CogatXcel

National Round:

• The preliminary round consists of online assessments accessible to students in grades 1-12.
• Questions are tailored to each grade level to ensure appropriateness and fairness.
• Tasks may include verbal analogies, number series, figure classification, and other cognitive reasoning exercises.
• Participants compete against their peers within their respective grade levels.

International Round:

• Qualifying participants from the preliminary round advance to the global finals held in the USA.
• The global finals feature more advanced and challenging tasks to further test participants' cognitive abilities.
• Participants compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals based on their performance in the finals.

RobotiXcel

Evaluating robotics design according to grade levels involves assessing various aspects of the design process and the final robot product, taking into account the age, experience, and technical proficiency of the students. Here's a breakdown of how to evaluate robotics design at different grade levels:

Grades 1-5 (Junior Level):

1. Creativity and Innovation:
• Assess the originality and creativity of the robot design. Look for unique features or functionalities that demonstrate imaginative thinking.
2. Functionality:
• Evaluate whether the robot performs its intended tasks effectively. Focus on simple actions such as moving forward, turning, and interacting with objects.
3. Safety:
• Ensure that the robot design prioritizes safety, especially considering the age of the students. Check for any sharp edges, loose parts, or other hazards.
4. Aesthetics:
• Consider the appearance of the robot. While not as crucial as functionality, a visually appealing design can enhance engagement and pride in the project.
5. Documentation:
• Assess the clarity and completeness of the documentation accompanying the robot design, including drawings, diagrams, and written explanations.

Grades 6-8 (Intermediate Level):

1. Technical Complexity:
• Evaluate the complexity of the robot design in terms of mechanical, electrical, and programming components. Consider factors such as the number of sensors, motors, and actuators used.
2. Robustness:
• Assess the durability and reliability of the robot design. Evaluate whether it can withstand minor collisions, rough terrain, or other environmental challenges.
3. Programming Skills:
• Evaluate the sophistication of the programming code controlling the robot. Look for evidence of loops, conditional statements, sensor integration, and autonomous behavior.
4. Problem-Solving:
• Assess the students' ability to identify and overcome design challenges or limitations. Consider how they iteratively refine their designs based on testing and feedback.
5. Teamwork (if applicable):
• If the project involves teamwork, evaluate how effectively the team collaborates, communicates, and distributes tasks among members.

Grades 9-12 (Senior Level):

1. Engineering Design Process:
   • Evaluate how well students follow the engineering design process, including problem identification, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
2. Innovation and Originality:
   • Assess the level of innovation demonstrated in the robot design. Look for novel solutions to challenges or unique applications of technology.
3. Integration of Technologies:
   • Evaluate how effectively students integrate multiple technologies (e.g., sensors, actuators, microcontrollers) into their robot design to achieve desired functionalities.
4. Real-World Applications:
   • Consider the practicality and relevance of the robot design to real-world problems or applications. Evaluate whether the design addresses a specific need or challenge.
5. Presentation Skills:
   • Assess students' ability to communicate their design process, rationale, and results effectively through presentations or demonstrations. Evaluate clarity, organization, and engagement.

Overall Considerations:

• Fairness: Ensure that evaluation criteria are fair and equitable, taking into account the resources, time constraints, and prior experience of students.
• Feedback: Provide constructive feedback to students, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement in their robot designs.
• Encouragement: Acknowledge and celebrate students' efforts and achievements, fostering enthusiasm and continued interest in robotics.