Registration is now CLOSED!
The FES Mystery Design Competition is sponsored by the University of Florida Student Chapter of the Florida Engineering Society and the University of Florida College of Engineering. Students from middle & high schools, interested in math and science, compete using engineering principals to solve a design situation.
Each year since the Spring of 1990, FES has coordinated and planed the event in cooperation with the College of Engineering. Middle and high schools from Northern and Central Florida are invited to send mutiple teams of 4 to compete in the event.
Students are given a problem and have limited time to produce a result to resolve the given problem. They will be given no prior knowledge as to what they are to accomplish and will be judged on several criteria including creativity and the best use of materials. However, the day leads off with a theory lesson. Students will be educated in the major aspects of the design so they can use that knowledge in their design. Choices will have to be made since one aspect could limit another. Therefore, there is no right answer; only a good balance.
The FES Mystery Design Competition is the biggest FES event of the year with an average 20-30 teams held on the University of Florida campus. Past designs have included the egg drop and an oil derrick constructed from toothpicks and glue. This year's design problem promises to be the most challenging and fun to date.
The Mystery Design Competition is a great way for young people to become involved in science and math at a young age while teaching them the value of teamwork, persistence, and patience; three very valuable and important traits to have as an engineer.
This event is free for students, teachers, and their chaperones. A lunch of pizza and soda will be provided, free of charge.