Student Technical Solutions Competition

The number of participants allowed to compete in each competition area must be predetermined due to the limits of our facilities. If fewer than three different sponsors have entered an individual or team in a particular category by the deadline of day of the event, that category may be deleted and the sponsoring schools notified.

In case of an emergency, substitutions for contestants may be made by phone or at Delta on the day of the competition. 

Problem topics

Identical problems will be given to all contestants in each competition category.

Award decisions

Judges decisions will be final.

Safety equipment

Students must provide their own safety equipment.

Competition rooms

Only student contestants, judges and directors will be allowed in the competition area (room) during the actual competition.

Eligibility

Any student within Delta College's area of influence, enrolled in grades 9-12 at a Michigan public, private, or parochial school is eligible if they have not reached their 21st birthday at the time of submitting their registration.

Each student must presently be enrolled in a course in which the subject matter and level match that of the category in which they wish to compete.

For further requirements, see “Specific rules and information” for each subject area and category in which your students will participate.

Sponsor definition and eligibility

A school is eligible to be a "sponsor" if the course(s) is taught at that school.

For example: If "Beginning Drafting" is taught at the student's home school, the home school may be a "sponsor," and the instructor is responsible for registrations. If, however, home schools A, B and C send their students to a center, e.g., a  career center or to a school where facilities are available to teach a course such as "Welding", then that center/school is the "sponsor," and the instructor at that center/school is responsible for filling out the registration forms.

A sponsoring school may have one or more individuals or teams represented in each competition category, subject to the competition space limits.

Software programs include SolidWorks, Inventor and OnShape. Students can bring their own laptops to use other CAD software such as Fusion 360.

Students will be given a series of physical blocks that will be reverse engineered and modeled. Students will apply a custom material when supplied with a density. They will then report the weight of the part. Students will need to supply their own calipers.

Capacity

We have a max capacity of 40 students for Solid Modeling, registration limits per school will depend on how many schools attend. 

Questions?

If you would like more information on the these competitions, contact: 

Steve Gormley
AutoCAD, Parametric Solid Modeling
stevengormley@delta.edu 
989-686-9044 

There are four Machine Tools Competition categories.

• Machine Tools Competition - Machine Tools (Lathe I)
• Machine Tools Competition - Machine Tools (Lathe II)
• Machine Tools Competition - Machine Tools (Mill I)
• Machine Tools Competition - Machine Tools (Mill II)

General information

1. Contestants in these four categories will be required to perform certain machine tool operations.
2. Will furnish the following items:
   1. Safety glasses
   2. 6" ruler
   3. Pencil
   4. Safety shoes and appropriate clothing
3. SPECIFIC INFORMATION
   Machine Tools (Lathe I) – Open to all first-year high school students.
   Machine Tools (Lathe II) – Open to all second-year high school students.
   Machine Tools (Mill I) – Open to all first-year high school students.
   Machine Tools (Mill II) – Open to all second-year high school students.
4. Schools can register up to two students for each category with one alternate student. 
   1. Alternate students will compete depending on category registration.
   2. Registration for the category will close when capacity is reached. 

Questions?

If you would like more information on the CNC or Machine Tools competitions, contact: 

Terry Morse
Machine Tools
businessandtechnology@delta.edu
989-686-9258

The Residential Construction competition is for two-student teams. The preference is 11th and 12th grade students, two teams per sponsoring school. 

Competition topic:
Wood frame construction

Students who compete in this level must currently be enrolled in a building trades program. The students will be given the materials with which they will be required to construct a structure or part of a structure. The judging will be based on a short 15-minute test on general knowledge, use of materials, craftsmanship and accuracy. A time limit of two hours will be observed and completion will be on a two-student team basis.

Total score of both team members will be added together for judging.

Bring appropriate clothing as the competition may be held outside, weather permitting. 

Suggested tool list

1. Two sawhorses
2. Hammer
3. Framing square
4. Wrecking bar
5. Head and eye protection
6. Cross-cut saw
7. Pencils
8. Tape measure
9. Other miscellaneous tools as desired—no power tools can be used

Judging criteria

1. Test 40%
2. Completion 10%
3. Craftsmanship 50%
4. Square of cuts
5. Measurements accuracy
6. Use of rafter squares
7. Nailing techniques

Questions?

If you would like more information on the Residential Construction competition, contact: 

AJ Neumann
Construction and Architectural Technology
andrewneumann@delta.edu
989-686-9021

Arc Welding I

The Beginning Welding competition is for full-time high school students who are in their first year of welding instruction. Students will demonstrate their skill at making two fillet welds in the 2-F position: one with 3/32-inch E7018 electrodes and the other with 1/8-inch E6010 electrodes. Both welds will be on 1/4-inch thick hot rolled, low carbon steel plate. 

Arc Welding II

The Advanced Welding competition is for full-time high school students who have completed one or more years of welding instruction and are currently enrolled in a high school welding class. Students will demonstrate their skill at making one butt weld in the 3G position using 3/32-inch E7018 electrodes on 3/8-inch hot rolled low carbon steel. Plate will be prepared for 45° included angle grooved but joint with a 1/4-inch root opening and a backing bar. 

Judging criteria 

Weld quality will be ranked by visual examination. 

Equipment

Electrodes, weld coupon metal, and welding machines will be assigned to each participant. Other welding gear is to be furnished by the participants. For example, students are to provide their own hood, gloves, apron, sleeves, spats, etc. Students WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to weld with low shoes, rubber or plastic shoes, trousers with cuffs, or other personal gear which is UNSAFE. 

General information

The welding competition will be held on Delta’s campus. Sponsoring school teachers, counselors and/or others who attend with their students are welcome to visit the Delta Welding Center during the competition but will be restricted from entering the welding booth area during the testing period. 

We have capacity limits for Arc Welding I and Arc Welding II. Registration limits may be implemented depending on the number of schools participating.  

Questions?

If you would like more information on the Welding competitions, contact: 

Jim Proctor
Welding Technology
jamesproctor@delta.edu
989-686-9599 

If you are familiar with how the AWS-CWI certification exam works, this is somewhat along those same guidelines. The test will be completed in a classroom. There is no hands-on work to be completed. This is a stand-alone category. Students cannot complete in ARC Welding I or ARC Welding II and this category. The student will have to choose one competition category to compete in.

The test will have 3 parts:

Part A: Fundamental knowledge consists of 40-50 multiple choice questions. These questions are comprehensive and can be on any of the major welding process, fabrication, electrical characteristics, welding inspection, welding positions, safety, etc.

Part B: Blueprint consists of 20-30 multiple choice questions. The student will be supplied a blueprint and asked corresponding questions about: dimensions, line types, welding symbols, title block, general/specific notes, views, etc. 

Part C: Practical consists of 20-30 multiple choice questions. The student will answer questions on weld anatomy (e.g., fillet weld throats, leg, toe, weld interface, fusion, bevel face, etc.), weld discontinuities, joint types, etc. This section will have the student answer questions regarding a picture or diagram. 

Judging Criteria

In the event of a tie, the student who completed the test in the least amount time will win. Welding faculty will administer the test and ensure fairness while scoring answers the day of the competition.

Questions?

If you would like more information on the Welding competitions, contact: 

Keith Proctor
Welding Technology
keithproctor@delta.edu 
989-686-9065

Purpose

To better acquaint high school agricultural education members with the Michigan Ag Industry and assist them in learning key information about the industry.

Eligibility

9–12 grade high school students.

A minimum of three to a maximum of five students can make up a team in the quiz bowl competition. Limited to three teams per school with a maximum of 32 teams for the category.

Rules

1. No written materials or notes taken by any audience member or team member can be removed from the contest room at the conclusion of the quiz bowl competition. No videotaping will be allowed during the quiz bowl competition.
2. Brackets will need to be set up by the contest chair. This will be done by random draw prior to the context.
3. If teams are not present in the holding room by 8:30am on the day of the contest, they will be disqualified.
4. NEW RULES FOR 2024
   1. Number of questions asked during the preliminary rounds and final round
   2. Winner's bracket and loser's bracket
   3. Overtime competition

Procedures

The rules for the contest will be split between the preliminary rounds and the final competition.

Preliminary rounds

During this portion of the contest, the students are not allowed to confer with one another. Each student is asked questions in an alternating fashion. Each team will be asked ten (10) questions in total, regardless of the number of members on the team. Once the question is flashed on the screen the member has twenty (20) seconds to answer. Questions are worth one point each. Stealing questions is not permitted. In the event of a tie, a question will flash on the screen and each team has twenty (20) seconds to write the answer on a piece of paper. This will continue until only one team answers correctly. Teams may work together while breaking the tie. The questions in this round will be multiple choice or true/false. Questions will be drawn randomly immediately before they are flashed on the screen. Due to the limited number of questions that are appropriate for high school students, it is possible that some questions are repeated. A question that is repeated will be treated no differently the second time it is read.

There will be two brackets, the winner's bracket and the loser's bracket. At the start of the quiz bowl, all teams start in the winner's bracket. Any team that loses once be sent to the loser's bracket. From there, every team who has lost one game will fight each other. If they lose one more time in the loser's bracket, they're out for good. The winner of the winner's bracket and the winner of the loser's bracket will move on to the final round.

Final competition

During this portion of the contest, the students are allowed to confer with one another. Each team will be asked fifteen (15) questions. Once the question is flashed on the screen the team has thirty (30) seconds to confer and answer the question.

The questions in this round will be multiple choice or true/false. During this round stealing questions is permissible. If one team answers incorrectly, the other team may answer within thirty (30) seconds, starting when the moderator declares the first answer incorrect. Questions may not be stolen a second time. After the second team answers the question, they will be in line for the next question as if no stealing occurred. 

Overtime competition

If the winner of the main bracket lost in the final round, we will have an overtime competition. During this portion of the contest the students are allowed to confer with one another. Each team will be asked five (5) questions. Once the question is flashed on the screen the team has fifteen (15) seconds to confer and answer the question. These questions will be "fill in the blank" and will be randomly drawn immediately before they are asked. During the round stealing questions is permissible. If one team answers incorrectly, the other team may answer with fifteen (15) seconds, starting when the moderator declares the first answer incorrect. Questions may not be stolen a second time. After the second team answers the question, they will be in line for the next question as if no stealing occurred.

Contest questions

Questions will cover the entire scope of the Michigan Ag Industry including history, dates, people, programs, activities and current events of the industry. 

Ag Industry questions come from the Michigan Farm Bureau Facts & Figures book.

Questions?

If you would like more information on the Agricultural Technology Quiz Bowl, contact:

Lance Fowler
lancefowler@delta.edu
989-686-9350 

Two students will work together as a team for one score in the automotive competition.

Competition topic

Automotive Service Technology - Maintenance Light Repair Technician

General information

• Competition will start promptly.
• Instructions for the competition will be in the automotive classroom.
• Instructors may accompany their students to the competition check-in. The contestants will be given a walk through before the competition begins.
• Students will be asked to use OEM service information or AllData at most of the stations.
• Most stations will use General Motors vehicles.
• During written test portion of the competition:
  • As a general rule, the first questions on the tests are easier and questions get progressively harder as you progress down the page.
  • Harder questions are typically worth more points.
  • Total points on any one given test cannot exceed 100.

Tools and equipment

• Two #2 lead pencils. A written test will be given in each area to be used as a tie breaker.
• Dress appropriately. Due to the professional nature of this contest, contestants are required to wear apparel appropriate to the trade including: safety glasses with side shields or goggles; appropriate one or two-piece work clothes; leather work shoes (no athletic shoes or clothing allowed, long hair must be tied back).
• Any contestant not appropriately dressed will receive a 20% demerit from their final score.

This competition is designed to test the basic skills and knowledge of automotive students.

Questions?

If you would like more  information on the Automotive Service Technology competition category, contact:

Jay Minard
Automotive Service Technology
wallaceminard@delta.edu 

Jim Miller
Automotive Service Technology
jamesmiller@delta.edu