Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2016 FLASTEM Technology Challenge?
FLASTEM is a student-led community outreach program based at the Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School. In the 2015-2016 school year, members of FLASTEM have visited numerous elementary and middle schools across Pinellas County to educate and excite students about the importance of computer science and robotics. The 2016 FLASTEM Technology Challenge marks the culmination of the first year of FLASTEM, as well as an opportunity for students across the Tampa Bay area to show off their skills in technology and make an impact by developing a project beneficial to their community.
Is there a fee to register and enter in the competition?
Nope! This competition is free to all students who want to participate. Just grab a parent or guardian and head to the registration form.
Who can participate?
All students in 4th through 8th-grades during 2015-2016 school year, including public, private, and home school students who live in the Tampa Bay area (Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pasco counties) are eligible to participate. You can register individually or as a team of two students.
When is the deadline to register?
Registration has already begun and is underway currently! Earlier deadline of June 30th, has been extended until July 25th, 2016.
When is the submission deadline?
All projects and accompanying files must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM EST on August 11th, 2016.
What do you have to submit?
- There are four components that must be submitted.
- Project Idea: This is a short (200 words or LESS*) summary of your project, the identified problem within the community, the technology involved in your project, and how your solution will impact the community.
- Technical Research: Elaborate (400 words or LESS*) on the technology used and the impact of it in your project. This will change depending on the type of project you submit. If you’re building a prototype of a device, show the technology behind it and provide illustrations/pictures for your solution and how it works. Use graphs, flowcharts, algorithms, and samples of code (for coding projects) to explain your proposed solution and how computer science, robotics, or technology are used in the proposed solution.
- Supporting Data: Provide any additional details (400 words or LESS*) that are relevant towards your project. This can be more data about the problem identified in your community, any historical information related to your problem/project, etc.
- Video Journal: This is your chance to show the judges how your project works. In a short (2-3 minutes*) video, provide an overall summary of your project and show your project in action. You may also include a time-lapse of your project, showing the progress from the beginning to the end.
- *The judges will be looking for quality over quantity. You don’t need to include 200 or 400 words if you can accurately and creatively explain your project in fewer words.
- You can view the rubric here.
What are the 2016 Themes and examples of projects can be submitted?
This challenge isn’t a homework assignment where there is a set topic and you have to work off of that. Instead, we have provided you with three general themes and leave you to incorporate those themes into your project anyway you see fit. Your project doesn’t have to directly tie in with the theme, as long as it incorporates aspect of the theme. The 2016 Themes are Health & Fitness, Environment, and Education & Learning. Based off these themes, you could build a fitness app, a program that helps teachers, or a pollution tracking device. The importance of your project doesn’t depend on which specific theme you choose; it depends on how innovative your solution is regarding the theme.
How do I submit my project?
Once you’re done with all the components of your project, visit the Submission Form and fill out the information. You will receive an email once your project has been submitted!
What are the prizes?
- All participants will receive an official certificate to recognize their participation in the competition. Two projects from each grade level will be selected as finalists. Individual awards will be given to unique entries in each grade level.
- Top 10 Finalists will each receive a $100 gift card, a plaque to commemorate their achievement, a FLASTEM shirt, and recognition on our website and social media.
- There will be other special awards for unique and creative solution ideas.
When is the awards ceremony?
The 2016 FLASTEM Technology Challenge Awards Ceremony will take place in Early September (Date still TBD). The ultimate celebration will bring guest speakers from Tampa Bay Technology companies and startups and provide networking opportunities for the award winners. Lakewood High STEM students will showcase their robotics and programming projects to the audience.
what kind of workshops/additional help will be offered to interested students?
- The FLASTEM team will be at various STEM workshops across the county during the summer. Our first workshop is on Friday, June 17th at SPC Seminole Library Innovation Lab, which is located on the second floor of Seminole library. We will be there from 1-2 PM, so feel free to stop by for any questions or getting started with the challenge.
- Additional workshops are also planned and will be updated on our website!
How can I find out more information?