See below for any clarifications for our upcoming 2021 MESA Day Competition:
GENERAL EVENT:
Q: What MIMS credit will students receive?
A: Student will receive (1) Other STEM Competition for submitting their Prepared Design and a MESA Day credit for participation the day of. (2/1/21)
Q: Can teams still participate in the MESA Day event and on site competitions if they don’t submit a prepared design project?
A: REVISED ANSWER: They need to submit a prepared design project to have a full team. See statement released 3/11/21 below:
“Due to the recent announcement for all schools to return to in person learning on April 5, we realize this has unexpectedly impacted some of your capacity and your student contact in preparation for the upcoming registration deadline. There are a couple of rules that we have redefined in scope to hopefully allow participation from more of our programs this mandate may have affected.
- Currently, in order for a school to have an additional team, all previous team(s) must first be full (participate in all events). This allows your last team to be incomplete if desired (not compete in all events). That continues to be true.
- Currently, a Prepared Design (video and template) is due at registration for each team. This requirement has been adjusted as follows.
- A Prepared Design submittal is required for a team to be considered full. If a school wants to bring an additional team(s), all previous teams must be full and have a submitted Prepared Design.
- Your last numbered team is allowed to be incomplete (not compete in all events) and this has been adjusted to include the Prepared Design event along with all the on site events.” 3/11/21
Q: If a team wins first place, does each member receive a Chromebook, or just one for the team?
A: Each individual would receive one. (2/17/21)
Q: Will there be any way for advisors to be involved with onsite events on the day of the competition? Can they log in to the Zoom sessions? Is there any suggested way for them to monitor their students’ participation, and whether or not any of them are having any problems?
A: No, advisors cannot go in any zoom session. It is suggested that advisors meet with their teams prior to the start of competition in a private chat area and that a method be determined for advisor check in. There is a time placeholder in the current agenda for advisors to meet with teams individually. This is the time for advisors to ensure that all students are aware of where they need to be and when. (3/2/21)
Q: Normally alternates are ready to go on the bus on the day of the competition if a team member isn’t able to go. This year, is there any sort of cutoff for participation by alternates? If a member doesn’t log in to a Zoom event, does the alternate join at that point? How is this monitored and/or communicated to the alternate?
A: The best way is for all students to log in prior to the start of competition as described above. If a student does not show at that time, their event can be re-assigned at that time. Only 1 student per school team can be logged into each event and the same student must participate through the entire event. (3/2/21)
Q: Can a student be on Team 1 and an alternate on Team 2.
A: No, a student can only be on one team on competition day. Competition times overlap and a student cannot compete in multiple events or multiple teams. It is suggested to have an alternate that is not obligated to another team. (3/5/21)
Q: Can we send the student packets to the school or to me (the teacher)?
A: Yes, the advisor that completes the application is responsible for placing the mailing address for both the Engineering and Math events. Place whatever address is needed for materials to get to the student. Student home, advisor home, school, etc. (3/5/21)
Q: Can we update our submissions after the 22nd deadline?
A: No, submissions will already be sent for grading. No changes will be allowed after the deadline. However, you can modify/resubmit through the registration portal until the deadline of March 22 at 10AM. (3/17/21)
Q: When do competing students need to have their MESA paperwork (A2 and A1) in?
A: Students need to have their paperwork submitted by 10AM on March 22. MIMS has been a delay, but our website has always been fully active to collect A2 and A1 information. As long as it is collected either in person, through our website, or direct in MIMS, it will be accepted. (3/18/21)
ONSITE MATH:
Q: The onsite math event says to study about mathematicians. That’s a very broad/large topic for an onsite event. Is there any guidance on how to be prepared for the questions relating to this?
A: We’ll try and narrow this down if needed, but just have students look up a couple of interest. (2/17/21)
Q: Why do you ask for the student’s mailing address for this event?
A: Students participating in this event will be mailed a packet of materials that MUST remain closed until the start of competition. This is required to complete the event. If a student needs the alternate to replace them, this packet must be transferred. (3/5/21)
PREPARED DESIGN:
Q: Can the Prepared Design theoretical prototype be an app?
A: Yes, however note the point values/rubric for the prototype and ensure that the designed app meets the scoring requirements. It is up to the team to conceptualize their app to score well versus just being eligible. (3/2/21, UPDATED 3/5/21)
Q: Can the Prepared Design theoretical prototype be a concept?
A: Yes, however note the point values/rubric for the prototype and ensure that the concept meets the scoring requirements. It is up to the team to conceptualize their concept to score well versus just being eligible. (3/5/21)
Q: Do all team members need to be in the video and/or work together on all parts?
A: No, this event was designed so team members could divide up roles in the event that students were unable to be “together” due to remote learning. In the template it asks for each members role in the project which allows for team members to work on different things (some on video, some on drawings, some on template, etc). Also, the video does not have to be a traditional video shoot with all team members in the screen. The video can be a submitted zoom/meet recording where everyone is in different screens. (3/17/21)
ONSITE ENGINEERING:
Q: Why do you ask for the student’s mailing address for this event?
A: Students participating in this event will be mailed a packet of materials that MUST remain closed until the start of competition. This is required to complete the event. If a student needs the alternate to replace them, this packet must be transferred. (3/2/21)
