2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Clean River Design Challenge Handbook
Table of Content
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………............2
About the Partners…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Clean River Design Challenge Sponsors…………………………………………………………………………………...3
Awards and Recognition……………………………………………………………………………………………………4
General Rules, Regulations and Requirements……………………………………………………………………………4
Rule Changes and Precedence
Registered Participants
Publicity
Spirit of the Competition
Safety
Timeline and Required Events…………………………..…………………………………………………………………5
Round I Requirements…………….………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Round I Description
Design Paper
Design Drawing
Design Presentation
Judging
Round II Requirements…………...………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Round II Description
Materials
Dimensions
Location
Installation
Testing
Repairs
Device Removal
Design Handout
Construction Photos
Appendix A Round one judging sheets
Appendix B Round two judging sheets
Appendix C Registration Form
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Introduction
Over the course of the last four decades, The Greenway Foundation has been a leading force in the reclamation of the South
Platte River and its tributaries. In partnership with countless partners from all sectors of our community, this collaborative
effort has resulted in over $500 Million of recreational, environmental, water quality and flood control enhancements to these
invaluable urban waterways.
Despite this significant evolution in the health of the South Platte, the reality of trash and other forms of pollution continue to
be an ongoing challenge to the River. In response to this reality, TGF has formed an initiative known as PURE (Protect our
Urban River Environment). PURE is currently directing is mission in two areas:
 Education and enlightenment efforts to help Denver citizenry realize that
“trash in my neighborhood = trash in my waterways”
 Prevention and removal efforts to reduce the levels of trash and debris in the River and its tributaries.
The Clean River Design Challenge targets a collaborative and innovative opportunity to combine these two areas of PURE’s
mission. The students of Metro State University (MSU) in collaboration with the One World One Water (OWOW) center
have been challenged to design a trash removal device that can then be placed on Cherry Creek in Lower Downtown Denver
where the effectiveness of the device can be observed and analyzed. This competition will both raise awareness of, and
develop an implementable solution to, pollution in the South Platte and its tributaries.
About the Partners
The Greenway Foundation:
Since 1974, TGF has been a major force behind the transformation of Denver’s South Platte River and its
tributaries from neglected and polluted eyesores into thriving ecological and recreational resources. By
partnering with numerous public, private and philanthropic organizations, TGF has helped substantially
improve water quality and recreational opportunities along these urban waterways, facilitating the creation
of more than 100 miles of riverside trails and more than 100 acres of riverside parks and natural areas.
In addition to spearheading environmental improvements along the river, TGF offers a range of community events and
environmental education programs designed to deepen the Metro Denver community’s appreciation of and engagement with
the River and its ecosystems. The Clean River Design Challenge is TGF’s newest endeavor to further improve the River and
promote ongoing stewardship of this historic and valuable resource.
One World One Water Center at Metropolitan State
University (MSU) of Denver: In 2011, the One World One
Water (OWOW) Center for Urban Water Education and
Stewardship was created at Metropolitan State College in
Denver with a $1 million donation to develop "urban water
stewards" from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of disciplines. Undergraduate students who study hydrology, history,
politics, water law, conflict resolution and negotiation will participate in internships and other volunteer opportunities to help
shape new solutions for local and statewide water issues. Part of MSU Denver’s mission as an urban land grant institution is to
help the community solve community-related issues. Water is a huge issue in the West, and the new OWOW Center helps to
address those needs.
The OWOW Center also works closely with the campus student water club – the WASSUP Club (Water Association of
Student Stewards Urban Program). They host a wide range of activities on and off campus, including lunch and learn sessions,
field trips, trash cleanup activities along Cherry Creek, and much more. They are a key component of the water studies
activities at MSU Denver. Together, this team will work to engage and manage MSU Denver students’ participation in the
Clean River Design Challenge.
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Clean River Design Challenge Sponsors
Thank you so much to Rose Community Foundation and the Innovate for Good grant for making the Clean River Design
Challenge a possibility!
About Innovate for Good
Innovate for Good is a new project of Rose Community Foundation – launched in January – to find and fund new, innovative
projects to make the greater Denver community a better place to live. Nearly 400 ideas were submitted and a diverse review
panel of more than 130 community members reviewed those ideas. Nine winners were awarded receiving funds totaling
$250,000. To learn more, please visit rcfdenver.org/innovateforgood.
About Rose Community Foundation
Rose Community Foundation uses leadership, grantmaking and donor engagement to invest in strategic and innovative
solutions to enduring problems and emerging issues. The Foundation has granted more than $227 million since it was founded
in 1995. To learn more, please visit rcfdenver.org.
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Awards and Recognition
The top three winning design team will receive a commemorative plaque.
The overall winner will also have an opportunity to present their idea to the TGF Board, Urban Drainage Board, Water
Connection advisory council, and promotion to the community through the TGF website, annual report, and local press.
The winning MSU Denver department will receive a $3,000 honorarium to be spent on further engagement and education on
the issue of trash in the River
General Rules, Regulations and Requirements
Rule Changes and Precedence
The Rules and Regulations of the Clean River Design Challenge are updated each year in an effort to improve the overall
competition. Teams are strongly cautioned to read this entire document carefully and disregard rules and website postings
from previous years. Teams should not consider items such as, but not limited to, rulings and interpretations made by
conference and national judges in previous competitions as setting precedence for this year’s competition.
Registered Participants
Individuals or teams may enter the Clean River Design Challenge. All students who are interested in participating in the Clean
River Design Challenge must fill out the registration form and return the form by October 1st, 2015 (via email or postmarked
by this date). By registering for this competition you are committing to participating in both rounds of the competition if your
design is selected. All registrants must be enrolled and in good standing with the school for the 2015-2016 school year.
Return forms to:
Autumn Bjugstad
autumn@greenwayfoundation.org
1855 S Pearl St #40
Denver, CO 80210
Publicity
The Greenway Foundation and its partners have the right to use any photograph/video image of participants, design papers,
design drawings, or models to be used in printed publications, on the internet or in other electronic formats for press or print
purposes. If participant images are used, they hereby consent, without further consideration or compensation to the use of
images taken for the purposes of illustration, advertising or distribution of any manner. Images remain property of The
Greenway Foundation and that there will be no restrictions. No payment is due in respect of this authority and that no further
payments are required at any time.
Spirit of the Competition
Under the “Spirit of the Competition,” the judges and/or partners may take disciplinary action, including warnings, point
deductions, or disqualification of a team or entry for inappropriate use of materials, language, alcohol, uncooperativeness, or
general unprofessional behavior of team members or persons associated with a team. The judges and/or partners have the
final authority to determine what constitutes a violation of the “Spirit of the Competition” and may take appropriate action
towards point deduction or disqualification.
Safety
It is the responsibility of all participants to be knowledgeable of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA,
www.osha.gov) policies. It is the responsibility of all participants to know about the materials with which they are working.
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Participants should obtain and read material safety data sheets (MSDS) for each material with which they will be working. It is
the responsibility of all participants to work in a safe manner in a safe workplace environment.
Timeline and Required Events
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September 25, 2015, 12-2pm – Meet Up
o Any interested individuals can network with others to create a diverse team
o Lunch will be provided
September 26, 2015, 8am-12pm – Fall RiverSweep
o Any interested individuals are encouraged to volunteer at the Fall RiverSweep event to witness the issue of trash
in and along the River and Cherry Creek. Registration is required: http://www.thegreenwayfoundation.org/fallriversweep.html
o Breakfast and Lunch are available for volunteers
October 1, 2015 – Registration Deadline
o Registration paperwork must be turned in
December 4, 2015 – Round I Judging
o Round I Judging, Time and location will be determined and emailed out to all participants
o Teams must turn in a Design Paper, Design Drawing and Present their idea to the panel of judges
o The top 5 design teams will receive an opportunity to compete in Round II. Teams participating in the second
round are eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,000 in material costs.
April 30, 2016 – Round II Judging
o Final designs will be tested on the Cherry Creek during TGF’s Spring RiverSweep
o Time and check in information will be determined and emailed out to all participants
Round I Requirements
Round I Description
Any number of students can participate in the first round of the Clean River Design challenge. Round I includes the creation
of an idea and illustrating the device in a paper, drawing and presentation. The top five winners will continue onto Round II.
Design Paper
The overall design paper should cover the following various aspects of your design:
 Issue being addressed by the design
 Overall design concept
 Innovation of design
 Design process
 Energy used
 Long term maintenance
 Community involvement
 Consideration for the environment
 Materials to be used and why
 Calculations used
 Project schedule (if your team was to be chosen to build in round 2)
 Conclusion
The design paper is to be printed on 8 ½ x 11in paper in the portrait orientation. Body text shall be in English and use 12point, normal width character spacing, Times New Roman or Arial font, and be at least single spaced. Section headings and
subheadings may be of any legible font type or size. The paper must be no more than two pages front and back.
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Six copies of the paper and a CD or thumb drive with a PDF version shall be turned in at the time of judging.
Design Drawing
When creating your design drawing, participants should consider the following:
 Professionalism of diagram
 Content
 Labels and keys for all components
 Multiple diagram views
 Materials used for construction
 Illustration of how the object works
All text must be legible and no smaller than size 8-point text. The paper may be up to 11 x 17in paper. No more than two
pages, front and back of drawings.
Six copies of the drawings and a CD or thumb drive with a PDF version shall be turned in at the time of judging (May be the
same CD or thumb drive as the paper).
Design Presentation
When creating your presentation please consider the following:
 Preparation Level
 Confidence
 Voice Projection
 Overall Demeanor
 Presentation Quality
 Quality of Audio/Visuals
 Content
 Professionalism of Presentation
 Judges’ Questions
Students will have five minutes to present their design to the panel of judges. PowerPoints and/or visual representations are
encouraged but not required. Students will be able to use a projector and computer. It is up to the competitors to bring their
presentation in a format that can be opened on the computer.
Judging
Judges will take into account the design paper, drawing and presentation along with feasibility, effectiveness and community
consideration. Five winners will be given the opportunity to continue onto create their trash removal device. These five
winners will have up to $1,000 to be spent on materials for their project.
Round II Requirements
Round II Description
The top five teams from Round I must build their design using up to $1,000 dollars. These devices will be on display at TGF’s
Spring RiverSweep for judging.
Materials
Participants are responsible for choosing the materials that they find appropriate for their design. Any materials that are used
must not negatively impact the water quality, damage the park, or harm the stream bed.
Dimensions
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
Participants are responsible for choosing the dimensions of their device. Teams are responsible for moving, transporting and
installing their device. It is the recommendation of the Clean River Design Challenge that all teams take into account the size
of the park, walkways, and bridges before constructing their device.
Location
Devices must be constructed with the location in mind. Judging will take place at Confluence Park. All devices must be
installed in the area between the South Platte River and the pedestrian bridge over the Cherry Creek. See below
Installation
The device must be installed the morning of April 23rd, 2015, times will be determined and emailed out to all participants. The
installation of the device must not negatively impact the water quality, damage the park, or harm the stream bed. Participants
will only have up to 15 minutes to install their device into the testing area.
Testing
Once the device is installed, a small amount of litter will be released into the creek to test the effectiveness of the device. The
Clean River Design Challenge will do everything in its power to prevent the trash from escaping the testing waters.
Repairs
If the device malfunctions or needs a repair of any sort once it has been installed, participants can take one-fifteen minute
opportunity to fix their device.
Device Removal
Participants are responsible for the removal of your device once the competition concludes.
Design Handout
All teams must also turn in a design handout addressing the following information:
 Issue being addressed by the design
 Overall design concept
 Long term maintenance
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2015-2016 Clean River Design Challenge Rules and Regulations
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Community involvement
Consideration for the environment
Materials used and why
Diagram of the device
The design paper is to be printed on 8 ½ x 11in paper in the portrait orientation. Body text shall be in English and use 12point, normal width character spacing, Times New Roman or Arial font, and be at least single spaced. Section headings and
subheadings may be of any legible font type or size. The paper must be no more than one page front and back.
Six copies of the paper and a CD or thumb drive with a PDF version shall be turned in at the time of judging.
Construction Photos
All teams must present five photos of the construction process. These can either be emailed (info@greenwayfoundatin.org or
presented on a CD or thumb drive)
Judging
Judges will take into account the design hand out along with effectiveness, implementation, replicability and community
consideration.
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