“STEM’S Issue”
Poster Board Competition
LEVEL:
Middle School and High School
TYPE OF CONTEST:
Team
COMPOSITION OF TEAM:
2 – 3 students per team; teams are school-site based
Students may only participate on one team
NUMBER OF TEAMS:
Schools must have at least 4 teams for competition to take
place.
OVERVIEW:
The MESA “STEM’S Issue” Poster Board Competition is
designed to encourage students to create and design a
STEM Magazine where they will be featuring an influential
STEM professional. Students must choose a recognized
individual in the STEM field, (ex: Steve Jobs, Apple
Products). The team must pitch their idea to the publishers
(MESA Judges)
After choosing a person, students will design and create a
poster board display of the inside of their magazine. A full
article on their featured STEM professional should be
displayed; what field of STEM were/are involved in,
contributions to the field, any education and/or experience,
how they first became involved in STEM and how different
would our world be without their contribution.
Aside from the article, students must come up with at least
two more sections that will be included in their magazine,
which is related to the field of their STEM professional. (Ex:
advancements in technology, engineering, math, etc.)
Information must be displayed on the poster board.
In addition to creating a poster board, students will be
expected to create and present their magazine cover and
answer questions about their magazine and featured
STEM professional.
Students are encouraged to be as creative as possible in
the presentation, adhering to the following guidelines:
MATERIALS:
The Team will provide the following:
Visual Material (Aid) and/or literature
Laptop & LCD projector for Power Point Presentation
(optional)
RULES:
1.
Teams will create a magazine that will feature a STEM professional and develop a
poster board/display. Teams must include a poster board as a part of their
display. The individual presented on the board must be recognized to make a solid
contribution to the world of STEM.
2.
Team members will create a magazine that highlights a STEM professional and two
sections on their magazine that includes new advancements in the field of their
chosen individual. Students’ poster board/display must highlight at least the following
4 sections:
a. Biography of the Individual (Who is she/he? Education/Experience? How did
they start in the field of STEM? What is the branch of STEM are/were they a part
of?)
b. Benefit of the innovation to Society. What benefits (i.e. social, environmental,
technological, etc) did or will society reap from this individual’s
findings/contributions?
c. Without them. (How would our world today be different had this individual not
pursued a career in STEM? What innovations/technology would we lack?)
d. Advancements in their field. (Include at least two sections that talk about
advancements made in the field of your chosen STEM professional. What is it?
Why is it beneficial?)
3.
Team must create a name for their magazine. Name of magazine will be
prominently displayed.
4.
Poster boards must clearly be labeled with all team members first and last names,
school, and advisor on the back upper right hand corner.
5.
Only one (1) poster board per team may be submitted.
6.
Teams must construct a model of their magazine cover. Computer generated, letter
size (8.5” x 11”) .
7.
Teams are expected to research and write an article on their chosen professional.
Article must include a biography of the individual, what field of STEM are/were they
working on, the education and work experience that individual obtained, how did they
get their start in the field, what contribution(s) have they made to society, and what
would our world be today if that individual wasn’t a part of STEM.
8.
Teams will present the information to other participants and to judges.
9.
Team members will become knowledgeable about the chosen individual so that they
will clearly communicate to others valued information regarding their featured
professional. Team members will be able to effectively and succinctly answer
questions about their selected professional. Students may refer to notes/visual aids,
but may not read entire information from those sources.
10.
Each member of the team will actively and equally participate in the oral
presentation.
11.
Posters may contain any pictures/insignias/emblems etc. from a published source.
This includes but is not limited to post cards, pictures from brochures, downloaded
images from websites, t-shirts, university trinkets, pendants &/ or stickers.
12.
Extra points will be given to those who chose an individual in Engineering.
13.
In addition to the poster board, teams may use other paraphernalia, literature,
brochures, pictures, and/or banners for their display. The following pre-printed
materials may be displayed: pens, pencils, cups, stickers, pennants, literature from
company, post cards, posters, etc. While Teams may use these items, please keep
in mind that creativity is a key factor in the judging criteria. Professionally made
banners are not permitted; however, Teams may create their own banners.
14.
Sources used for poster research must be clearly cited on the poster board.
15.
Teams must be registered by May 2nd, 2014 to be able to compete. Competition
dates will be up to advisor’s discrepancy. NO EXCEPTIONS.
JUDGING:
1.
Poster board/displays will be judged during the pre-judging period. No teams will be
allowed in the competition site during the pre-judging period.
2.
During the presentation portion of the competition, teams will have a period of five
minutes to conduct their presentation. After the presentation, judges will ask
questions. Teams should be prepared to be evaluated.
3.
Teams will be evaluated on the criteria specified on the attached rubric. The Scoring
Criteria consists of a rubric that includes areas pertaining to the overall team
presentation: Visual Display, Creativity, Content, and Oral Performance.
4.
In the event of a tie, Teams will be invited back by the judges and draw a question
randomly. Teams will have 2 minutes to address the question.
AWARDS:
Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Each
member of winning teams will receive a cash prize that will be
distributed amongst team members evenly. 1st place - $100.00;
2nd place - $75.00; 3rd place - $50.00
ATTACHMENTS:
Scoring Criteria, Poster Board Example
Example of Poster Board Display
Students reserve the right to modify the layout of the poster board to their desire, with
the exception of the labeling; student names, team name, and school.
Student Names, Team
Name, School
Advancements in
their field. Section
(1)
-Include visual aids
to support
information.
Ex: graphs, pictures,
charts, etc.
[Name of the Magazine]
State the general idea
behind the magazine.
Ex:
-What age demographic
are you targeting?
-How can this magazine
help students in STEM?
[Name of the
STEM
Professional]
Display information
from sections A,B,
and C of Page 2 from
the rules.
-Biography of STEM
Professional
-Benefit to society
Advancements in
their field. Section (2)
-Without them our
world would…
-Include visual aids to
support information.
Ex: graphs, pictures,
charts, etc.
Remember to include
visual aids!