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New Mexico State University

Table of Contents

Content Written Report Specifications
Written Report Submission Judging Criteria

Content

    Each task will require a separate written report addressing the proposed full-scale design. The paper must, at a minimum, include the following:

  • task identification
  • full-scale design description
  • bench-scale/prototype lab results
  • waste generation considerations
  • technical evaluation

1. The paper is limited to 26 pages and must include:

  • A report cover identifying the school and task (not included in the page limit)
  • A title page (counted as the first page)
  • A table of contents
  • An executive summary (maximum of two pages) highlighting the proposed solution
  • The report body
    Photographs, line drawings and graphs are permitted for illustrative purposes (included in the page limit)
  • References pages (included in the page limit)
  • Audits (see #2 below) are not included in the page limit.

The report should be non-proprietary and omit product trade names. Keep in mind, the paper will be photocopied in black and white for the judges during the contest.

2. University teams are required to have a separate audit to address each of the following: economics, health and legal issues. The audits should be made by professionals involved in the specific field. These audits will not be counted as part of your page limit. The audits can be made by faculty members, industrial representatives, experts, doctoral students, etc. For scoring purposes and ease of reading, the audits should be limited to 1-2 pages (not an edited copy of your paper).

3. All papers will become the property of WERC and may be used for publication, technology development and/or distribution. Proper credit will be given to the originating authors and schools.


Written Report Specifications

The following instructions are to be followed in preparation of your paper.

Manuscript Preparation

  • The paper length should not exceed 26 pages.
  • Use of laser or ink jet printers is recommended.
  • Font:
    Times, Times New Roman, or TMS Roman (If unavailable, a similar type with serifs is preferred over sans serif).
    Size: 12 point
    Major Headings: 12 point, Bold
    Title: 14 point, Bold
  • Margin settings:
    Cover page (Title page)
        Title: 2" top margin
        Centered (school name, team name, task number, advisor name and team member names)
    Body
        Top and bottom margins - 1"
        Right and left margins - 1"
  • each page of the written report must have a footer that includes the task number and the name of the participating school.
  • Use 1.5 line spacing
  • Paper:
    White, 8 ½" X 11"

Headings

  • Title: Center, upper case, bold; 14 point type
  • Major Headings: Left justify, upper case, bold; 12 point type
  • Subheadings: 1 tab (5 spaces); bold, 12 point type
  • Sub-subheadings: 2 tabs (10 spaces); underline, 12 point type

References

  • List and number all bibliographical references at the end of the paper.
  • When referring to references in the text, type the corresponding reference number in superscript form.

Equation Numbers

  • Enclose equation numbers in parentheses

Page Numbers

  • Center bottom of the page

Symbols and Abbreviations

  • Use only standard symbols and abbreviations in text and illustrations.

Illustrations, Drawings and Photographs

  • Line drawings and photographs should be reduced to proper size and placed as close to where they are referenced as possible.
  • All lines should be black on white paper and heavy enough to be legible.
  • All lettering should be large enough to be legible.
  • Original illustrations should not exceed 8.5" X 11".
  • Omit all unessential illustrations.

Written Report Submission

    Each team must submit a PDF copy as an email attachment to bcvaldez@nmsu.edu by the due date - March 11th. This PDF copy will be used for web-based scoring, so it must include all elements - including the audits (Adobe will allow up to three free documents to be put into PDF on their web site).  For schools participating in multiple tasks a reports for each task must be sent as a separate attachment (i.e. for a school participating in Tasks 1 and 2 please send two separate emails one for the Task 1 report and one for the Task 2 report).  The email with the PDF attachment must be received in the WERC office by the due date. Late reports will be penalized at a rate of 25 points per day. Faxed copies will not be accepted.

    Each team must provide 2 printed copies (1 bound copy and 1 unbound copy) of the report. WERC would prefer that all the copies be 2-sided.  Reports for each task must be printed and bound separately.  Each team must also provide a PDF file of their report on a disc.  The printed copies must be received by the WERC office prior to the start of the contest.  Faxed copies will not be accepted. It is highly recommended that you send your report via UPS or FedEx for tracking purposes.

 

Send the 2 hard copies of the reports to:
Barbara Valdez
WERC/NMSU
1060 Frenger Mall EC III, Third Floor, Suite 300 South
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

(575) 646-7821


Written Report Judging Criteria

  • Overall quality, thoroughness, technical depth and clarity
  • Quality and clarity of Executive Summary
  • Engineering and scientific basis
  • Equipment and process selection
  • Discussion of legal, health and worker safety
  • Discussion of process monitoring
  • Discussion of bench-scale results, testing and evaluation
  • Economic analysis
  • Public involvement
  • Professional audits
  • Other issues as specified in your selected task