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TEKOI: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
TEKOI, or the Test of Engineering Knowledge and Ingenuity, is an annual competition that challenges high school students to design, build, and test a prototype of a solution to a real-world problem. The competition is held at the University of Texas at Austin, and it attracts teams from all over the world.
The TEKOI competition is a great opportunity for students to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and engineering knowledge. It is also a great way for students to learn about the engineering design process and to get hands-on experience with engineering tools and materials.
In this blog post, we will take a behind-the-scenes look at the TEKOI competition. We will learn about the history of the competition, the challenges that students face, and the judging process. We will also hear from some of the students who have participated in the competition.
The History of TEKOI
The TEKOI competition was founded in 1998 by Dr. James A. Landrum, a professor of engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Landrum wanted to create a competition that would challenge high school students to apply their engineering knowledge to real-world problems.
The first TEKOI competition was held in 1999, and it has been held every year since then. The competition has grown in popularity over the years, and it now attracts teams from all over the world.
The Challenges of TEKOI
The TEKOI competition is a challenging competition. Students are given a real-world problem to solve, and they have a limited amount of time to design, build, and test their prototype.
The challenges that students face in the TEKOI competition include:
- The time limit: Students have only a few weeks to design, build, and test their prototype.
- The complexity of the problem: The problems that students are given to solve are often complex and require a high level of engineering knowledge.
- The competition: The TEKOI competition is a competitive competition, and students are competing against teams from all over the world.
The Judging Process
The TEKOI competition is judged by a panel of experts from the fields of engineering, science, and education. The judges evaluate the students' prototypes based on the following criteria:
- Creativity: The judges look for prototypes that are creative and innovative.
- Problem-solving skills: The judges look for prototypes that effectively solve the given problem.
- Engineering knowledge: The judges look for prototypes that demonstrate a high level of engineering knowledge.
- Presentation: The judges look for prototypes that are well-presented and easy to understand.
The Winners
The winners of the TEKOI competition are awarded cash prizes and scholarships. They are also given the opportunity to present their prototypes at the TEKOI conference, which is held each year at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Impact of TEKOI
The TEKOI competition has a positive impact on the students who participate in it. The competition helps students to develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and engineering knowledge. It also helps students to learn about the engineering design process and to get hands-on experience with engineering tools and materials.
The TEKOI competition is a valuable experience for high school students who are interested in engineering. The competition provides students with the opportunity to challenge themselves, to learn new skills, and to make a difference in the world.
Conclusion
The TEKOI competition is a challenging and rewarding competition that provides high school students with the opportunity to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and engineering knowledge. The competition has a positive impact on the students who participate in it, and it helps them to develop the skills that they need to succeed in the engineering field.