Rules, Format and Frequently Asked Questions

How does the competition work?

  1. Decide on a category you want to enter.
  2. Organise a team of up to 3 students from the same age level.
    NOTE:Entries must be made through a school - no 'private' entries.
  3. Send in your entry form with the entry fee.
  4. On the day of the competition, each team will be provided with a task to do in two hours, in the category they have chosen.
  5. Tasks are marked straight after the competition, winners identified and prizes awarded.

What type of software/hardware do we need to provide?

You will need to provide your own computers and software relevant to the category you are entering. For example, if you are doing programming, have the programming language on your computer. If you are doing multimedia electronic presentation, have the correct presentation software on your computer, etc. Computers can be desktop or laptop. No printers are required as tasks are marked on the computers.

NOTE: You may use any digital tool to enhance your task, eg. cameras, sound, local networks etc. If you have more than one computer in your team, be aware of the fact that the final task is marked on ONE computer only.

Tasks will be distributed on CD. Please ensure that the CD drive on the computer is functional. No responsibility can be taken for computers that ‘crash’ during the competition. The judges decision is final.

Do the children select one topic, eg. Web Page Design, or do they do all of the areas under Multimedia?

Each team does one topic only.

How much computer experience and expertise do the children/staff need?

Have a look at some of the past questions in the category of your choice. If you can tackle the task, you have enough expertise.

Do the computers we bring need to be laptops and if so do you have any available to borrow?

No, they do not need to be laptops, and no, we do not have any to lend out. Come prepared with sufficient power boxes and extension cables to supply power to all the peripherals from one plug point.

I've entered the Share Brilliance competition for the first time this year, and I am wondering what this involves. Would you be able to send me some details about what is expected from the students, what we have to present to the judges etc.

The Share Brilliance is a section where an individual works on a project for some months. This project could be for a member of the family or a friend etc., so that you have a mentor to help you with requirements, specifications etc. Your project should have some potential educational and/or commercial value.

For example, one project was an analysis of traffic in an intersection, using animated vehicles - potentially of value to the City Council. Another one was designing a database specifically for a lawn bowls club. Someone else designed a database for his father's medical practice.

It's better to have a 'client' with a need, so you can get a brief and work on specifications. Just doing a program to run a game is not sufficient, unless the game has perhaps some educational value – and remember that the game market is very competitive. Ask around your parents' circle of contacts if there is a project somewhere, that you can use your skills to solve.

Remember, it may be that you start on the project this year, and develop and fine tune it next year.