Melstone ATMS district invite contest.

[Bart Ovnicek]

I know this is early to be getting emails about our February 2nd 2026 Mechanics contest. However I have a couple ideas that I want to run by you all before I implement them.

I am thinking about having  team welding, and  team wood construction  projects. This would be for the Senior teams only.

The projects would be done at your schools and brought and judged at the contest.

I would send out a material list for both projects early November so you can purchase materials

I would send out schematics for the welding project Early December.

I would send out wood project schematics early January.

1 project per school, project scores would be added to the top 4 individual scores of each school. For the team score.

So please give me your feedback on this. What do you see as good and potential problems with doing this? I would set up a judging rubric and send out with the material list.  

The second thing I would like to implement is an individual welding award.

Each school would already have picked their top welder and at the mechanics contest would do the team weld project then also weld a mig project and a tig project. Maybe a stick vertical weld. In addition, setting up the welder for each weld with different metal thickness. 

My thought (and I have not reached out yet) is to try and get a 500- or 1000 dollar scholarship for the winner to a trade school?

I will be at The DLS in roundup so please those who are there give me feedback positive and negative. Those who can only respond by email can really have at it.

I hope all of you are having a great year so far.

Bart