North Texas Regional Rules

(2023-24) These rules are in addition to or in clarification of the complete list of rules in the Program Handbook.

Teams
  • Teams consist of three 6-8 grade students, one teacher-coach, one mentor (you need to have one)
    • Students must be from the same school (or organization), but not necessarily from the same class or even the same grade.
  • Organizations may enter as many teams as they like. All teams can participate in the early phases of the program. Due to space and time constraints, NTX Region may limit the number of full-participation teams per organization may attend the Regional Event (see competition rules below.)
    • Or, organizations may work in larger groups, class (or classes) and select the three students (one team) that will represent them at the competition.
    • Or, organizations may have multiple teams and hold their own run-off to select the best team to represent them at the regional competition.
SimCity
  • There is no SimCity deliverable requirement this year. However, SimCity remains an excellent means of learning about city design and operation. Codes may be available for the download and we encourage teams to use the program as a tool to test design ideas.
City Essay and Project Plan Deliverables
  • The City Essay and Project Plan deliverables are submitted to judging by uploading file to the NTX CMS
    • Refer to the NTX Schedule for due dates
    • City Essay should be in a common word processing document format (not .pdf)
    • Project Plan blank .pdf forms are available in the Educator Dashboard
Budget and Expenses
  • Teams have a budget for what they can spend on the model, presentation and Q&A deliverables. Expenses can be no more than $100 per team (combined total for model, presentation, and Q&A
    • Purchased items - actual receipts stapled toExpense Form
    • Donated or borrowed items - you must place a value on donated or borrowed supplies: fair market value (E-Bay or garage sale price)
    • Used items - fair market value
    • Recyclable items - (e.g., plastic bottles, soda cans, cardboard, etc.) have $0 value
    • 3-D printed items – valued according to rules in handbook
    • Programmable circuit board (eg, Raspberry Pi) - valued at full cost (no less than $35–see handbook)
  • $100 budget includes all items used in the model, presentation, and Q&A: including displays, costumes, and demonstration aids. It also includes any special props or displays used during Special Awards judging.
Model
  • We will continue to allow models to be built in sections to accommodate both in-personand virtual learning environments.
    1. Your team can choose to build one single model (recommended for teams working together in class)
    2. Your team can choose to build multiple modelsegments. These model segments are separate pieces that represent various sections of the city. Model segments do not need to fit together physically.
  • Scale: A model can contain up to four (4) distinct, clearly defined scales. The differing scales should not randomly applied throughout the model, but used to highlight specific areas or functions.
  • Moving Part(s): Each model (entire model (not each model segment) must contain at least one moving part. Any electrical power must be self-contained (e.g., a household battery and a simple circuit).
  • Models in their basic, transport state have a maximum size of 25 in. x 50 in. x 20 in. This includes any hinged parts (tilting or access to underground structures), braces, backdrops, etc. that might be deployed to illustrate features during the presentation. These deployable parts must be self-supported by model or held by presenter (not spread out on tables, floors, etc.)
    • Models built in multiple segments may not exceed the maximum dimensions when placed together.
    • Model ID cards should be attached to the model in a prominent location.
  • Models will be judged on-site at the Regional Competition event.
Presentation
  • Presentations can be no more than 7 minutes.
  • Presenters: Three students will represent the team in the presentation (teams of fewer than three students will not be disqualified, but a team cannot have more than three presenting). These three students will be considered the “official” team members.
  • The focus of the presentation is on the future city design and the solution to the annual challenge.
  • Demonstration aids. The model is the primary demonstration aid. However, other visual aids may be used to help explain some ideas or concepts. These might include posters, graphics, or photographs. No copyrighted materials (such as music, photos, and videos) may be used.
    • No laptops, no videos, no audio equipment can be used during the presentation.
    • Displays have a maximum size - 24" x 36" (poster boards) or 25" x 30" (flip charts) and no more than two boards/charts displayed at one time. You may stack multiple poster boards on an easel.
    • Alternatively, you can display one 36" x 48" tri-fold board.
    • We will supply one easel per team for the presentation. You may bring an additional easel if you like.
  • Costume and special clothing items must be included in the $100 budget limitation.
    • This includes team outfits (ie., identical shirts, or team t-shirts) and borrowed clothing (eg, lab coats and hard hats)
    • Does not include school uniforms or official FC t-shirts.
  • Props and other demonstration aids used during the presentation (includes everything used during the presentation except for the model, costumes, and display boards) must collectively fit within a 6in x 6in x 12in box. If used, only one 1-page handout allowed.
  • The presentation will take place during the Preliminary Round at the Regional Competition.
Q&A Session with Judges
  • Following the Presentation, the team and judges will begin a 8 minute (max) Q&A session.
    • The three official student team members (and only the student team members) will converse with the judges.
    • Educator, mentor may watch but cannot, under any circumstance or in any way, participate in the Q&A discussion.
    • Any additional team members may watch but will not participate in the Q&A discussion.
  • Props and other demonstration aids used during the Q&A must have their cost included in the budget and recorded on the Competition Expense Form.
Regional Competition
  • Judging of the models and presentations will take place at the Regional Competition Event.
  • Both the preliminary and final rounds will occur:
    • Preliminary round presentations and judging in the morning
    • Final round presentation and judging in the afternoon
  • Special Awards judging will also take place during the morning session.
  • Parents, family and friends are welcome to attend.
  • Preliminary competition - all "full participation" teams (up to a maximum of TBA) are eligible to present
    • (Organizations with multiple Partial participation teams should contact Regional Coordinator for approval and limits on numbers of presenting teams.)
    • Contesting teams will be seeded into groups based on their scores on the project plan and essay portion of the competition.
    • Different sets of judges (engineers and architects from around the Metroplex) will score each group.
    • Team members and their immediate families (above the age of 6) only may watch presentations during the preliminary round.
    • The top 4-6 teams will go to the finals.
      • Only one team per organization may move on to the finals.
  • Final competition - Finalists will present their designs in the auditorium before a special panel of judges and the audience.
  • Awards ceremony - The Regional Competition will conclude with an awards ceremony.
  • Detailed competition agenda will be distributed in December.
Special Awards
  • The rules are the same as the Q&A with regard to team / student participation and use of props and demonstration aids.
    • Only three student team members will converse with the judges
    • Educator, mentor and any additional student team members will not participate in any way.
    • Props and other demonstration aids used during the Special Awards Q&A must have their cost included in the budget and recorded on the Competition Expense Form.
Awards Ceremony and Announcement of Winners
  • Awards ceremony – The NTX Awards Ceremony will take place following the Final Round of judging.
  • 1st place team will receive medals and a trophy and all five members will get airline and hotel expenses at the national competition in Washington, DC during National Engineers Week.(Current plan, depending on circumstances.)
  • 2nd, and 3rd place teams will receive medals, gift certificates for the students, and a monetary award for the sponsoring organization.
  • Companies and professional associations sponsor other special awards, recognizing outstanding effort in special categories. Examples of special awards:
    • Best Essay
    • Team's Choice Best Model
    • Excellence in Civil Engineering
    • Architectural Achievement
    • Excellence in Transportation System Design
Other Rules
  • Deadlines will not be extended. Teams making submittals after the deadlines will receive penalty points.
  • Any conflicts will be resolved locally. There is no appeal.
  • The judges' decisions are final.
  • Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable.

Updated Oct-2023