WEBSITE DESIGN OVERVIEW Participants are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site that features the team s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site conference interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website with an emphasis on Internet and web history, web design of the design brief pages, and research about cutting edge advances in technology. CHALLENGE Participants design, build, and launch a website that features the team s research about a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) topic. ELIGIBILITY Participants are limited to one (1) team of three (3) to five (5) members per chapter. One (1) entry per team is permitted. Up to five (5) members of a team participate in the semifinalist interview. TIME LIMITS A. All components of the chapter s entry must be finished and accessible via the Internet by midnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 15th Note: After midnight May 15th, no changes should be made to the website. The evaluation of each entry begins at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 16th. If a team makes changes to the website after the evaluators begin judging the entry, those changes are not considered. Changes made after midnight May 15th may result in a loss of points or disqualification. Instructions for Website Design entry submission will be noted on the TSA website under Competitions/Themes and Problems in mid-august. R entries must be posted online by May 15th. Students should follow submission instructions noted on the TSA website under Competitions/Themes and Problems. B. Email verification of each team s entry is made by June 15th. Five (5) days prior to the national TSA conference, the link to entries will become available. C. Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site conference interview that lasts approximately five (5) minutes. 329
RBe sure to work on the correct design brief high school and middle school criteria are different. ATTIRE TSA competition attire, as described in the Competitive Events Attire section of this guide, is required. PROCEDURE A. Participants obtain the event design brief from the national TSA website at www.tsaweb.org. (Criteria for the middle school and high school events are different.) B. All questions pertaining to should be emailed to the event coordinator, or the event manager. C. Participants design and submit a website that features the chapter s research findings on the topic posed in the event design brief. D. Evaluators review and score the entries prior to the national TSA conference. E. A pre-conference semifinalist list of twelve (12) entries in random order is posted at the conference on the first full day of competition. F. Pre-conference semifinalist teams must sign up for an interview. The specific place and time for interview scheduling is posted on the semifinalist list. Up to all five (5) members of the semifinalist team must report back to the event area at the appropriate time. G. Each team is interviewed by the evaluators for approximately five (5) minutes. It is essential that students and advisors routinely check the TSA website (www.tsaweb.org) for updated information about TSA competitive events. This information is found on the website under Competitions/Updates and Clarification. When students participate in any TSA competitive event, they are responsible for knowing of updates, changes, or clarification related to that event. REGULATIONS A. Participants must launch their entry on a web server that can be accessed via the Internet 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, 52 weeks per year. B. Each entry must consist of web pages that specifically display the chapter s research findings on the topic posed in the event design brief. 330
C. Design brief pages 1. The solution to the design brief is developed as a series of web pages with a minimum of three (3) pages and no maximum of pages linked under the main design brief solution web page. One (1) of the pages must list all sources of information used to create the website. 2. The solution should contain links to relevant and appropriate websites that contribute to the team s design brief research findings. A maximum of five (5) links to websites that contribute to the team s design brief research findings may be included. D. All web pages must be completed during the current school year. E. If copyrighted material, such as text, images, or sound from other sources is used, proper written permission must be included/ documented. F. All entries are viewed with the latest version of Internet Explorer. G. Each team selects up to five (5) members to represent the chapter in the on-site interview. H. In addition to basic HTML code, the website may contain Java applets, DHTML, Shockwave, Flash, and other state-of-the-art web-based applications. EVALUATION A. Evaluation of the team entry includes overall design and originality, and the scope and sequence of the design brief solution. Also evaluated are the website s compatibility with different browsers, screen resolutions, and the appropriate use of new Internet and web-based applications. B. The interview evaluates the team s knowledge and expertise pertaining to the entry in the following areas: overall website design and originality; the scope and sequence of the design brief solution; website compatibility with different browsers; monitor resolution; plug-ins; and the use of new Internet and web-based applications. 331
STEM INTEGRATION This event has connections to the STEM areas noted below. Please refer to the STEM INTEGRATION section of this guide. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics LEADERSHIP SKILLS Leadership skills promoted in this event: Communication: Students effectively communicate information to an audience. Use leadership lessons: Mirror Mirror and Take Action Critical thinking: Students work to gather information related to the challenge and present it in an effective manner. Use leadership lessons: Fact or Fiction and Rebus Puzzles Teamwork: Students work as a team to plan and develop an appropriate website. Use leadership lessons: Find Someone Who... and Jump Rope Additional leadership skills promoted in this event: Creative thinking Evaluation Organization TSA AND CAREERS This competition has connections to one or more of the career areas featured in the TSA AND CAREERS section of this guide. Use The 16 Career Clusters chart and the TSA Competitions and Career Clusters grid as resources for information about careers. CAREERS RELATED TO THIS EVENT Computer engineer Computer programmer Researcher Software designer Webmaster 332
WEBSITE DESIGN EVENT COORDINATOR INSTRUCTIONS PERSONNEL A. Event coordinator, one (1) B. Evaluators, two (2) or more MATERIALS A. Coordinator s notebook, containing: 1. Event guidelines, one (1) copy each for the coordinator and evaluators 2. Official rating forms Pre-conference evaluations should be brought to the conference by the event coordinator. Only the scores of those who qualify as semifinalists are needed for conference on-site evaluation. 3. List of entries with finalist report 4. List of evaluators/assistants 5. Semifinalist list for posting 6. Pens for evaluators 7. Results envelope REvaluation of entries takes place before the conference so that evaluators can post the pre-conference semifinalist list on the first full day of the national TSA conference and have plenty of time for the on-site interviews. B. Evaluation of entries takes place before the conference so that evaluators can post the pre-conference semifinalist list on the first full day of the national TSA conference and have plenty of time for the on-site interviews. C. The latest version of Internet Explorer D. List of questions for on-site interview E. Laptop computer with high speed Internet capability F. High speed Internet access for evaluators use in the interview room RESPONSIBILITIES A. Review entries as they are submitted to the designated online storage utility. Entry is allowed only until midnight May 15th Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Send email verification to all entrants by June 15th. 333
B. At least five (5) days prior to the national TSA conference, make accessible the online storage utility link with entries. C. Manage communication and pre-conference evaluation (at least two [2] or more evaluators should be recruited earlier in the year). Collect completed and signed rating forms electronically and bring them to the conference. D. Upon arrival at the conference, report to the CRC room and check the contents of the coordinator s notebook. Review the event guidelines and check to see that enough evaluators/ assistants have been scheduled. Inspect the area or room in which the event is to be held for appropriate set-up, including room size, chairs, tables, outlets, etc. Notify the event manager of any potential problems. E. On the first full day of competition, post a list of the twelve (12) pre-conference semifinalists in random order. F. Review the time limits, procedures, and regulations with the evaluators. Clear up any questions or misunderstandings. Distribute the guidelines for the interview. G. For participants who violate the rules, the decision either to 1) deduct twenty percent (20%) of the total possible points or 2) disqualify the entry, must be discussed and verified with the evaluators, event coordinator, and CRC manager, who all must initial either of these actions on the rating form. H. Semifinalist teams report to the event area and sign up for an interview time. Manage completion of the on-site interviews. I. Evaluators turn in their signed rating forms and complete the finalist report. Evaluators discuss and break any ties that affect the top three (3) placements. NOTE: Determine the procedure for breaking ties before the on-site competition begins. J. Submit the finalist report, including a ranking of the ten (10) finalists, and all related forms in the results envelope to the CRC room. K. The design brief will be posted in mid-august on the TSA website under Competitions/Updates and Clarification. 334
Participant/Team ID# WEBSITE DESIGN 2014 & 2015 OFFICIAL RATING FORM MIDDLE SCHOOL CRITERIA Website Development (100 points) Minimal performance Adequate performance Exemplary performance 1-4 points 5-8 points 9-10 points Evaluators: Using minimal (1-4 points), adequate (5-8 points) or exemplary (9-10 points) performance levels as a guideline, record the scores earned for the event criteria in the column spaces to the far right. The X1 or X2 notation in the criteria column is a multiplier factor for determining the points earned. (Example: an adequate score of 7 for an X1 criterion = 7 points; an adequate score of 7 for an X2 criterion = 14 points.) Content Layout Graphics Navigation Color scheme Interest Spelling and grammar Design research brief Several inaccuracies occur in the content provided by students, and/ or many requirements have not been met; not enough content is included, or content is very incomplete. Web pages are cluttered looking or confusing; it is often difficult to locate important elements. Graphics seem randomly chosen and are of low quality, and/or they distract the reader; many images are broken. Some links do not take the reader to the sites described; a user typically feels lost. Colors, fonts, and unvisited and visited links make the content hard to read or otherwise distract the reader. Participants have provided only the minimum amount of information and have not transformed the information to make it more interesting to the audience. There are many spelling and/or grammatical errors in the entire site. Website is lacking an adequate research base, and/or very few credible sources are referenced. Almost all information provided on the website by students is accurate, and most requirements of the assignment have been met, and/or all information is accurate and generally complete. Web pages have an attractive and usable layout; it is easy to locate all important elements. Graphics are related to the theme/ purpose of the site, are of good quality, and enhance reader interest or understanding; there are few or no broken images. Links for navigation are adequately labeled; they allow the reader to easily move from one page to related pages (forward and back), and the internal links take the reader where s/he expects to go; a user rarely becomes lost. Colors, fonts, and unvisited and visited links do not detract from the content and are consistent across pages. Participants have tried to make the content of the website interesting to the people for whom it is intended. There are a few spelling and/or grammatical errors in the entire site. Research has been conducted appropriately, with mostly credible sources. All information provided by students on the website is accurate and all the requirements of the assignment have been met; i.e., there is sufficient content in the website to learn about the topic and complete a research assignment. Website has an exceptionally attractive and usable layout. It is easy to locate all important elements; white space, graphic elements and/or alignment are used effectively to organize material. Graphics are related to the theme/purpose of the site, are thoughtfully cropped, are of high quality, and they enhance reader interest or understanding; there are no broken images. Links for navigation are clearly labeled, consistently placed and allow the reader to easily move from one page to related pages (forward and back); internal links take the reader where s/he expects to go; a user does not become lost. Colors, fonts, and unvisited and visited links form a pleasing palette, complement the content, and are consistent across pages Participants have made an exceptional attempt to ensure that the content of the website is interesting to the people for whom it is intended. There are either no, or very minor, spelling or grammatical errors in the entire site. A comprehensive research base that includes credible sources is evident. Record scores in the column spaces below. 335
CRITERIA Solution to design brief (X2) WEBSITE DESIGN (continued) Website Development (100 points) Minimal performance Adequate performance Exemplary performance 1-4 points 5-8 points 9-10 points Website is missing three (3) or more criteria and/or constraints of the design brief. Website is missing one (1) or two (2) criteria and/or constraints of the design brief. Website is missing no components of the design brief. SUBTOTAL (100 points) Rules violations (a deduction of 20% of the total possible points) must be initialed by the evaluator, coordinator and manager of the event. Record the deduction in the space to the far right. Indicate the rule violated: Semifinalist Interview (50 points) Articulation Knowledge (X2) Delivery CRITERIA Team participation Minimal performance Adequate performance Exemplary performance 1-4 points 5-8 points 9-10 points Participants are verbose and illogical in their interview responses, with the use of many "uhs, ums, hmms," etc. Participants seem to have very little understanding of the concepts in their project; interview answers are vague. Delivery detracts from the message; eye contact may be very limited; presenter may tend to look at the floor, mumble, speak inaudibly, fidget, or read a script; gestures and movements may be jerky or excessive. Only one (1) participant from the team communicates with evaluators. Participants are logical and well-spoken in their interview responses, with few "uhs, ums, hmms," etc. Team members have a generalized understanding of the concepts discussed and answer questions well. Delivery generally seems effective, with mostly consistent, volume, eye contact, vocal control; some hesitancy may be observed, however; vocal tone, facial expressions, and/or other nonverbal expressions do not detract from the message. Participants appear to be involved equally, and generally understand the concepts. Participants are well spoken, distinct, and clear in their interview responses with no, or very few, "uhs, ums, hmms," etc. Participants have a thorough understanding of the concepts discussed, and they are fully aware of the issues and the future. Delivery is extemporaneous, natural and enhances the message; posture, eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, volume, pace, etc., indicate confidence, a commitment to the topic, and a willingness to communicate. Participants fully understand the concepts of the event and are involved equally in the interview. SUBTOTAL (50 points) Rules violations (a deduction of 20% of the total possible points) must be initialed by the evaluator, coordinator and manager of the event. Record the deduction in the space to the far right. Indicate the rule violated: (To arrive at TOTAL score, add any subtotals and subtract rules violation points, as necessary. Check your math twice!) TOTAL (150 points) Comments: Evaluator I certify these results to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Printed name: Signature: 336