AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Dr. Robert Wolf - Coordinator
785/532-2935
rewolf@ksu.edu
Seaton Hall Courtyard/Room 63 Seaton/Various Labs in Seaton North*
Monday, May 4, 2009
Registration: 7:30 – 7:45 a.m.
Contest: 7:45 – 12:00 a.m.

            A. Written Test** (All participants): 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. (Seaton 63)
            B. Individual Events*** with Rotation: 8:30 – 9:55 a.m. (Seaton Labs)
            C. Team/Group Event*** with Rotation: 10:00 – 12:00 noon (Seaton Labs)

*No parking available in the Seaton Hall vicinity!!!
**Only participants will be allowed in the exam room!!!
***No items associated with the CDE are to leave the contest area!!!

The event will follow the theme of the National FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event.  The 2009 event theme will be ‘Plant Production Systems’.  The areas covered in the event will include skills and competencies in the following areas:

            a.  Structural
            b.  Machinery & Equipment
            c.  Environmental & Natural Resources
            d.  Energy
            e.  Industrial & Marketing
            f.  Understanding Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE)

Note 1:  The ATM Event will consist of skills and competencies in the five areas listed above (a, b, c, d, and e) and (f) Understanding BAE.  Participants will need to be familiar with all areas listed above as they relate to the theme.  Item f will be an educational session discussing BAE.

Note 2:  A reference list for the 2009 ATM/CDE will be provided electronically.  Sometime nearer the event more specific information will be provided electronically to further guide the development of your team.  The detail of last years events have been posted.

Note 3:  Each contestant will participate in the following events:

1. Written examination:  Each contestant will complete a multiple-choice exam covering all the areas listed above.
2. Individual problem-solving activities:  Contestants will be split and rotated in 4 groups to solve problems associated with the areas listed above.  This will include the understanding BAE segment (Total of 4 rotations).  Contestants will have 20 minutes per split (rotation) to solve problems.  All contestants will complete all 4 rotations as an individual.
3. Team problem solving activity:  Contestants will compete as a 3-member team to solve one or more integrated problem(s) representing the five (a, b, c, d, e) areas (does not include f).  The team will be allowed to use any information and organize themselves to effectively solve the problem(s).  The team will have 110 minutes for the total event.  Because of the number of participants it is likely that 4 rotations among areas will occur during the 110 minute team event, thus time restrictions per area may be in force at approximately 25 minutes each.

Note 4:  Each contestant must follow recommended practices and work habits appropriate for the assigned activities.  Proper dress is required.  Contestants will be responsible for all personal safety equipment including:
           
a.  Industrial quality eye protection
            b.  Specialized safety equipment***

***No chemical handling activities will occur!

Note 5:  Contestants must provide an electronic calculator, clipboard, and at least 2 sharpened No. 2 pencils.

Note 6:  As indicated in the National Event Update, laptop computers are recommended for incorporating into the CDE.  The ATM/CDE planning group WILL attempt to implement a team activity involving the use of a laptop computer.  Therefore, it is suggested that each team should make plans to have access to a laptop with CD and USB capabilities for use in the ATM/CDE.  We will provide MORE DETAILS on computer use as the contest approaches.  A simple Excel spreadsheet exercise is probable.

Scoring:

Contestants will be scored as follows:
                                                                                   Contestant         Team
      a. Written examination (30 pts *3)                                     30              90
      b. Individual problem solving activities (30 pts/split *3*3)       90              270
      c. Team problem solving activity (40 pts/split *4)                    0             160
                                     Total Points                                   120             520

Tiebreakers:
            a.         Individual
                           1. Highest test score
                           2. Highest individual event score

            b.         Team:
                           1.  Highest team total for problem solving score
                           2.  Highest team total from individual event.