rules
Each problem solution must be submitted in the form of the “Four Steps to Solving a Problem” or – The I.D.E.A. Model. Problem Solving is a highly sought after skill, and the IDEA model is a simple yet effective four-step problem solving process \ Identify the problem, Develop solutions, Execute a plan and then Assess your results..
Here’s an example of a problem that was solved recently at Jefferson Middle School using Tinkercad.
To participate in this contest you’ll need to…
- STEP 1 – Register for the Contest
- STEP 2 – Obtain a copy of the rules of the contest.
- STEP 3 – Download a copy of the rubric used for judging the contest.
- STEP 4 – IDENTIFY a problem that you will try solve.
- STEP 5 – Start to DEVELOP your solution to the problem you’ve chosen to solve. Questions to ask yourself…
- Do you need to improve your Tinkercad skills?
- What other skills or materials will you require to begin the next step of the plan?
- Do you need some help with your “sketching” techniques? Ariel Brindis has a great series on Sketching on YouTube. Subscribe at the bottom of this video to see more.
- STEP 6 – EXECUTE your plan. Be sure to Remember, you will need to upload three separate “screenshots” of your work showing your progress so plan accordingly. We really want to see your progress from start to finish! Or, if you chose to join our class in STEP 1, we will be able to see your progress and you can SKIP this step!
- STEP 7 – ASSESS your results. What could you do to improve your design. What changes would you make if you were to try to solve the problem again (typically called “iterations”).
- STEP 8 – Your final step is to SUBMIT your finished work here!
Prizes awarded for…
- Grand Prize – BEST OVERALL DESIGN – (1 winner) $25 Gift Card (sponsored by Columbia STEM Alliance )
- First Prize – MOST USABLE ITEM – How “earth-friendly” can you make your design? – (2 winners) $20 Gift Card (sponsored by GRAVITY IT Services of Columbia)
- Second Prize – BEST USE OF TINKERCAD – How advanced are your “Tinkercad” skills? – (3 winners) $15 Gift Card (sponsored by GRAVITY IT Services of Columbia)
- Third Prize – MOST WORKING PARTS or “The Rube Goldberg” Awards – (3 winners) $10 Gift Card (sponsored by GRAVITY IT Services of Columbia)
- ALL Winners will have their designs 3D printed!
