Competition Details


2023 Competition Overview

 

Get ready to dive into this year's theme: Race to Innovate. We at the University of Kansas are excited to see the amount of creativity you all bring to High School Design 2023 on October 25, and we look forward to seeing how you solve the challenges of the future!

Find the rules handbook and the competition descriptions below for more detailed information regarding High School Design. If you have further questions about High School Design or the competition details, please email highschooldesign@ku.edu.

 

For the day of the event see there parking information here! 


2023 KU High School Design Competition Summaries

Aerospace

What differentiates an everyday Toyota Prius from a F1 race car such as a Ferrari F2004? Besides the engine, cost, and usage, there is another factor that allows one of these cars to reach over 200 miles per hour with 865 horsepower, and the other to top out at about 110 miles per hour with 150 horsepower. The other factor is aerodynamics. While most people think of aerodynamics as exclusively a factor for airplanes, aerodynamics affects any object that travels through the air.   

This leads to our challenge for you. Your team will be applying your knowledge of aerodynamics to create a glider that can travel as far as possible. You and your team will have the opportunity to test your glider’s maximum aerodynamic performance capabilities by sliding your glider off a ramp positioned high in the air. Stay tuned for the test of a lifetime!

Biomedical

You are part of a team of biomedical engineers tasked with creating a low-cost dialysis machine that can filter simulated blood as accurately, quickly, and efficiently as possible. Your team will compete against other teams in a race to see who can filter the simulated blood quickly and efficiently while still maintaining accuracy and safety standards.The team that designs and builds the most efficient and effective dialysis machine will win the race and be awarded the grand prize. Are you up for the challenge?

Chemical

The day of the big race is almost here! With the design of the racecar nearly complete, there is still one key factor left to address: insulating the engine to protect the driver. Modern day F1 cars produce nearly 1000 horsepower, and with the car designed to be as light as possible, the amount of heat produced by that much energy can easily transfer to other parts of the car. Most notably, the cockpit where the driver sits. Before the design of the car can be put into production, it is the task of your team to design a way to insulate the engine and minimize the amount of heat transfer from the engine to the rest of the car and the driver while still remaining as light as possible. Prepare to present your insulation system solution to the senior design board as the racecar design and deadlines are approaching fast. We wish you luck as you embark on the race to insulate!

Civil

A new building needs to go up as quickly as possible. You and your team will need to prepare a design and build a structure that can withstand tremendous earthquakes and loads of different levels. On the build day, your team will be given a short time frame to construct your structure on site which will be tested through a shake table testing phase. Remember, this structure needs to be able to stay strong while supporting loads AND handling earthquakes! Time will be ticking as the earthquake nears...will your structure be able to withstand these dynamic stress conditions?

Computer Science

In this development challenge, you will take on the role of a software engineering firm. A client has come to your firm with a project they urgently need completed, however there is a tight deadline: HighSchool Design Day. Using a software stack of your choice, design a piece of software to help a student manage their busy schedule. Additionally, on the day of the challenge you will be given a certain time frame to

incorporate an additional “mystery feature” into your software. Join us, in a race against time to create the best product that fulfills the requirements before the deadline!

Mechanical

As a racecar engineer, you will be applying your knowledge on key principles of mechanical engineering such as forces, weight, air flow, kinetic and potential energy, and more to build a “dragster” that will be powered by a propeller. Winning the race will be determined by how far your dragster can go (distance from the start line until it stops) and straightness (how far the dragster goes off of the centerline once at rest). Will you be able to rise to the challenge?