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// Official rules

Read the rules.
Then break records,
not them.

Mission Mars is judged as seriously as any real industry pitch. These are the rules the IDC holds every team to — know them before you build.

Do

  • Read the RFP carefully, and take notes at every team meeting
  • Schedule manageable work sessions, and keep to them
  • Use design software, 3D printing, and online resources
  • Coordinate closely with teachers and supervising staff
  • Be inclusive — everyone on the crew has a part to play
  • Research thoroughly before committing to a design
  • Act like a company: professional, punctual, and prepared

Don't

  • Assume your suggestion is the only one worth following
  • Harass or bully anyone, at any point, for any reason
  • Miss deadlines — the industry does not wait, and neither do we
  • Let personality disputes derail the work in front of you
  • Disrespect the judging panel or argue with its decisions
  • Change your proposal or model after it has been submitted

// The full text

Official programme rules

Submission, safety, conduct, and integrity. Anything not covered here defaults to the wording of the official RFP 2.0 document.

Submission requirements

  1. Length. Written proposals must be no more than 30 pages.
  2. Format. Proposals are accepted as PowerPoint, Word, or PDF.
  3. Video. Any supporting video must be under 1GB, in .mp4, .MOV, or .AVI format.
  4. Delivery. All files are submitted on the provided pen drive, in clearly labelled folders.
  5. Deadline. Late submissions incur scoring penalties at the panel's discretion.

Material & safety restrictions

  1. Power limit. Model electronics are capped at 12V DC.
  2. Mains power. Direct 240V AC electrification of a model is strictly prohibited.
  3. Board interconnection. Every hexagonal board must connect cleanly with neighbouring teams' boards for the final display. Coordinate shared edges in advance.
  4. Supervised tools. Cutting, soldering, and heat tools are used only in supervised build areas with the correct protective equipment.
  5. Batteries. Stored and charged under adult supervision, never left charging unattended.

Team conduct

  1. Student-led. Supervising adults may advise and encourage only. The design, proposal, model, and pitch must be the students' own work.
  2. Inclusion. Harassment, bullying, or exclusion of any team member is not tolerated.
  3. Presentation dress. Full school uniform is required at presentations.
  4. Devices. Mobile phones must be switched off or in flight mode throughout presentations.
  5. Respect the panel. Judging decisions are final and are not open to dispute during the event.

Competition integrity & disqualification

  1. No late edits. Once submitted, a proposal or model cannot be altered.
  2. Disqualification. Any team found updating its proposal or model during the presentation period is disqualified outright.
  3. Original work. Plagiarised or externally produced work is grounds for disqualification.
  4. Penalties. Failing to follow these guidelines incurs penalties applied to the team's overall score.

Still have a question the rules do not answer?

Read the FAQ Download RFP 2.0