Team of 2 · Twenty-four-hour design portfolio challenge
Technical Design
Your team develops and documents an engineering design in response to a new problem.
What you make or do
- Create a portfolio PDF explaining the assigned problem and constraints and showing your brainstorming.
- Include at least three hand-drawn solution sketches, each with a pros-and-cons list, an engineering drawing of your chosen design, and a written evaluation of that design.
This year’s challenge
There is no separate annual theme listed. The engineering problem is announced at the conference. The paper-airplane launcher brief in the guide is only an example.
How the competition works
Before the event
Practice brainstorming, sketching, engineering drawing, and assembling a PDF. You receive the actual design brief and submission directions at the conference.
First round
Receive the on-site design brief, work through the technical design process as a team, and submit the portfolio PDF within twenty-four hours.
How the event finishes
No separate semifinal round, presentation, or interview is listed. Judges evaluate the submitted design portfolio to determine the results.
Know before you choose: The portfolio needs three different hand-drawn solution options with pros and cons, followed by an engineering drawing and an evaluation of the selected design. All competition work must be completed by the two teammates.
How your work is scored
Judges score each portfolio component and the design process, including problem interpretation, brainstorming, the three alternatives, the final engineering drawing, and the evaluation.
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: 337–341. 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.
Start my competition notes