Important Announcement:
Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, CIE/USA-DFW has decided to CANCEL SECC for the safety of all contestants, judges, volunteers, and their families. Please email cie-secc@cie-dfw.org if there are any questions, and thank you for your understanding in this matter. We hope to see you all next year!

2020 SECC:

Interested in exploring the basic concepts of Math and Physics through a DIY project and playing a “Catapult Game”? Or a STEM coding project on school calculator to program TI Rover-robot for a prediction race? Or design and 3D-print an object using free-access software “Altair365” to explore the concepts of Math and Physics? Or hear STEM professionals on cool STEM topics? If you are, register to attend DFW 2020 SECC for a tons of STEM experience and fun! Scroll down to see event details.

SECC Program is designed for grades K to 12th to inspire students’ interest in STEM through hands-on & creativity projects, recognition, real world challenges, and interaction with industry. This is a STEM event that supports the National Discover-E Engineers Week. SECC consists of three programs: Free hands-on workshops (pre-competition), Competition, and STEM Seminars & Fun.

Eligibility & Divisions:

For SECC Competitions:
Students currently enrolled in grades K to 12th in fall 2019. Three divisions as listed below.
For STEM Seminars & Free Workshops:
Students in grades K to 12th and parents are welcome !!

Division-C:
“3D-print Beam” — Grades 9th to 12th (high-school). See bottom for project details.

SECC Awards:

Competition winners on 3/28/2020 will receive following cash awards.
Division-C (9-12th):  1st place: $350     2nd place: $300     3rd place: $250

* The winners of each division will also receive a trophy at the event award ceremony, presented by corporate sponsors. Award recipients will also be recognized at CIE website and eNewsletter, local news media, and showcased in CIE Annual Convention in August.

Registration & Fees:

For Workshops on 1:30PM-4:30PM on SUN 12/15/2019 and 1/26/2020: FREE
For Competition on SAT 3/28/2020:
— Division-A: $25 per team whose parent is CIE or SHPE member; $35 per team for others
— Division-B & C: $30 per team whose parent is CIE or SHPE member; $40 per team for others
— Accept both individual and team registration.
— Students are encouraged to form a team to learn team work and share responsibility & cost.
For STEM Seminars on SAT 3/28/2020: FREE
— STEM education, fun, and projects
— Prize drawing : TI Calculator for high-school, TI-Innovator Hub, and more.
To become a CIE member, visit http://www.cie-dfw.org/members/memberinformation.php

Tool Kits and Costs:

Division-C (9-12th): 3D-print Beam
o  “Altair365” software to design 3D-print objects.
— Contestants will be provided with a FREE student account to access “Altair365” online remotely.
o  Material costs and printing fees at local 3D-print shops, $100~$200.
— Total cost depends on number of designs and/or iterations.
— CIE will reimburse 50% of the total 3D-print expenses, up to $120, for each team attended the
competition (purchase receipts required).
o  Each team IS required to submit up to three 3D-print beam designs.
o  Each team IS required to make an oral presentation on how they tackle the challenge.
o  Each team is also required to turn-in a project poster excerpted from their presentation slides.
— Poster: 36” (height) x 48” (width) white tri-fold corrugate project display board.
o  Scroll down to see project details.

Project Details:

Tournament Rules:

o Each individual or team shall submit up to 3 copies of the 3D-print beam design at the competition.
o Each team is required to make an oral presentation on how they tackle the challenges.
o Each team is also required to turn-in a project poster with their presentation slides (selected).
o Beams will be weigh and averaged for final design weight.
o Beams will be mounted on the base and loaded gradually with weight until mechanical failure is observed. Failure load will calculated by the average weight applied to each beam.
o Designs must be 3D-printed with ABS or PLA plastic.
o No post treatment of the 3D-printed parts are allowed other than clean up from the build process.

Designs will be judged based on the following guidelines and order of importance:
1. Performance: Teams will be awarded a score from 1 to 10 based on their weight performance. The best performing part will be taken into account.
2. Weight: A score from 1 to 10 will be awarded based on the average weight of the beam design relative to other team’s entries.
3. Innovation: A score from 1 to 10 will be awarded based on overall design creativity (oral presentation).
The winners of the challenge will be determined by the team that is awarded the most points.

Resources:

Students are encouraged to search for resources on-line. Here are some URL links for reference.
Altair365 Blog
Altair365
What is 3D printing?
Youtube Video1
Youtube Video2