Think Tank

​Think Tank:

Environmental Sustainability ~ Mission Zero Emission (Online)

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Think Tank

LEVEL: Middle School (MS) & High School (HS)

DIVISION(S): Grade 6 and 7/8 (MS) or Grade 9/10 and 11/12 (HS)

COMPOSITION OF TEAM: 2-3 students per team

NUMBER OF TEAMS:

Preliminary – Determined by your local MESA center

Regional – # of teams per division at the discretion of each region

(Northern/Central, LA Metro/UC Santa Barbara, and Southern)

Subject | Subject

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Overview

The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Imagine a world without harmful emissions and pollutants where all vehicles are Zero Emission. Students will research zero emission technology and create a design concept which conceptualizes this future. Knowledge of this technology and design concept shall be displayed in a Video Pitch Deck and Technology Presentation and Q&A.​​

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Participation logistics and limits may vary by host site. Advisors and students are responsible for verifying this information with their local MESA center. This competition will be online for 2022-2023.

Materials

● GIFT Mission Z: MESA Competition Course

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● Design Concept Video Pitch Deck

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● Mission Z Technology Presentation and Q&A

Multiple Choice

How many members can be on a team?

• 1-2

• 1-3

• 2-3

• 2-4

Open Ended

What type of vehicle is being designed?

General Rules

1) Students will explore how vehicle exhaust causes harmful pollution, research current zero emission technology, and create a design to conceptualize the future of zero emission vehicle technology, charging, or infrastructure. Design concepts may be a physical model, plan rendering by hand or utilizing CAD, sketch, storyboard, Minecraft world, or other medium of choice.

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2) Students will create a GIFT California account and complete the online Mission Z: MESA Competition Course. Students should consult with their MESA advisor before using school based email accounts to access the course. Use of Gmail, Yahoo!, or other free email hosting sites are encouraged. Mission Z Course: http://www.giftcalifornia.org/pages/mission-zero-mystery-mesa

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3) Students are encouraged to explore additional research on zero emission technology.

General Rules

Design Concept Video Pitch Deck

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4) Students will create a Video Pitch Deck to introduce their design concept. The Video Pitch Deck

should,

a. Be creative and engaging. This is a pitch, not a route presentation. Utilize graphics, editing, voice overs, music, sound effects, etc.

b. Include the offi cial MESA Logo.

c. Give a brief overview of the current problem and need for zero emission technology.

d. Pitch your design concept

i) Introduce and highlight key features of the design, including research.

ii) Explain how the design is innovative and uniquely suited to meet consumer need.

iii) Explore how the design will specifi cally benefi t your community.

iv) Explore how the design will benefi t the environment and society as a whole.

v) Include a “What’s next?” for your design. End with a call to action.

General Rules

Design Concept Video Pitch Deck

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5) Video Pitch Deck submission guidelines:

a. All members of the team should actively participate in the video.

b. The students’ full name, grade level, school name, and MESA center should be clearlyidentified and/or spoken at the beginning of the video. A 10% penalty will be assessed for failing to properly identify participants.

c. Video length may not exceed 5 minutes. Any portion exceeding 5 minutes will NOT be viewed or scored.

d. Please check with your local MESA center for the deadline and submission platform for local and regional events.

e. Videos unable to be opened and viewed will not be scored. Please ensure all submission guidelines indicated by the host MESA center are followed.

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6) Videos will be judged by a panel of 2-3 judges according to the scoring rubric (see Attachment).

General Rules

Mission Z Technology Presentation and Q&A

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7) In addition to the Video Pitch, students will participate in a live Presentation & Q&A. This presentation will allow a panel of judges to score students' knowledge of the need for zero emission technology and current research.

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8) The Presentation should include

a. The Problem

i) How does vehicle exhaust cause harmful pollution? How do these pollutants affect the environment and human body?

b. Technology

i) What are zero emission vehicles and how do they function? Identify current technologies and issues.

c. Opportunity

i) What changes are needed if we are to attain a world where all vehicles are zero emission? What effect would it have on the environment?

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General Rules

Mission Z Technology Presentation and Q&A

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9) The Q&A will evaluate students' understanding of the Mission Z curriculum. Students will be asked 3 questions derived from the Mission Z Course. Questions will be chosen at random from the list below.​

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a. Why were the electric vehicles "killed" or taken off the market in 1920? (Episode 1)

b. How can zero emission vehicles help support the planet? (Episode 1)

c. What is the main message Will Ferrell is trying to convey with his commercial? (Episode 2)

d. How does the electrical grid system work? (Episode 2)

e. What are the three types of electric vehicles? (Episode 2)

f. Name 3 of the 5 listed disadvantages of electric vehicles? (Episode 2)

g. Why are gas stations hard to repurpose? (Episode 3)

h. Name 3 major pollutants from conventional vehicles? (“Other Stuff”)

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General Rules

Mission Z Technology Presentation and Q&A

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10) The Presentation and Q&A will last a maximum of 5 minutes. Students will have 3 minutes to deliver their presentation and the Q&A will consist of the remaining 2 minutes.

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11) All members of the team should actively participate in the Presentation and Q&A.

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12) The Presentation and Q&A session will take place via Zoom or other video conferencing platform. Please check with your local MESA center for local and regional event logistics.

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13) Presentation and Q&A will be scored by a panel of 2-3 judges according to the scoring rubric (see Attachment).

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Multiple Choice

What is the name of the curriculum being used?

• Mission X

• Mission Y

• Mission Z

• Mission Emission

Multiple Choice

Is an engineering lab book required?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

How long does the presentation and q&a part last?

• 3 min

• 5 min

• 7 min

• 9 min

Scoring

1) Final Scores will be determined by the total Video Pitch Deck Score + Mission Z Technology Presentation and Q&A Score. (Total maximum score of 100)

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Awards

● Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place per division: Grade 6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.

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● Please check with your MESA center to determine the number of teams that advance to Regional MESA Day.

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Awards

● Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place per division: Grade 6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.

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● Please check with your MESA center to determine the number of teams that advance to Regional MESA Day.

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Poll

Are you interested in competing in Think Tank?

• Yes

• No