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ITDP Innovation Factor
Challenge (IFC)

Overview

  • A competition for seniors that runs in parallel with senior project

  • Seniors will work in groups as they normally would for senior project, but will identify and focus on projects in the following categories/topics:

    • Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)

    • Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR)

    • Cloud and High-Performance Computing

    • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

    • Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Maximum of 4 teams will be admitted into the competition

  • The challenge will officially begin at the start of the 2023 Fall Semester.

  • Competitors will have 2 semesters to complete their projects and final demonstrations will be conducted at the end of the 2024 Spring Semester.

Participant Expectations

  • Selected teams will participate in weekly SCRUM team meetings as they develop their projects (from conceptualization through prototype implementation)

  • During the first semester of the challenge teams will work on completing a full proposal for their product idea/solution. This proposal will align with the proposal that needs to be done for senior design class.

    • All teams will have mock-ups of their planned designs in the first semester to get some visual understanding of the product functionality

    • The required proposal artifacts (including but, not limited to) are listed below.

      • Conceptual Design

      • Marketability Report

      • Cost Analysis

      • Project Timeline

      • Group Member Roles

  • During the  second semester of the challenge, teams will start implementing the idea proposed

    • Students will continue to attend weekly SCRUM meetings to address their project timelines and discuss any issues/impediments they may be experiencing

    • Teams will also be expected to track the progress of their project and must use the technologies provided to help with tracking and reporting efforts

  • At the end of the challenge, the expectation is that teams will have built a demonstrable product prototype that contains components of its functionality.

  • Product prototypes do not need to be fully functional but should align with what was proposed and meet established delivery milestones (as is expected in industry).

Project Evaluation Criteria

There are 6 criteria that projects will be judged on, with a max total score of 90 points. Each criterion will be judged on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 equating to “exceeds expectations”, and 1 equating to “failed to meet expectations”. Judges will rate each project against each of the criteria and total the ratings for a final team score.

  • Originality / Innovation

    • Does it stand out

    • Has it been done before

    • Your Contribution

  • Complexity

    • Tech stack / Project workflow

    • User Interface

    • Software/Hardware integration

  • Completeness / Timeliness

    • Clear Documentation

    • Does it work/ Is it repeatable

    • Scheduled future works/ action plan

  • Marketability

    • Does it have real world applications

    • Target audience

    • Is it feasible / cost to consumer

  • Presentation

    • Clear and concise explanation of product and process

    • Presentation flow

    • Product Demo

  • Cleanliness / Technical Approach

    • Consistent Formatting

    • Writability/Maintenance

    • Use of current market technologies / ideologies 

 

* Reminder All projects must show Proof of Concept (e.g., live software / pre-recorded hardware demo). Projects need not be market ready by the competition deadline but must have project completion timeline. Project submissions should be practical in nature. Enhancements to pre-existing solutions are allowed. Each group must submit a project mock-up for phase one of the competition. Any late submission will result in a group disqualification.

Entry Guidelines

  • Only Group Based Projects Allowed (No Single Entries)

  • Software Only Teams (3 members)

  • Software/Hardware Teams (5 members max)

  • Minimum 2.5 GPA (3.0 in Major)

  • All applicants must be expected to graduate in the 2024 calendar year

Application Requirements

  • Applications are due NLT May 1, 2023 (11:59 PM)

  • Applications will be accepted beginning April 1, 2023 (12:00 AM)

  • Application submissions will be per team and include:

    • Project Abstract (1 page limit)

    • Resumes (Each Group Member)

    • College Transcript (Each Group Member)

  • Announcement of selected teams will be made on May 15, 2023

Perks

  • Participants Stipend

  • Participants will receive 2 - $250.00 stipends

    • The first stipend will be given to all participants at the beginning of the competition

    • The second stipend will be given at the end if the competition based on each individual’s evaluation from there teammates

      • A minimum score of 70% will be needed to get the second stipend

  • Prize Money

    • The winning team will be awarded $5,000.00

    • The grand prize will go to the team with the highest number of points.  A detailed breakdown of the scoring will be provided to each team at the start of the competition so they can be mindful of the evaluation criteria applied during the design and implementation phases.

  • Opportunity to work with the hottest technologies

  • Hands-on experience working on a practical project

  • Training and Industry Mentorship

  • Course credit

  • Fun activities and outings

  • Formal industry experience with S3 to add to your resume

The application submission window is now closed!

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