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3. VRC Middle School - Photography Challenge

Community voting for this challenge will open at 2pm Central time on February 9th. To place your vote, click on the "View Finalists" button under the "Entries" heading. View the entries using the links in the list of Finalists, and click on the thumbs-up icon on the page for your favorite entry to vote for it. Note that you must be logged into the system to place a vote.

Calling all VEX photographers! You know that math is crucial to robotics…but can you visualize it? For this challenge, take a photo that encapsulates the intersection between VEX Robotics and mathematics and share it with us. Math is everywhere, but it’s sometimes hard to find, so be creative!

Remember that mathematics is much more than numbers!

• Geometrical shapes,

• patterns or sequences,

• formulas,

• tessellations,

• fractals,

• and many other things!

 

Prizes

After the initial phase of judging has taken place, the TOP TEN (10) finalists will be selected. Community voting will then open up to select the 1st place winner.

1st: $200 VEX Robotics gift certificate

9 Finalists: $100 VEX Robotics gift certificate

Finalists and winners will be selected at each of the following programs and grade ranges, for a total of five (5) prize packages:

• VIQC Elementary School

• VIQC Middle School

• VRC Middle School

• VRC High School

• VEX U

Eligibility

Teams must be part of a registered VRC Middle School team for the current season.

• This page is for VRC Middle School entries only - if you are any other program or grade level, please refer to the Online Challenge Page to find the correct page for your program and grade level.

• Only one entry per team is permitted. However, each team in a multi-team school or club program may submit one entry. For example, teams 123A and 123B could each submit an entry, but team 123A could not submit two entries. Entries must vary in content and presentation to be considered separate entries. 

• Entries submitted in previous years’ Online Challenges are not eligible for submission this year.

Requirements

Rules of the Challenge The challenge is to submit a photo that best represents what you love about being involved in robotics and that tells a complete story, focusing on a favorite aspect of VRC. The submission should fit the theme for the current season and convey an emotion, specifically the feeling you experience when you are doing what you love most. The theme for the photography challenge for the 2022-2023 season is: Mathematics. Things to keep in mind for a successful submission: A digital photograph in JPEG (.jpg) format, up to 20MB in size. The photograph needs to be at least 1000 pixels wide in the case of a horizontally-oriented image, or 1000 pixels high for a vertical image. You also need to label your photo submission with a title for the file name. Your title should support why you chose this photo. Only one photo may be submitted per person, so pick your best! This is an individual competition, not team or school. Upload your photograph directly to this online challenge site during the submission process (20MB maximum file size) You should include a short statement in English of up to 100 words describing what we see in the photo and explaining your intent to the judges. Technical Details A submission must meet these minimum requirements in order to be judged. The photograph must be solely produced by student. It is acceptable for adults to assist with downloading any necessary resources or submitting the project where students may need permission. Format: A digital photograph in JPEG (.jpg) format with the title of your photograph as your file name Description of photo in 100 words or less in a PDF file Size:  A digital photograph in JPEG (.jpg) format, up to 20MB in size. The photograph needs to be at least 1000 pixels wide in the case of a horizontally-oriented image, or 1000 pixels high for a vertical image. Photograph and text must be appropriate for all ages. Upload Instructions Click the green Enter Challenge button on the right side of the screen. Fill out the submission form and type a brief description of your challenge entry in the Full Description box. Click Save. Click the blue Files/Images button in the upper right of the screen. Drag/drop your PDF files into the Upload a File box. Edit the Display Name and file information to include your entry name and team number. Save your edits and click Update on the entry screen.

Judging Information

 

The winning submissions will be chosen by the staff of VEX Robotics along with additional design professionals, using the judging criteria. The TOP TEN (10) photographs will be recognized as finalists online and will then go through community judging to determine the winner.

Technical Rules for the Contest

• Submit photographs that are un-manipulated and real. We want to see what you see, not the result of Photoshop manipulation.
• Do not digitally enhance or alter your photographs beyond the basics of realistic color balance and sharpness. Do not digitally add or remove anything.

Evaluation

• Does the photograph tell a compelling story and is it clearly focused on the topic?
• Does the picture convey an emotion or feeling that can be experienced with robotics?
• Is the photo technically well done? Does it make effective use of lighting and composition?
• If a statement was also submitted, does the description (100 words maximum) support the image and mood depicted in the photo? Does it describe the reason this photo was selected for this challenge, and does it add to the story the photo itself is telling? Is the description clear and well written, with proper grammar and sentence structure?  
• Does the title of the photo support the description and idea or concept presented?

Judging Criteria

• Up to 5 points for correct format of digital photograph

• Up to 5 points for correct format of written description

• Up to 15 points for photo tellling a compelling story that meets the theme of the current theme

• Up to 15 points for emotion conveyed through photo

• Up to 15 points for technique and effective use of lighting and composition

• Up to 15 points for the description supporting the image and mood of the photo

• Up to 5 points for the title supporting the description of the photo

Current time:
Sat, Oct 5, 2024 3:50 AM CDT

Opens:

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 12:00 AM CST

Closes:

Fri, Jan 13, 2023 2:00 PM CST

Voting Ends:

Mon, Feb 20, 2023 5:00 PM CST

All Entries
View Finalists
View Winners