Engineering and mathematics challenge
Bragging rights are on the line
Join us for a day of engineering and mathematical fun.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Event concludes mid-afternoon
- Work on engineering challenges — either individually, or with a group of three or four friends. When you sign up below, either list the other members of your team, ask to be assigned to a team, or specify that you want to complete the challenges individually.
- Test your mathematical problem-solving skills with a collection of open-ended math questions.
You will also meet with Bluffton University faculty and take a campus tour. A light lunch will be provided.
Engineering Challenge
Students will design, build and test a device to meet an objective given by the organizers. (For example, building a bridge out of popsicles or designing a parachute to keep an egg from breaking.) All materials will be supplied. At the end of the build time, all devices will be tested by the judges to see how well they meet the objective.
What students are eligible?
The challenge is geared toward high school juniors and seniors, but high-achieving
sophomores or freshman are welcome. Formal engineering knowledge is not required.
Students should have an interest in building or designing, and a willingness to re-think
as a project progresses. No special tools will be used (only scissors, tape, glue,
etc.).
What is the format?
Students will have one hour to design and build their device. Students can register
to compete as an individual or with a small team. (Each group will be judged separately.)
During lunch, selected students will be acknowledged based on device performance,
design, execution, creativity, resourcefulness and teamwork.
Mathematics Challenge
Test your ability to use math to solve our unusual and challenging problems. This isn’t a math test. It’s a chance to apply your knowledge to questions with more than one way to get an answer (or sometimes questions without a “right” answer at all). During lunch, selected students with creative or unique solutions will be acknowledged.
What students are eligible?
The challenge is geared toward high school juniors and seniors. High-performing younger
students are welcome to participate. An understanding of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry
will be useful. Calculus may be helpful but is not required to complete the challenge.
What is the format?
The mathematics challenge will last one hour. It consists of approximately eight questions.
Students are free to choose which problems they answer. Each question/answer will
be considered independently for recognition – there is no “total score.”
Registration IS NOW CLOSED
Note that there is no charge for this event; everything (including lunch) is free.
Directions to campus >
To request more information, contact Brianna Ferris at ferrisb@bluffton.edu or 419-358-3254.