What is INFOMATRIX?
Mission
Our mission is to empower and inspire the next generation of innovators by promoting creativity, teamwork, and technological excellence. Through the Infomatrix competition, we offer students the chance to demonstrate their programming and digital skills, participate in hands-on experiences like hackathons and robotics, and create projects that address real-world challenges. Our goal is to equip students with the tools and mindset essential for the future of technology and artificial intelligence.
Vission
Competition Overview
Beyond showcasing professional excellence, INFOMATRIX fosters intercultural dialogue and collaboration by engaging students and educators from diverse backgrounds.
- Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
- Competition Date: January 4, 2025
- Venue: Salahaldin International School - Cairo
- For all categories, a maximum of two students is permitted per project or robot.
- The age limit for all categories is set between 11 and 18 years.
- The entry fee per project is 2000 EGP.
- Participants must submit the competition registration fees to the school finance office by the deadline, or make the online payment through the website: Young Challengers
- Category 1: Lego Sumo/Grades 6-12
- Category 2: Mini Sumo/Grades 6-12
- Category 3: Line Follower/Grades 6-12
- Category 4: Maze/Grades 6-12
- Category 5: Hardware Control/Grades 6-12
- First Place (Top 5%): 2000 EGP per participant
- Second Place (6-10%): 1500 EGP per participant
- Third Place (11-15%): 1000 EGP per participant
- All winners will be qualified for the Infomatrix Romania World Finals
- All winners will be awarded a 50 Euro discount for the final registration fee
- All winners will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
- All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Competition Rules & Regulations
Language
All entries must be submitted in English.
Project Description
Each team must provide a project description which should include:
1) Descriptions
on/or sketches of your ideas (images),
2) Early stage plans and/or designs,
3)Iterations of your project during development,
4) Software/hardware specifications
Limitations
All entries must be submitted in English.
Teams
Each project can be represented by a team of a maximum of two students and a supervisor.
Cancellation
In case the judging members agree not to evaluate the entries due to the lack of quality and an insufficient number of applicants in any of the categories and contests, the organization committee holds the right to cancel that one.
Rejected Projects
Projects are void if they are in whole or part illegible, incomplete, damaged, altered, counterfeit, obtained through fraud, or late.
Project Categories
1- Lego Sumo
Objective:
Two robots, built solely from Lego Mindstorm materials (NXT, EV3, Spike, or 51515), try to push each other out of the arena using sensors, programming, and design.
Match Rules:
- Each round is 3 minutes.
- Robots can expand but cannot break into separate parts.
- No breaks allowed.
Matches Structure:
- Round 1: Start in the middle, back-to-back, move to the edge, turn, and battle.
- Round 2: Start in the middle, corner-to-corner, move to the edge, turn, and battle.
- Round 3: Start at the edge, facing each other, and begin the battle immediately.
Dimensions:
Max size 20 cm per side; max weight 2 kg.
Arena:
77 cm diameter circle with a 2.5 cm white border.
Controller:
Only one working controller allowed, must be autonomous.
Motors & Sensors:
No limit on usage. Communication: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be disabled.
Start Protocol:
Robots undergo a 5-second countdown before starting.
2- Mini Sumo
Objective:
Custom-built robots aim to push each other out of a ring, using sensors, programming, and innovative design.
Match Rules:
- Each round is 3 minutes.
- Robots must stay in a single, centralized piece and cannot break apart.
Dimensions:
Max size 10 cm per side; max weight 500 g.
Arena:
77 cm diameter circle with a 2.5 cm white border.
Autonomy:
Robots must be fully autonomous with no external control.
Restrictions:
- No devices to harm or destroy other robots.
- No devices to increase downforce (e.g., vacuum pumps or magnets).
Start Protocol:
Robots undergo a 5-second countdown before starting.
3- Line Follower Robot
Objective:
Robots must detect and follow a black line on a white surface as fast as possible.
Match Rules:
- Robots must remain autonomous and cannot be controlled wirelessly.
- Robots are allowed three rounds, with the best outcome considered.
- If the robot deviates from the track, it must return within 20 cm of the deviation point.
- Participants cannot touch the robot during operation.
Dimensions:
Max size 25 cm x 30 cm, no weight limit.
Track:
- The line is 2 cm wide (±5% tolerance).
- The track surface can be banner, trovicel, or wood.
Autonomy:
Junior Variation:
Same rules but allows adjustment up to three times if the robot veers off track.
Start Protocol:
Robots undergo a 5-second countdown before starting.
4- Maze Robot
Objective:
Rules:
- Each robot has three attempts, with the best outcome recorded.
- Robots operate independently, with no external control allowed during the contest.
Maze Structure:
5- Hardware Control
Objective:
Participants in this category are challenged to design and build a hardware-controlled system that showcases ingenuity and functionality. Whether it’s a robotic device, smart home automation, or a unique gadget, let your engineering skills shine. Emphasise the seamless integration of hardware components and their effective control mechanisms. Exclusive to secondary school and high school students passionate about hardware engineering and control systems.
Evaluation Rubrics
Project Contest / Hardware Control
1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | |
01. Originality / Creativity | The project lacks originality and creativity, resembling common solutions. | Limited creativity with minimal innovative elements. | Some creative features, but the overall project lacks uniqueness. | Demonstrates creativity with a few original elements. | Exceptional originality and creativity are evident throughout the project. |
02. Difficulty / Complexity | The project is overly simplistic and lacks complexity. | Limited complexity; the project needs more advanced elements. | The project demonstrates an acceptable level of difficulty and complexity. | Good complexity with a balance between simplicity and sophistication. | Exceptionally challenging and complex; goes beyond standard expectations. |
03. Usability (Interface) | The user interface is confusing or non-existent, hindering usability. | Limited usability; the interface needs improvement. | Acceptable usability, but some aspects could be more user-friendly. | Well-designed interface with good user interaction principles. | Exceptional usability, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience. |
04. Functionality | The project lacks essential functionality and has numerous issues. | Limited functionality with significant bugs or errors. | Basic functionality is present, but there are noticeable issues. | Good functionality with minor bugs that do not hinder performance. | The project demonstrates flawless functionality with no observable issues. |
05. Technical Skills | Little evidence of technical skills; the project seems beyond the student's abilities. | Basic technical skills demonstrated; significant room for improvement. | Competent technical skills; meets the expected standard. | Strong technical skills displayed with advanced techniques. | Exceptional technical skills; the student demonstrates mastery of hardware control concepts. |
06. Oral Presentation | Incoherent presentation; lacks structure and clarity. | Presentation is somewhat disorganized and difficult to follow. | Adequate presentation with clear communication but may lack enthusiasm. | Engaging and well-structured presentation; effectively conveys key points. | Exceptional oral presentation with enthusiasm, clarity, and strong engagement. |
07. Documentation | Little to no documentation provided; lacks necessary details. | Minimal documentation; insufficient details to understand the project. | Adequate documentation with some room for improvement. | Comprehensive documentation that effectively explains the project. | Exceptional documentation, providing thorough and clear insights into the project. |
08. The Stand Design | The stand lacks visual appeal and fails to showcase the project effectively. | Limited effort in stand design; does not attract attention. | Adequate stand design with some elements that showcase the project. | Well-designed stand that effectively highlights the project's key features. | Exceptional stand design, visually appealing, and enhances the overall presentation. |
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