Maiden NSMQ Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge Slated for June

The National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) will hold its maiden Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge on June 29 & 30, 2021. The theme of the event according to organizers is “Fighting COVID-19 with Innovative Tech Solutions.”

Per a publication sighted by Ghanaeducation.org, all participants are required to build projects that are in line with the theme.

Possible areas that could be considered  for the NSMQ Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge

Robotics and automatic control

Applicants who opt for this in the NSMQ Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge would be expected to robots and automatic control systems
· CovidBots (Covid-19 activity-related robots)
· Automated sanitizing stations

Technical Engineering

 The technical engineering subcategory of the NSMQ sci-tech innovation challenge will cover  Test kits,  Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), Simple open-source ventilators and Innovative ways of studying/schooling from home are eligible for this sub-category

Software Engineering

The Software Engineering subcategory of the NSMQ maiden edition of the Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge will focus on
· User-friendly Covid-19 apps (Contact tracing app, Information app, Self-diagnostic app…)
· Covid-19 related games

Organizers have advised applicants to consider easy-to-build projects that could be assembled within a
space of nine hours.

SELECTION PROCESS & SELECTION PROCESS 

The selection process of the Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge is merit-based, and applicants are  encouraged to give a vivid and true description of the projects they intend entering into the Challenge.

After the deadline, all applications would be reviewed by a board of judges, after which ten (10) applicants would be selected from the entries to participate in the Challenge.

The selection process of the Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge is merit-based, and applicants are encouraged to give a vivid and true description of the projects they intend entering into the Challenge.

After the deadline, all applications would be reviewed by a board of judges, after which ten (10) applicants would be selected from the entries to participate in the Challenge.

The Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge is open to all second cycle students in Ghana who meet the following criteria:

1. Duly registered as students of a given school
2. Must not have written WASSCE, or final examination prior to the year of competition.

TEAM COMPOSITION
1. Each team must comprise three (3) students only – Two competitors and a substitute
2. Each team must have one (1) team leader, who must be a teacher of the school.

Entry Requirements for the NSMQ Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge 

Applicants are strongly advised to read the following entry requirements thoroughly, as well as the rules
of the Challenge before starting the application process.All entries must be in English.

1. Applicants must submit a proposal detailing what the project is about. Proposals must be clear
and concise, and must include the following:
a. Objectives
b. Methodology

Proposal must be submitted in a word document, or PDF, font size 12 (Times New Roman), and must be
double-spaced.

2. Applicants must provide a list of all the specific tools and raw materials that would be needed for
the project.

For instance, if applicants would need a screw driver, specific details would be
needed, for instance, “two screw drivers – a torx and a flat.” All raw materials and tools must be
items that could be sourced locally.

3. An estimated budget for all raw materials and tools that would be needed for the project. Budget
must not exceed GH₵3,500.00.

4. Applicants must provide a three-minute video recording of what the project is about. This may be in the form of a pitch, and it must be done by the students; either one of the three, or all the three students may do it.

The variation in video quality of individual applicants would not affect the selection process, however, videos must be of a quality that would not affect visuals.

In a situation where applicants cannot send a video, applicants are allowed to present the proposal
only, but with more details than a regular proposal and with sketches of the intended project.

5. Full names of the students.
6. Full name of the team leader.

SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES FOR THE CHALLENGE

Application is free. Click on the link below to fill the application form for the Challenge:
http://bit.ly/2021scitechprimetime

FORMAT OF THE SCI-TECH INNOVATION CHALLENGE

The Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge will span two days, and competitors would be required to build and complete their projects within the stipulated time indicated in the Rules of the Challenge.

Primetime would purchase all raw materials and tools for all competitors per their specifications, and the raw

I would make materials and tools available for inspection a day prior to the Challenge.

Judging Criteria of the NSMQ Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge 

The finished projects would be assessed based on the following benchmarks:
· Creativity/Innovation – 30 %
· Technical Complexity – 10%
· Sustainability – 20 %
· Team work – 10%
· Procedure – 15 %
· Presentation – 15 %

ALSO READ: Ghana’s STEM Education Schools: Gov’t to recruit Headmasters – Education Minister

NSMQ maiden edition of the Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge PRIZES

1. Winners

· Students and team leader: GH₵20,000.00
· School: GH₵10,000.00 worth of science equipment
In addition, the team would be presented with a plaque, and each of the team members would receive a laptop.

1. First-runners up
· Students and team leader: GH₵17,000.00
· School: GH₵8,000.00 worth of science equipment
The team would be presented with a plaque, and each of the team members would receive a laptop.

2. Second-runners up
· Students and team leader: GH₵15,000.00
· School: GH₵5000.00 worth of science equipment
The team would also be presented with a plaque, and each of the team members would receive a laptop.

CERTIFICATES AND CONSOLATION PRIZES

Each of the seven (7) remaining participants who do not place would receive a consolation prize of GH₵5000.00, which would be shared as follows:
Students and team leader: GH₵4000.00
School: GH₵1000.00 worth of science equipment.
All competitors would receive a certificate of participation.

GRANTS & SUPPORT

Apart from the prizes, Primetime would assist some of the teams with outstanding projects to access grant support, to scale their projects from the prototype stage to the development stage.

Rules of the NSMQ Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge

Team Composition
1. Team must consist only two members during the Challenge. The only time the team leader may come in is when the team is being interviewed about their project.
2. Substitution of team members is not allowed. A team member may be substituted in extreme emergency cases only.
3. Team members presented during the application process must be the ones to represent the school during the Challenge. Primetime must be informed of any replacement two weeks prior to the Challenge.
4. Schools found to have fielded unqualified contestants would be disqualified, and banned from participating in the Challenge for two (2) years.

General Conduct

All participating schools are expected to conduct themselves with utmost decorum. All forms of misbehaviour are prohibited. Among other things:

1. Participants are to begin the challenge from scratch hence, apart from the raw materials and tools, which would be handed over to team members at the beginning of the challenge, no foreign material would be allowed inside the venue.

Participants must, therefore, avail themselves to be searched before the Challenge begins, to ensure that no one is entering with a foreign material.

After Day One (1), participants would be searched again to ensure they are not moving anything out of the centre.

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