Who is Kevin?

Kevin Olson has worked for Avnet since 2004 and was one of the early champions of the Avnet Tech Games.  He brought an energy level to the games that was hard to match.  Kevin was the Game Owner for the AMD Build the Fastest Computer game from 2006 to 2010.  He had a passion for helping students learn the importance of not only speed and efficiency, but quality, as well.  He has the kind of personality that gets you pumped up and excited about the games, about computers and the industry in general.

In November of 2010, Kevin was on his way home from a charity event with some friends and was involved in a car accident. Kevin ended up paralyzed from the neck down and spent the next 7 months in the hospital going through intense therapy.

Why does Kevin need your help?

Kevin was finally able to return home in May,  but he then found himself in a situation that is common for those with the same limitations.  He is now in a world where he cannot control even the simplest things and needs someone to help him with everything in his life--.things like turning on the television, changing the volume or even making a phone call, now require assistance. 

Kevin wants to be able to do the simple things in his home by using his voice.   He would like to be able to call his friends for a quick chat or even check the Avnet Tech Games website to see how the games are going. 

We saw this as a great opportunity to launch a game that would not only help Kevin, but would also get the high tech students involved by creating great ideas and products that could help make-over his home.

Faculty Sponsor

Not Required - Optional

Registration Deadline

Teams must be registered by Friday February 17th, 2012

Discipline /Skills Recommended

• Technology Research Skills


• Proposal Creation Experience


• Creativity


• Imagination


• Internet Browsing / Word / Excel / PowerPoint

Event Description

By Friday February 24th, 2012 registered student teams will be provided with the following:

• Proposal Requirements


• Overview of Full Scenario


• High Level Functional Requirements


• Technical Requirements / Wish List


• Any changes to the rules or expectations


• Judging methodology and scoring criteria


• Game Blog site to communicate questions

A one-hour conference call will be scheduled on Friday, February 24th, 2012 and will be open for all teams to attend.  Student teams will have an opportunity to obtain further information on Avnet's requirements.  Students should be ready to ask questions that will help refine the proposal/application.  Teams can also ask questions via a blog site.

FINAL PROPOSAL DUE - 5pm Arizona time on Friday March 30, 2012.
Avnet will provide a method for teams to upload or email their final proposals which are required to meet all the minimum required items for their final proposal to solve the High Tech Home Design Challenge.

Judging - April 2nd to 13th - Judges will review all entry proposals and perform scoring as well as feedback using judging form.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED - Winners will be announced on Saturday, April 14^th at the Tech Games as well as via Social Media and Tech Games Website.

GAME DAY – Saturday April 14^th  2012 – Winning Team will be invited to attend Avnet Tech Games in person and will be awarded their prize and recognized during the closing ceremonies.

Parameters

Game & Proposal

• Game is a Virtual Offline Design event with all work and designs done offline and at the team members own schedule.


• Students, Faculty and Schools are not required to purchase any equipment or software.


• Avnet reserves the right to modify or make changes to this game or the rules of this game at any time.


• Teams are to create a proposal that will solve the High Tech Home Design Challenge to their best ability.


• Proposal Requirements will be provided in detail to Teams.


• Final scores are determined using a criteria scoring sheet that will be provided upon the start of the competition.


• Final winner is determined by judges and highest score wins.

END PROPOSAL MUST BE:

• Original work of the contestant / team


• Demonstrate Creativity


• Meet all published deadlines

Sample Requirements of Design

• Voice REcognition Capability to control home appliances


• Hands - Free / Voice Capability to handle Social Media


• Live Meeting Conferencing with Work/Family/Friends


• Health Monitoring and Alerting System


• Medication automation and records keeping


• Whole house Communication System


• Hands-Free Voice Recognition Email Solution


• Free Play - come up with anything creative


• Future Play - come up with ideas that don't exist yet


• Bonus - use of Microsoft Products will gain you bonus points

Schedule

Complete Registration - Friday February 17th, 2012
Game Scenario provided by - Friday February 24th, 2012
Avnet Conference Call - Friday February 24th, 2012

Final Design Proposal - March 30, 2012
Judging of Final Entries - April 2, 2012
Select Winner - April 14, 2012

Awards

Team Member Winners -  Each team member will win a scholarship