Regional Competition Information

When and Where

  • Date: March 5, 2012
  • Location: Central Susquehanna IU 16
  • Time: 8:00 – 12:30 PM

Schedule of Category Judging

March 5 Categories to be judged:
Animation (NEW!), Computer Fair Logo, Digital Movie, Graphic Design, Programming (NEW!), and Web Page Design

Schedule of Events:

  • 8:00 - 8:30 - Computer Set-up
  • 8:30 - 8:45 - Welcome Students and Advisors
  • 8:45 - 11:00 - Judging, computer lab time for students, & refreshments
  • 11:00 - 11:20 - Students and advisors may visit projects
  • 11:20 - 11:35 - Awards Ceremony
  • 11:40 - 12:30 - Lunch

Specific Regional Rules

  • Entries are limited to two projects per category or a maximum of twelve projects per district.
  • See copyright section below; failure to follow these copyright rules will disqualify the project at regionals.
  • Display boards or other items that are included with, but are not part of, the project may not contain copyrighted material. Display boards are not judged for appearance; however, they will be inspected and can cause the project to be disqualified if copyrighted material is found.
  • Students may work individually or in groups, but each group must designate a captain as spokesperson for the project. Groups will be limited to three students.
  • Internet connections will not be provided at the competition. If a project relies on internet access, students are responsible for their own internet connection.
  • It is highly recommended that each school bring a laptop computer that has student projects already loaded, power strips, and speakers. This will prevent configuration and compatibility problems.
  • All entries must have a designated faculty member or sponsor.  All entries must be registered online by the faculty member or sponsor. (The faculty member or sponsor also must accompany students to the regional and state competitions.  All communication will go through that person.)
  • There will be no entrance fee charged to either the school district or the student to participate.
  • Each project must have the project number listed in a visible location for the judges.
  • Due to security concerns, the regional events are not open to the public, but arrangements for authorized visitors can be made ahead of time.

Copyright Requirements

The Pennsylvania Computer Fair, although educational, removes the student work from the classroom and therefore requires the student to get permission from the owner to use any copyrighted music, video, graphics etc. Fair use does NOT apply. Remember to credit music or items that were created by yourself or friends as well.

Display boards or other items that are included with but not part of the project may not contain copyrighted material. Display boards are not judged for appearance, however, they will be inspected and can cause the project to be disqualified if copyrighted material is found.

The Copyright Signoff form, Project Narrative/Summary, and Photo Release form have been combined into one file for your convenience (Computer Fair Participation Packet). This completed packet MUST accompany every project. Click here to download.

Narrative Description/Project Summary

Each student must submit a narrative description/project summary with each entry into the PA Computer Fair. The PA Computer Fair Participation Packet includes the document with instructions on what information to include. The summary will be the student's opportunity to provide judges with any background information they wish the judges to be aware of during the judging process. The summary will be placed with each project for the judges to read as they evaluate the student's entry. This summary should not be more than one page and must include the following items:

  • The project's objectives, vision and/or overall purpose.
  • A list of the software applications used to create the project. List any additional equipment (scanners, digital camera, etc.) used in the creation of your project.
  • List the approximate time spent creating the project and name all contributors to the project.
  • If design elements/graphics are included, please describe where the elements originated. Pease include citations of all design elements that are not original.
  • A brief description of the process used to create the project.
  • Any additional information the student's feel the judges should be aware of while evaluating the project.

Hardware/Software

  • All hardware and software will be provided by the student or school district for the competition.
  • Internet connections will not be provided at the competition. If a project relies on internet access, students are responsible for their own internet connection.
  • Each project must have its own computer, if one is required for that category. No projects will share a single computer at the state competition.
  • Each project may bring only one computer.
  • At the competition, students must provide a power strip for their computer. Extension cords will be provided.
  • The logo and graphic design categories will not be allowed to bring a computer or have access to electricity at the state fair. Students must use a computer to develop their project, but only the end product and a descriptive narrative of the project development will be displayed.
  • 3D graphics must be in print form to be eligible.
  • Digital movie projects may bring a single computer and monitor or a DVD. A DVD player and monitor will be supplied at the state competition for the judges to view the projects.
  • Displays and monitors must not exceed 24 inches.
  • Space will be assigned and limited to 3 square feet per project.
  • All projects must be new or significantly changed from previous year entries. The narrative description must describe the enhancements to a project that was previously entered.
  • Narrative descriptions are required for all projects in all categories. They must be detailed to provide judges with information to fairly judge the project.

Other Important Dates

  • February 24, 2012 - All registrations due for the regional fair
  • March 5, 2012 - Regional competition at CSIU
  • May 23, 2012- State Computer Fair - Dickinson College - Carlisle, PA 17013.

Judging Criteria

  • All judging rubrics are posted on the state website.
  • Judges are required to disqualify projects not following computer fair copyright rules.
  • Judges may not have a direct association with the participants.
  • Judges' decisions are final.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If the student(s) do not get permission from the author of work used in their project and document this with their project, will the project by disqualified at regionals?
    Yes!

  • What if there is inclement weather the day of the event?
    Please call our main switchboard (570-523-1155) and listen for important changes in schedules in the event that the CSIU is closed or is on-delay. If this should happen, we will contact you with alternate arrangements.

  • What if school is not in session during the regional event?
    Please give me a call at the phone number and extension listed below and we will work on alternate arrangements for getting the projects entered into the computer fair.

  • Do students have to attend to enter their project?
    Sometimes students who want to submit a project may find that they are unable to attend the regional event. In this case, we can arrange for the submission and judgment of the student’s project. Student participation is encouraged but not required.

  • How do we register for regional and states?
    Use this link to register for the regional event http://www.pacomputerfair.org. Projects that get first place in a category are promoted to the state competition.

  • How important is the project number?
    When you register your students, you will be assigned a unique number for each project. This number must be displayed on the project summary and will be required if your student takes first place in a category and moves onto states.

  • If my student(s) wins first place, how do I register for states?
    Student projects that take first place in their category at the regional event will be entered in the state competition by the CSIU. The project number will identify the project.

  • Is there any cost to participate in the regional events?
    There are no registration or participation costs for students or sponsors to attend the regional event.

  • Can I help with anything ahead of time to make the regional event a grand success?
    Please make sure that students have completed all paperwork and have the necessary signatures ready to hand in at the start of the regional event. Always ask if you have questions!

  • Are there any costs for first place winners to attend states?
    There are no registration or participation costs for students or sponsors to attend the state event.

  • If our students win, will we need to do our own district press release to the media?
    Yes, districts are encouraged to submit pictures and press releases to all the local newspapers in our five county region.

Directions

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit: http://www.csiu.org/index.cfm?pageid=585

For More Information

Bill Herald
Technical Support and SQA Manager
CSIU Computer Services
PO BOX 213
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Voice: 570-523-1155 extension 2176
Fax: 570-523-6122
Email:bherald@csiu.org
http://www.csiu.org