2024 SAME Undergraduate Innovation Design Challenge Submissions Are Open

Submissions for the 2024 SAME Undergraduate Innovation Design Challenge are due by Feb. 12, 2024. This competition, led by the College Outreach COI, evaluates design projects that are being developed by student members as part of their degree curriculums and highlights the innovative thinking of the next generation of STEM professionals.

The intent is to showcase existing work already underway to advance engineering and related subjects, and present it to SAME industry and government members. It is expected that projects submitted for consideration will be of the caliber used for senior design or capstone project.

Submissions in this competition will be evaluated on how well they convey the purpose of the project and its technical merit. Teams of three to five members will concisely communicate their design process and demonstrate that they have used sound analysis throughout, and do so in a way that is easily understandable to technical and non-technical audiences.

First place teams will receive $599 per member; second place teams will receive $499 per member; and third place teams will receive $399 per member.

Competition Details

Team Requirements

All team members must be undergraduate-level students AND student members of SAME. Student membership in SAME is free to all students at the undergraduate level. For more information about joining SAME as a student member, visit Student Membership – SAME.

Teams can have between three to five members. Expected submission topics will be based on capstone or design projects. All submissions must include the names of each of the team members, email addresses, year, and SAME membership number.

Submission Process

Phase 1 – Abstract Submission – 300 to 500 words

The abstract should summarize the key concepts, purpose, initial conclusions, and an overview of the science or engineering principles and results from your work. View the online submission. Abstracts will be evaluated and teams advancing to Phase 2 will receive notification.

Phase 2 – Video Presentation Submission

The presentation will consist of a five- to 10-minute video (MP4 format) with audio. It should discuss the progression of the design project from concept and design, to planning and analysis, and finally to the project build itself (or calculated results if the capstone project does not involve any physical construction). Additional details on areas to expand on are included in the Submission Rubric section. Detailed instructions will be provided to teams advancing to Phase 2.

Submission Rubric

Submissions will be graded on 10 categories, with up to 10 points for each for a total score out of 100 points.

Timeline

February 12: Phase 1 Abstracts due

February 26: Teams advancing to Phase 2 notified

March 15: Phase 2 Video Presentations submitted

March 29: Results announced

Awards

1^st Place: $599 per team member

2^nd Place: $499 per team member

3^rd Place: $399 per team member

Selection

The review committee will be composed of SAME industry and government members, and members of the College Outreach COI. Winning teams will be publicized in TME magazine and the SAME website.

Questions

If you have any questions about the competition or how to submit, please contact Jeannine Finton, SAME Senior Manager, at jfinton@same.org.