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2024 ENGINEERING DESIGN SHOWCASE

Thursday, April 11th
4:30pm - 7:00pm 
The Ion

Please check back often for updates.


Team Information

Registration | Competition Day Agenda | Expectations| Video Guidelines| Poster Guidelines

REGISTRATION

Registration OPENS:  March 1st
 Registration DEADLINE:  April 1st

Teams that register by March 18th, will be eligible to win a $25 gift card for the team!!

VERY IMPORTANT! If your team already has a profile on the OEDK website, all you need to do is follow the registration link below.  If you do NOT have a profile on the OEDK website, you will be prompted to create a team profile (membership) on the OEDK site BEFORE you register for the showcase. 

PLEASE NOTE:

Creating a team profile DOES NOT automatically register the team for showcase.
You must do the following:

  1. Login to the OEDK website with your TEAM PROFILE login - create a profile if your team does not already have one. 
  2. Register your team for showcase at: TEAM SHOWCASE REGISTRATION (goes live March 1st)

Once the event registration has been completed, you will receive a confirmation email using the email listed in your team profile. If you don’t see a confirmation email, please check your spam folder for email from OEDK@wildapricot.org.

No cancellations, late registrations or walk-ups will be accepted.


TEAM REGISTRATION

COMPETITION DAY AGENDA

9:00am - Teams who are having the OEDK move their prototype must have their items labeled, packed up and ready to go by 9:00am in the designated area in the OEDK. More information in the PROTOTYPE ASSISTANCE section below. 

9:00am - Teams who want the OEDK to transport their poster to the showcase location must have their poster labeled with the OEDK provided label and laid flat at the designated table in the OEDK Maker Bar by 9:00am. More information in the POSTER section below. 

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12:30 - 3:30pm - Student check-in and set-up. All teams MUST be set up by 3:30pm.

    • Teams who have their boxes or projects moved by the OEDK will have these items placed at their poster location.
    • Teams who choose to leave after setting up must return and stand by their poster by 4pm.
    • Refer to Set-up instructions below.  

      Snacks and light refreshments will be provided.

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4:00pm  - Students stand near their projects and get ready for judging. Full team should be present if possible

4:30pm  - Competition – Judging starts

6:00pm  - Judging concludes - Scorecards turned in 

6:30pm  - Awards Ceremony

7:00pm  - Showcase closes, teams pack up and take posters down. Disassemble the poster display frame and bring them to the designated area at the registration desk. Teams that have prearranged moving help - pack up boxes and put them in designated area. Please return your poster and lay it flat in the cardboard box at the registration area, and we’ll bring it back to the OEDK. to Tear-down instructions below.  


BELOW are a few guidelines about the event. PLEASE READ THROUGH EVERYTHING! If you have ANY QUESTIONS or concerns at all, please notify the OEDK immediately.

EXPECTATIONS

NEXT STEPS - AFTER YOU REGISTER: VERY IMPORTANT

  • REVIEW ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE!
  • Create a short 1-2 minute video presentation that demonstrates your project or represents your project well.
  • VIDEO LINK MUST BE UPLOADED BY 8am Monday, April 8th in the field provided on your OEDK web profile.
  • Prepare and print a 48x36 poster to present on the day of showcase.
  • If applicable, finalize your prototype to be demonstrated on the day of showcase.
  • Upload a team group photo to your photo album on your OEDK web profile.
  • MAKE SURE you check with your faculty member if there are other expectations or requirements for your team.

VIDEO GUIDELINES

  • Maximum 2 minutes
  • May edit video but no music
  • Pitch project
  • Show demo where appropriate
  • Content is up to the team.  Try to represent your project well!!
  • Reference poster if applicable
  • Can’t use a professional videographer, unless someone on your team happens to be one :D

Please note: 
Videos will be posted live on the showcase website a couple of days before the showcase date. Judges will be encouraged to review them but it is optional.  The videos themselves should/will not be judged. The videos are to help supplement your presentation and to give judges a preview of your work. 

POSTER Guidelines

  • Poster guidelines: All posters should be 48x36 (48 is the absolute largest width allowed) – CLICK HERE for some examples, poster checklist, and LOGO DOWNLOADS!

  • POSTER PRINTING:
You MUST have an OEDK printer ID/PW to print in the OEDK. If you do not, you may acquire one through a member of the OEDK staff.
  • Choose printer: OEDK-PosterPlotter
  • Click Properties button
  • Choose paper size: Arch E (Choose “more” from the drop down menu to select this size)
    • PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE – There will be many teams all trying to print at the same time. Please be patient.
    • ASSISTANCE TRANSPORTING YOUR POSTER:
      If you would like the OEDK to transport your poster over the showcase location, please place your poster laid flat and labeled with the label provided at the designated table in the OEDK Maker Bar by 9:00am on April 11th. Please follow the instructions at the table when dropping off your poster. 
      • To make things a little easier for all of us, please make sure to label your poster. We have provided labels for you, which will be at the Maker Bar table. Please label your poster with your team sticker label on the TOP RIGHT BACKSIDE of your poster. Then lay the poster flat in the cardboard box, with your sticker visible and the poster facing down. You can also take your poster over to The Ion yourself, if you like. may start putting your poster at the designated table in the OEDK Maker Bar on Monday, April 8th at 10:00am. 

    PROTOTYPE ASSISTANCE

    If your team would like assistance getting your prototype and/or OEDK computer over to the showcase site, YOU MUST do the following!
      • Communicate with OEDK staff about your needs ASAP!
      • Label and pack up boxes/prototype with care. The Ion is approximately 2 miles away from the OEDK. Labeled boxes/prototypes may be set by the OEDK's rolling garage door beginning April 8th for the movers.
      • Be packed up and ready to meet the movers at the OEDK at 9am on Thursday, April 11th. The movers will move your boxes/prototype to the showcase site. OEDK staff will meet the movers at The Ion to unload your items. You MUST set up your prototype and/or computer at The Ion between 12:30-3:30pm. 
      • If you need to bring an OEDK computer, boxes will be provided, but you must pack up the computer yourself. Boxes will be available on Monday, April 8th near the OEDK loading dock.  You may get one from the OEDK staff.
      • Any projects placed on the ground that could damage the floor would have to have some sort of covering beneath them (i.e. tarp, plywood, etc.) to protect it. Please communicate this to OEDK staff ASAP.
      • If your team is moving items in or out of The Ion themselves, please use the main entrance. The main entrance has a standard swinging door. If your project is too large to fit through door, you must arrange assistance from the Design Technicians to use the loading door located at the back end of the Ion.
      • When showcase is closed, teams are to pack up their prototype/materials, take their poster down, and disassemble the poster display frame. Teams that have prearranged moving help - pack up boxes and put them in designated area. Poster display frames must be returned to the designated area.
      • Team items will be returned back to the OEDK the evening of April 11th.

      SET-UP

      • Set up your prototypes and posters between 12:30pm - 3:30pm on Thursday, April 11th, at The Ion. The EARLIER the better! Teams may leave and return by 4:00pm. 
      • Teams must be set-up by 3:30pm. Things can go wrong if you are late.
      • Packaged snacks will be provided during set-up, so get there early for that as well! There will be additional packaged snacks available to all participants during the event.
      • You will have an assigned location. So you must check in at the Student Registration Table for your assigned location, and to pick up your velcro for your poster. Student name badges will be placed at your assigned team table.

      • IMPORTANT NOTE: The Ion DOES NOT allow items on WHEELS to go through their main entrance. Anything on wheels must be loaded in through the Ion loading dock located off of Wheeler near Fannin and must be coordinated in advance with a Design Technician. Check with the team registration table if you need guidance.

      • Internet Access will be wireless.  Please make sure that any programs needed, will run off of a wireless  network.  There is NO hardwired network connection. Let an OEDK staff member know if you need help with this. 

      • There is limited water available for projects on-site at the Ion. The team is responsible for getting water and bringing it to The Ion. Water must be contained. See the Student Registration Table for a shower curtain or kiddie pool.

      • Staff will be on site to watch your stuff if you have to leave after setting up your prototype and poster.

      TEAR-DOWN

      • Tear down will begin at around 7:00pm. 
      • Tear down MUST be complete by 7:45pm. If you need to re-enter The Ion after 7:00pm, you must click the intercom button and get buzzed in by security.
      • Please take down your poster and drop it off at the registration desk, laid flat. (Unless you need it for another event)

      • If using an OEDK supplied computer, please pack it up and move it to the designated “pick-up” area. If you had the OEDK help with your prototype as well, please secure it and move it to the “pick-up” area as well.  Movers will pick up your items immediately after showcase and move them back to the OEDK Thursday evening.

      • Disassemble the poster display frame and bring them to the designated area at the registration desk. Instructions will be provided for you.

      • REMINDER: The Ion DOES NOT allow items on WHEELS to go through their main entrance. Anything on wheels must be unloaded through the Ion loading dock located off of Wheeler near Fannin. Check with the team registration table if you need guidance.



      COMPETITION and JUDGING

      • Teams Check-in from 12:30 - 3:30pm.
      • Teams MUST begin to stand near your poster close to 4:00pm and prepare your prototype (if applicable) for judging.
      • Judging will start promptly at 4:30 pm.  Awards will be announced shortly after 6:30 pm. 
      • Judges will judge on two criteria, Technical Merit and Presentation Clarity, scoring between a 1 (poor) and 10 (excellent).  The technical merit score counts twice. 

      • Each team will be judged between 3 -5 times, depending on the number of judges. Each judge will score between 4-6 teams.

      • You can expect a wide variety of audience… faculty, industry partners, community members, donors etc.

      PUBLIC EVENT

      • Invite your friends and family to come out and see your success!!  The showcase is open for viewing from 4:30pm - 7:00pm. For more information about the public event, please send your guests to the Showcase Webpage

      THE ION

      • The Ion is located in Downtown Houston at 4201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002. See map below.
      • You are responsible for your own transportation to and from The Ion. 
        Transportation will NOT be provided to or from The Ion. You may drive yourself, take the Light Rail, or use your own preferred method of commuting. Note: you will NOT be reimbursed for your commute.
      • TEAM PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:
      • Enter 4203 Fannin Street into your GPS for directions directly to the Red Lot.
        • The Red Lot, across the street from the Ion, is for visitors and event attendees. This parking lot has been equipped with Zero5 technology that reads a driver's license plate upon entry and scans it again at the exit to determine the amount due. The first three hours of your visit are free of charge; anything beyond three hours will incur a charge. Payments can be made by credit card or mobile payment; the system is cashless and ticketless for seamless entry and exit. (Enter only – Fannin Street, Exit only – San Jacinto Street). 
        • If the Red Lot fills up, visitors and event attendees can overflow to the Ion District Garage or Greentown Labs Parking. Ion District parking information is available here.
        • Red + Yellow Lot Pay Link
        • Teams may request a reimbursement for parking by filling out a petty cash voucher. You must include your dated receipt for your parking payment. You may drop off the petty cash form along with your receipt to the OEDK Accounting Specialist’s office in the OEDK, Room 103, or email them to her at sukaina@rice.edu.

      • LIGHT RAIL: Rice University is located adjacent to METRO Red Line light rail corridor. This system connects Rice with downtown Houston, midtown, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, and the Reliant Park complex. Additionally, numerous bus lines stops are within walking distance of the Rice campus, including the 26/27, 73, 8, and 34 among others.
      • From Rice, use the METRO Red Line light rail northbound to the Wheeler Transit Center stop. This is the closest light rail station to The Ion.
      • The METRO QCard Ride Sponsor partnership enables Rice University Students to obtain a METRO QCard for use on regularly scheduled METRO transportation systems, including the light-rail, during the academic year. Student METRO QCards offer a 50% discounted ride fare, with local METRO bus and light-rail service at $0.60 per ride. Visit https://cashier.rice.edu/metro-qcards for full details and to access the Metro QCard Request form.
        • Undergraduate Students: Rice University Undergraduate students are eligible to receive a free Student METRO QCard. Undergraduate cards are loaded with $6.00 and the balance will replenish automatically as funds are used, receiving up to $30.00 in rides per month, at no cost to the student (replacement card fees may apply).
        • Graduate Students: Graduate students may be eligible to purchase a Student METRO QCard at a reduced price of $55.00. Graduate cards are loaded with $250.00 and can be refilled annually, upon request. 



      Contact us

      Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
      Rice University

      6100 Main Street MS 390 | Houston, Texas | 77005

      Phone: 713.348.OEDK

      Email: oedk@rice.edu

      Lead Industry Partners