Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) Airport Design Challenge Instructions
Competition Details
Directions
- Students may work individually or in teams of 2-5 students within the grade range specified.
- Students will research airports from their individual state and choose one to model their design after. While teams may choose any airport they prefer, choosing smaller, local airports may enhance the opportunity to interact with the airport management and gain a better understanding of the airport overall.
- Students will work together to develop a new map which closely resembles the terrain and environment near their home. Once completed, they will determine a suitable location to develop their airport.
- Students will develop specific parts of their airport based on assignments and guidance from FAA aerospace and engineering experts. Instructional videos, web links, and references will be available to assist them in understanding and duplicating each element of the airport properly (weekly focus tasks are illustrated in Table below).
- Students will collaborate on weekly knowledge check quizzes associated with specific assignments.
- Final design submissions must include either a video tour of the airport, narrated by the students and/or a slide presentation including still graphics of airport parts with written descriptions of each.
- Only the final submission will be judged; however, students must complete all knowledge check assignments.
Award Categories
Certificates will be provided for grades K-6 and 7-12 in the following categories:
- Primary Airport
- Non-primary Airport
Assessment Criteria
A panel of three independent reviewers will assess each entry, considering technical accuracy, creativity, innovation, and demonstrated knowledge (from weekly progress worksheets and final narrative). Each of the four factors will be worth up to 20 points per reviewer. The table below provides a comprehensive scoring rubric. The below categories will have two age groups – K-6th grade & 7th-12th grade.
| Novice (0-5 Points) |
Competent (6-10 Points) |
Proficient (11-15 Points) |
Expert (16-20 Points) |
|
| Technical Accuracy |
0 (0.00%) - 5 (6.25%) Inaccurate dimensions or scale. Missing major elements. |
6 (7.50%) - 10 (12.50%) Some items are dimensionally correct or to scale. Missing minor elements. |
11 (13.75%) - 15 (18.75%) Most items are dimensionally correct and to scale. All required elements are present. |
16 (20.00%) - 20 (25.00%) All items are present, dimensionally correct, and to scale. |
| Creativity |
0 (0.00%) - 5 (6.25%) Terrain is flat and does not reflect the environment of the students' home. Airport components show minimal creative effort. |
6 (7.50%) - 10 (12.50%) Terrain is present but generic. Airport components show some creativity in both design and decoration. |
11 (13.75%) - 15 (18.75%) Terrain accurately reflects the students' home environment. Airport components are easily identifiable. |
16 (20.00%) - 20 (25.00%) Terrain and all airport components reflect a high level of creativity and attention to detail. |
| Innovation |
0 (0.00%) - 5 (6.25%) Basic program resources used; no innovative technology provided on the airport. |
6 (7.50%) - 10 (12.50%) Basic program resources used; some innovative technology included on the airport. |
11 (13.75%) - 15 (18.75%) Extended program resources used; some innovative technology included on the airport. |
16 (20.00%) - 20 (25.00%) Extensive use of program resources; innovative technology is appropriately used across the airport. |
| Presentation |
0 (0.00%) - 5 (6.25%) No audio narrative provided. Presentation does not adequately show the airport. Video length exceeds 7 minutes. |
6 (7.50%) - 10 (12.50%) Audio narrative is brief or unable to be heard. Presentation demonstrates a portion of the airport but does not reflect all parts. Video length exceeds 6 minutes. |
11 (13.75%) - 15 (18.75%) Audio narrative is fluent and adequately answers all assigned questions. Presentation demonstrates the student's work on all parts of the airport. |
16 (20.00%) - 20 (25.00%) Audio and video quality is well developed. All major parts of the airport are acknowledged and shown. Presentation stands out due to music, special effects, etc. |