Regional Competition Information

When and Where:

  • Date: April 26, 2012
  • Location: Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit, Smethport
  • Time: 8:30 - 12:30pm

Schedule of Events:

  • 8:30 am - 9:00 am - Registration and Set-up
  • 9:00 am - 10:30 am - Judging and Student Learning Sessions
  • 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Student Sharing of Projects
  • 11:00 am - 11:15am - Awards/Closing
  • 11:15 am - 11:45am - Pack up Projects
  • 11:45 am - 12:30pm - LUNCH

Specific Regional Rules

  • Entries will be limited to one project per category per high school.
  • A local competition may be held by your school to determine the regional entries for each category.
  • Students may work individually or in groups, but each group must designate a 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 with the student projects already loaded. This will prevent configuration and compatibility problems.
    • If you are not able to bring a laptop, you will need to have your project at the IU one week prior to the competition date.
    • You may also have to supply the IU with a copy of the software you used to create the project if we do not have that software already available.
  • All entries must designate a faculty member or sponsor.
    • All communication will go through that person.
    • The faculty member or sponsor must accompany students to the regional and state competitions.
    • All entries must register online and be submitted by the faculty member.
  • There will be no entrance fee charged to either the school district or student to participate.

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.

Awards:

  • 1st Place in each category:
    • advances to the PA Middle School Computer Fair
    • award certificate for each project team member
  • 2nd place in each category receives an award certificate for each project team member
  • 3rd Place in each category receives an award certificate for each project team member
  • Honorable Mention in each category receives an award certificate for each project team member

Other Important Dates:

  • All registrations due for the regional fair by April 20, 2012.
  • PA Middle School Computer Fair - Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA May 23, 2012

Judging Criteria:

  • Preliminary judging: a minimum of two judges will view the project to determine a group of finalists.
  • Final judging: All judges will view each of the finalist’s projects and may require the students to answer questions.
  • All judging rubrics are posted on this website.
  • Judges' decisions are final.

For More Information

Tanya Dynda 
119 S. Mechanic Street
Smethport, PA  16749
814-887-5512 or via e-mail at tdynda@iu9.org