Team of 3–6; up to 3 present · Matching products, portfolio, and possible presentation
Mass Production
Your team develops a repeatable production process and uses it to make matching products.
What you make or do
- Manufacture at least three identical copies of the product, including the prototype. Submit one full-size prototype at the conference.
- Create a portfolio with product instructions, design work, drawings, materials and tools lists, a production plan, a work log, and photos showing the matching products and production process.
- Prepare to explain the product and production process in a presentation and interview if your team advances.
This year’s challenge
The 2027 product theme is an automata box. Your team must show that it can produce matching copies of its design.
How the competition works
Before the event
Design the product, test and improve the production process, make the matching copies, and document the work before the conference.
First round
Submit one prototype and the documentation portfolio. Judges score prototypes first, then evaluate the portfolios from the highest-scoring prototypes to select semifinalists.
If you advance
Up to three team representatives give a seven-minute presentation and answer questions for two minutes, with one minute for setup.
Know before you choose: You make at least three matching products, but only one prototype is submitted. The portfolio must include photographic proof of the copies and a photo timeline of the team's work.
How your work is scored
Judges evaluate the prototype's quality and function, the documentation of design and production, and the presentation and interview for teams that advance.
Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 213–219. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
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