The University of Houston, the Texas Learning and Computation Center, and AIAA Houston Section Present: The 2009-2010 Mars Rover Model Celebration January 30, 2010, 12:00-6:00 pm, Houston Room, University Center

1. Student teams will design and construct a model of a robotic Martian surface rover. The rover will carry out a specific, student-defined science mission on the surface of Mars. The model will be small enough to fit into an ordinary grocery bag, will be designed to display on a table top, and will cost no more than $25 for model materials (excluding solar power kit).
2. Models will be entered and judged in either the Solar Power Kit, the Radio Controlled Car (RC), or the Free-Form category.
a. A Solar Power Kit entry is a model built using a teacher-provided Kelvin Scientific Solar Racer Kit Model 840693, a Pitsco Sunzoon Lite Kit, or equivalent (less than $15). The model's wheels or it's internal parts must move when the model is held up to a light source.
b. A Radio Controlled Car model is a model that starts with a specified commercial RC model. Eligible kits include Kelvin Model 280511 and Nikko 180081 1:18 Scale Hummer H2 Remote Control Car available on line from Outpost.com as Outpost #: 4474116. These kits are the only entries allowed to use batteries. Don't overload it. It should still move. The original body can be removed. Instrumentation should be added. An unadorned original "from the box" model is not an entry.
c. A Free-Form entry is not required to move, but hey why not? Free Form entries may use stored mechanical energy (like some wind-up gizmo), but MAY NOT USE batteries or electrical power from a wall socket (or similar shock hazard).
3. Models must be the work of the submitting team. An adult should do any soldering unless a student has had appropriate training and is supervised. The students must do all other work.
4. Creative use of found objects and discarded household items is encouraged - these items will be considered "no cost" ($0) when calculating total model cost.
5. A complete entry will consist of a) a model of a robotic Martian surface rover b) a "guide" booklet describing the mission and the model on the form(s) provided, c) a team effort plan documenting each member's contribution, d) receipts documenting expenses, and e) a presentation skit (less than 5 minutes) performed for the Judges during the exhibition.
6. Judges will probably ask questions after the skit (less than 5 minutes).
7. Model entries will be sorted and judged by grade-level group:
Primary (Grades 3-5) and Middle School (Grades 6-8)
All members of a participating team must be in the same grade-level group. Entries may come from schools, home schools, scout groups, church youth groups, or other youth organizations.
8. Teams may consist of 1-4 students or youths, all from the same grade group. Individual entries are allowed, but we strongly encourage students to work in teams.
9. If a school or youth group holds an internal process to select entries, the teams should stay intact. No "all-star" teams, please.
10. The maximum number of entries will be 150 teams. Nominally, this will comprise 3 teams each from 50 entering groups. If there are fewer than 50 entering groups, all entering groups will be notified regarding number of allowed entries. At least one adult must stay with each team and assist in crowd control or as otherwise requested.
11. The decisions of the Judges are final.
Latest Draft: 8/28/2006.

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In order to have some uniformity of documentation, and to make judging fairer, all teams must include a completed booklet describing their project, using the following forms:

Elementary School Version

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Middle School Version

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Copyright 2003-2009, University of Houston, Edgar Bering, Kim Usey, and Holly Smith. K-12 school teachers may reproduce these materials as needed for teaching purposes. All other rights reserved.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact [eabering@uh.edu].
Last updated: September 25, 2009.