Providing the tools to inspire the problem solvers of tomorrow. The world faces an unprecedented need for new innovators, thinkers, and problem solving leaders. Our goal is to create engaging, affordable, and powerful solutions that immerse students in STEM through the excitement of building and programming robots.
VEX Robotics Photography Challenge
Showcase youth using VEX to explore STEM. Compose a photograph that features one or more students working on a robot, testing, planning or celebrating your VEX team’s accomplishments. Use photography to tell the judges something about your own story of involvement on a competition team, in a classroom, or as a hobbyist working with VEX.
| Elementary School | Middle School | High School | College / University | No Grade Level Restrictions |
| VEX IQ Robotics Competition | VEX V5 Robotics Competition | VEX U Robotics Competition |
Prizes
Prize(s): Each of the top 10 entrants chosen by the judges will receive a $50 VEXrobotics.com gift certificate.
Eligibility
- Entrant grade range: Elementary, middle school, high school, and university students.
- VEX competition team requirement: No team requirement.
- Previous Online Challenge entries are not eligible for submission.
- This is an individual competition, not team or school; and only one photo may be submitted per person.
Requirements
These are the minimum requirements for this challenge. The “Judging Information” section below will provide additional guidance on how your project will be judged. Failure to fulfill any of these requirements may result in your entry being disqualified from advancing to Finalist or Winner status.
Showcase youth using VEX to explore STEM. Compose a photograph that features one or more students working on a robot, testing, planning or celebrating your VEX team’s accomplishments. Use photography to tell the judges something about your own story of involvement on a competition team, in a classroom, or as a hobbyist working with VEX. Think about how your experience in the VEX program has had an impact on your life, school or community.
- 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. Submissions that are too large or not in JPEG format will not be considered.
- You must also include a short statement in English of up to 50 words describing what we see in the photo. Describe why you selected this photo: include the who, what, when and where, the reason you chose this photo, and what idea or concept it conveys relating to STEM exploration.
- You also need to label your photo submission with a title, not just a file name or number. Your description should support why you chose this title for your 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).
- Instructions to upload your photograph:
- Click the green Enter Challenge button on the right side of the screen.
- Fill out the submission form, and type your text in the Full Description box according to the Requirements for this challenge.
- Click Save.
- Click the blue Files/Images button in the upper right of the screen.
- Drag/Drop your photo file into the Upload a File box.
- Be sure to edit the Display Name and file information according to the Requirements for this challenge.
- Save your edits and click Update on the entry screen.
- Your submission will now show when you click the blue All Entries button to view the challenge entries.
Judging Information
The winning submissions will be chosen by the staff of VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation, along with additional design professionals, using the judging criteria. The top ten photographs will be recognized online and will receive the prizes listed above.
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.
- Make your color saturation realistic. Please avoid significant over- or under-saturation.
- Do not use the alteration "filters" available in digital photo editing software.
- Black and white images are acceptable.
- Cropping is acceptable.
Evaluation
- Does the photograph tell a compelling story and is it clearly focused on the topic?
- Does the picture show something that emphasizes youth involvement with STEM and robotics?
- Is the photo technically well done? Does it make effective use of lighting and composition?
- Does the description (50 words maximum) clarify the idea or concept 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?
Deadline Information
Current time:
Fri, Dec 13, 2024 8:00 PM CST
Opens:
Wed, Sep 7, 2016 12:00 AM CDT
Closes:
Wed, Jan 11, 2017 11:00 PM CST
Voting Ends:
Fri, Jan 27, 2017 2:00 PM CST