"Multi-Purpose" Vehicle Challenge 2004

MESA USA presents its national engineering design competition specifications for the 2003-2004 academic year. The vehicle will be powered by a mousetrap. High School and middle school teams selected to participate at the national event will compete in the four components.

Vehicle Performance - Teams will research, design, build, test and launch a spring powered vehicle. The performance of the high school vehicle will be judged in three tasks: (1) Fastest time over 10 meters - speed; (2) Farthest distance up a 30 degree incline - power; and (3) Nearest stop to 5 meter target - accuracy. Note* The middle school vehicle will be judged on the first two tasks only.

• Technical Paper - Teams will submit a 5-15 page technical paper that details the design, development, experimentation and understanding of their vehicle.

• Academic Display - Teams will present the findings of the above-described research in display format. The display might include items such as data (e.g. charts and graphs), photographs, drawings, other ideas, and necessary written explanations.

• Oral Presentation - Teams will make an oral presentation based on investigation, experimentation, design, testing, and experiences related to their vehicle. This presentation will be delivered to a panel of judges. After the presentation, teams will be asked questions by the judges.

The first place middle and high school teams from State events will travel to the national competition. These teams must compete in all tasks listed above. This event is tentatively scheduled to occur in Albuquerque, NM on June 25-27, 2004.

Download the Rules for the MPV Challenge (.pdf).