2025 Techs League
PARC Techs: Phosphate Extraction and Fertilizer Production
The Phosphate challenge introduces participants to the critical processes involved in phosphate-based fertilizer production, a key industry for global agriculture. This challenge simulates the journey of phosphate from raw material extraction to processing and final shipping, highlighting the role of robotics in industrial automation. Participants will design, and operate VEX IQ robots to streamline material handling, chemical processing, and product transport. This hands-on experience will develop problem-solving, engineering, and automation skills, essential for the future of industrial and environmental sustainability.
Download PARC TECHS Challenge (English & French)Challenge and Rules
Scoring
Objective 1: Mining & Transport of Phosphate Rocks
Notation
Objectif 1: Extraction et transport des roches phosphatées
Objective 1: Mining & Transport of Phosphate Rocks
- If robot does not fit within the starting zone, the team will be disqualified and unable to compete.
- 2 points per phosphate rock that is successfully deposited into a container.
- 5 points for successfully depositing the large phosphate rock into a container.
- -3 points deducted per phosphate rock that exceeds the limit of 3 rocks per container.
- 2 points for every sulfuric acid added to a container.
- 2 points for every ammonia added to a container.
- Additional 3 points for every correct MAP produced.
- Additional 4 points for every correct DAP produced.
- -2 points deducted per defected sulfuric acid and ammonia added to the container.
- 5 points for each correctly delivered container.
- -3 point deducted for placing a container in the wrong area.
Notation
Objectif 1: Extraction et transport des roches phosphatées
- Si le robot ne rentre pas dans la zone de départ, l'équipe sera disqualifiée et ne pourra pas participer.
- 2 points par roche phosphatée déposée avec succès dans un conteneur.
- 5 points pour le dépôt réussi d'une grande roche phosphatée dans un conteneur.
- -3 points déduits par roche phosphatée dépassant la limite de 3 roches par conteneur.
- 2 points pour chaque acide sulfurique ajouté à un récipient.
- 2 points pour chaque ammoniac ajouté à un récipient.
- 3 points supplémentaires pour chaque MAP correct produit.
- 4 points supplémentaires pour chaque DAP correct produit.
- -2 points déduits par acide sulfurique et ammoniac défectueux ajoutés au récipient.
- 5 points pour chaque conteneur livré correctement.
- -3 points déduits pour un conteneur placé au mauvais endroit.
General Considerations
English
- The game will be a continuous flow, a sound will alert teams that it is time to move on to the next objective. Through-out the game the judges will track scores and at the end of the game the judges will do a final assessment of the field to tally the team’s score.
- Teams are encouraged to build a robot capable of completing all objectives. However, if a team chooses to switch out components during the challenge, they may do so—but the timer will not stop.
- Teams can make any variations of Robot however must only use pieces in the VEX IQ Super Kit.
- Teams must bring their robots to the competition and therefore must make plans on how to transport robots on plane/car to PARC.
French
PARC 2019
PARC 2019 challenges African students to devise solutions for the planning, design, management and transformation of future African cities.
PARC 2018
Africa has the highest disease burden in the world. PARC 2018 challenges students to devise solutions to provide access to quality Health services.
PARC 2017
Manufacturing is essential to economic growth. PARC 2017 challenges students to devise solutions for increasing Africa’s manufacturing capacity.