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Golden Design Challenges

Introduction

Design is in everything we make, but it’s also between those things. It's a mix of craft, science, storytelling, propaganda, and philosophy. - Erik Adigard

This Shaastra, we present you with a unique opportunity. Put your genius to work in designing solutions to problems that impact society. We call upon the finest brains of the country to do something, as big as envisioning a city's transportation network, to a task as basic as resolving the mosquito menace. Designing a speed detector calls for the best in engineering skills, while the seemingly simple challenge of creating a new type of water filter demands innovative ability.

At Shaastra, we believe in investing in creative ideas. This is your chance to catch the eye of industry and translate an idea into a product.

Widespread fame and recognition, along with six digit cash prizes, await the winners. Leave no stone unturned, because when it comes to the Golden Design Challenges, it isn't enough to just roll the symbolic dice. You have to ensure that two and two make four.

The Water Filter Design challenge

The IIT Madras Class of 1978, as part of its Pearl reunion celebrations is sponsoring a competition for college students which is titled 'Development of a water filter'

The first place winner in this contest gets a outstanding prize of Rs 3 lakhs!

Download the problem statement here!

All queries regarding the Water Filter Challenge should be mailed to waterfilter@shaastra.org.

Note that the judging is being done by the IIT Madras alumni from the class of 1978.

There is no presubmission required for this

Event Format and Guidelines

The rules and regulations of the Water Filter Challenge are substantiated in its problem statement.

The guidelines for the rest are as follows:

  • Teams should be of not more than 4 members each.
  • Prelims
    • The initial submission by the participants would be in the form of 15-20 page paper submission sent as an e-mail attachment to gdc@shaastra.org, prior to the first deadline. This report should clearly contain:
      • The approach of your team to solve the problem
      • The method harnessed in the design
      • Charts, Graphs, and other pertinent details if necessary
      • AV aids in data CD format if deemed necessary, and all supplementary content must be mailed to the physical address given in GDC contact details, along with a hardcopy of paper submission
    • The finalists for each Golden Design Challenge will then be selected at the discretion of the judges assigned to the particular challenge. They will be intimated of their selection

      NOTE : At this juncture, we expect a prompt response (specified by the 2nd deadline) from the team confirming its intent of attending Shaastra 2008 and participating in GDC.
  • Finals at Shaastra 2008
    • At Shaastra, depending on which challenge you have chosen, your entry should range from a model and poster presentation to a prototype.
      • A certain pre-determined amount of costs of the model/prototype shall be reimbursed to all finalists at Shaastra 2008.
    • The design will then be evaluated on various parameters such as innovation, technical and economic feasibility, detailing of the design and other important nuances.
    • The winning teams will be selected on the basis of several parameters, connected with the entries presented during Shaastra 2008.

In case of any discrepancies and doubts, feel free to contact any of the coordinators by phone, or email us:gdc@shaastra.org

All confusion and any conflict arising out of the results of the Golden Design Challenges is at the sole arbitration of IIT Madras and any dispute in this regard will be resolved as per the decision of the Shaastra 2008 governing body.

Important Dates

  • Competition Opens : June 12th
  • Last date for submission of entries : 1st September
  • Announcement of Finalists : 12th September
  • Last date for confirmation : 15th September

Problem Statements and Contacts

Problem Statement Download Link Contact Details Discussion Forum
Speed Detector PDF HTML Sumedh 98843 26890
Pradeep 97898 19425		 Link
Get UT out of the RUT PDF HTML Sareen   98841 62999
Aashish 98847 74698		 Link
Mosquito Zapper PDF HTML Ramakrishna 98840 27633 Link
MAID PDF HTML Srinath     99942 36632
Subhadeep 98402 53796		 Link
Water Filter Poster Image Pravin 98843 46724 Link