The Sci-Fi Convention Tutor Pack

May the Challenges Be With You

Compiled by Chancellor Marken

for Wilmington Academy

World Book Day Festival 2017

SECTioN 1: The Group Challenges  The  state  of  the  galaxy  is  in  your  hands.  In  the  nature  of  promoting  understanding  and  cooperation,  High  Chancellor  Trusler  of  the  Wilmington  Galactic  Alliance  has  called  for  an  Inter-­‐Galactic  Congress,  where  all  planets  can  meet  and  learn  to  work  together  for  a  brighter  future  for  all.    There  will  also  be  the  Inter-­‐Galactic  Games,  A  Film  Festival,  a  Formal  Dinner,  and  a  series  of  competitions  to  see  who  is  the  greatest  planet  of  all.      Your  colleges  will  be  transformed  into  galaxies,  and  each  tutor  group  will  become  your  own  planet  within  it.  The  group  challenges  will  require  members  of  your  tutor  group  to  complete  a  series  of  tasks  that  you  will  submit  to  the  Intergalactic  Senate  for  review  during  the  Sci-­‐Fi  Convention.      Each  challenge  submitted  will  be  judged  on  its  own  merits,  so  each  one  can  earn  up  to  three  points  for  your  planet’s  total  (that  means  everyone  can  be  a  winner  if  they  use  problem  solving,  creative  thinking,  and  craftsmanship).        3  points:  clear  evidence  of  hours  of  work,  original  thinking,  drafting,  review,  research,  and  presented  in  a  professional  manner.  2  points:  some  evidence  of  hours  of  work,  original  thinking,  drafting,  review,  research,  and  presented  in  a  creative  and  thoughtful  manner.  1  point:  evidence  of  some  work,  original  thinking,  drafting,  review,  research,  and  presented  in  a  tidy  manner.    Note:  Any  submission  deemed  unsatisfactory  or  involving  plagiarism  will  receive  NO  points.      

Section 2: The individual Challenges  There  are  also  10  individual  challenges  that  tutees  can  nominate  to  take  part  in.  These  involve  competing  or  submitting  your  challenge  on  a  particular  day,  and  the  winning  competitor/s  gets  3  points,  the  runner-­‐up  gets  2  points,  and  each  competitor  gets  1  point.      In  the  first  session,  you  will  record  who  is  competing  in  which  challenges  on  the  Challenges  Sheet  included  in  this  pack.    This  can  also  be  put  up  on  the  tutor  notice  board  to  remind  students  which  competition  they  are  competing  in.    

Group Challenge 1: Creating Your Planet

Are you a budding scientist, geologist, or astronomer? Then this is the challenge for you. You will need to create your home planet to present to the Inter-Galactic Senate. You may present your planet in a digital format or as a blueprint, model, or any other format you can think of. However, it must include the following information (which can be provided in a write-up if necessary): • Your planet’s dimensions; • Your planet’s distance from its Sun; • Your planet’s geographical features (the more specific, the better;

you may want to include major geographical resources); • Details of your planet’s atmosphere; • Which areas are inhabitable/uninhabitable; • Breakdown of major countries and their boundaries; • Length of days and years on your planet; • Any environmental issues that your planet is currently facing (e.g.

acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion) and its causes. Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

Group Challenge 2: Create Your Apex Species

Looking for a career in biology, genetics, or forensics? Then this challenge is perfect for you. The species on your planet that has gained intellectual superiority may or may not be humanoid. However, whatever they are, they have gained the upper hand over every other species on your planet. Digitally, or by hand, you need to create a detailed outline of the dominant species on your planet. You must include:

• Their general appearance (for all genders); • Skeletal system (if they have one); • Nervous system (if they have one); • Circulatory system (if they have one); • Communication method; • Main social behaviours (e.g. manners, greetings, body language).

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February. Additonal Points Alert! Complete the task for your apex land, water, or air predator to gain additional points for your planet.

Group Challenge 3: origin Story

There is no conclusive evidence on how the universe began, but members of your planet’s elite have been trying to answer this question for generations. You are to come up with the prevailing origin stories for your planet. They should fit into three categories: • Ancient beliefs – the Ancient people of your planet had their

own beliefs on how the planet was formed – explain it in a story, storyboard, cartoon, or any other format you choose.

• Modern Beliefs – what do the majority of your planet’s citizens believe? Present in any format.

• Scientific Beliefs – according to the scientific discoveries made over the last century, what is the most supported scientific explanation for the existence of the universe on your planet? Present in any format.

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

Group Challenge 4: Modes of Transportation

Interested in a career in engineering, mechanics, or construction? You may want to take on this challenge. One of the great evolutionary changes that occurred to your planet was when you first created the technology to travel inter-planetary. How do the citizens of your planet travel across space? A space ship? A wormhole? Some other form? How do you power your space travel? Warp power? Fusion? For your space transportation you must include: • Design specifications; • Type of craft: battleship, transport, merchant; • Mode of power; • Pilot training (if needed); • Cargo capacity (if needed).

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February. Additonal Points Alert! Complete the task for an additional type of vessel to potentially earn more points.

 

Group Challenge 5: Currency and Trade Agreements

Interested in business, finance, or legislation? Then this is the challenge for you. What is the currency of your planet? Are there multiple currencies? Do you have a thriving trade and barter system? For this challenge you will need to outline the following: • The currency of your planet (notes, coins, beans, mineral); • The major agricultural resources of your planet; • The major industrial resources of your planet; • The major technological resources of your planet; • Any current trade agreements you have with other planets in the

Wilmington System; • Any trade agreements you would like to undertake to gain

resources from any of the other planets (for Defence, Food, Manufacturing, Infra-Structure).

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February. NOTE: To complete this challenge you may work with colleagues in other tutor groups in order to draw up trade agreements with their planet.

Group Challenge 6: Emancipation Proclamation

Interested in Law, Politics, Sociology, or Anthropology? You’ll want to work on this challenge. Slavery has long been a scourge across the Wilmington System. The more technologically advanced planets have enslaved the creatures of their moons, or other planets in their galaxy, in a bid to gain financial and resource superiority over their adversaries. Whether it has been slavery in the military, in the mines, or in the home, slavery has been part of every planet at some point or another. High Chancellor Trusler is hoping that slavery can be eradicated across the system (or the Congress can move us all closer to it). First, you have to identify whether your planet has already moved past slavery generations ago, is currently in the process of eradicating slavery, or has a deeply entrenched slavery culture. Then you must complete: • A history of slavery on your planet; • A breakdown of where and why slavery still exists on your planet; • An Emancipation Proclamation (a legal declaration of the end of

slavery, either ratified, or not ratified as the case may be); • Want to really impress? Write it in your home language and

provide an English translation.

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

Group Challenge 7: Gods and Monsters

Interested in Religious Studies, Anthropology, or Theology? You may want to take on this challenge. Belief systems are an important part of any planet’s culture. A binary system of good and evil prevails over most civilizations, so now we need to know what that system is for the creatures of your planet. Do they worship gods, machines, logic? For your belief system you must create: • The name of the faith; • A higher power or ruling class – worshipped by the main

population; • The religious practices of the faith, including how people show

their devotion; • The explanation of what happens after death; • The articles of faith – what is expected of followers?

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

Group Challenge 8: inter-galactic Translator

If you are interested in Linguistics, Languages, or writing professionally, then you will probably want to take on this challenge. Communication is one of the building blocks of an evolved species. Language is important in defining your planet’s base for communicating with other races, but has also helped to create art such as literature and poetry. For this challenge you must: • Provide an alphabet/rune/symbol/character system for your

language; • Provide the phonic system for this (how each character/letter

sounds) – so it can be spoken; • An example text written in your planet’s main language (this

could be a legal document, a piece of poetry, or any other genre you wish).

Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

Additonal Points Alert! There may be more than one major language on your planet. Complete the task for an additional language to potentially earn more points.  

 

Group Challenge 9: Musical Madness

Working towards a career as a session musician, singer, conductor, or actor? Then you should definitely take on this challenge. The Inter-Galactic Congress is an opportunity not only for hard work, but also a chance for performance and humour. As part of the festivities during the Congress, each planet has been asked to provide a video of them performing a theme song from a famous Sci-Fiction film or TV Show. There is one catch – it must be done a cappella (with only your voices). Whether you take inspiration from Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Stargate, or Battlestar Galactica, you’ll be sure to create something wonderful and original. Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to Miss Marken at nadia.marken@wilmingtonacademy.org.uk no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

 

   

Group Challenge 10: Galactic Sport

Interested in Sports Science, Biology, Personal Training or a professional career in Sport? Then this challenge is for you. Not only will there be musical entertainment at the Inter-Galactic Congress, there will also be the opportunity for planets to share their major sports with each other in the interest of creating galactic leagues in the future. For your own sport you must provide: • A comprehensive guide on the equipment needed and the rules

of the game; • How many players are needed; • A biography of a famous player in the sport; • Want to really impress? Include a video of your planet’s team

playing the game. Who can compete? Any number of members from your tutor group can work on this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC no later than the afternoon of Friday 24th February.

 

individual Challenge 1: Fan Fiction Interested in writing and the creative industries? Maybe it’s time for you to write an original fan fiction. For this challenge all you have to do is write a fan fiction inspired by any Science-Fiction novel, film, TV Show, or video game. The story must: • Be no more than 1000 words; • Must be entirely original and must not have been submitted for a

previous competition. Who can compete? Only one member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: This item must be submitted to the LRC on Monday 27th February. NOTE: You should do several drafts and edits on your fan fiction to get it to the standard required – copies with errors will not earn points.

 

individual Challenge 2: Bounty Hunter

Are you an expert problem solver and able to get the job done? Then this is the challenge for you. Bounty hunters make their living completing tasks for buyers; often tasks that others are not capable of completing. For this challenge you must: • Report at the date and time specified by the client; • Complete the task faster than any other bounty hunter; • Uphold the Bounty Hunter code by not cheating or engaging in

sabotage to complete the task. Who can compete? Only one member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: This competition will take place on Tuesday 28th February. Report to the LRC at the beginning of tutor time.

 

individual Challenge 3: Alien Artwork

Are you a budding artist or photographer? Then you should represent your planet in this challenge. As part of the Inter-Galactic Congress, a display of the finest artwork in the Wilmington System will be assembled for display in the Learning Resource Centre. The guidelines for the challenge are: • The piece must be 100% original and your own work; • The piece may be done using any medium; • The piece must draw inspiration from any Science-Fiction

universe, or the phrase ‘Beyond the Stars’.

Who can compete? Only one member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: Artwork must be submitted to the LRC for judging on Monday 20th February or Tuesday 21st February for judging. They will remain on display until Thursday 23rd February when they will need to be collected by the artist.

 

individual Challenge 4: Traditional Dress

Interested in working in the fashion industry? Then this is the challenge for you. Clothes play an important role in defining who we are as a people. The clothes of the people of your planet are just that; they reflect your climate, social views, and reflect your values. For this challenge you must create an original garment to be modelled by a member of your tutor group (please note: the designer can, but does not have to be the model of the garment). When creating your garment you should consider:

• Does this garment reflect the climate of your planet? Which season is this garment for?

• Which class does this garment represent? Upper, middle, or lower class clothing, if class exists in your society;

• Does the garment include any religious symbols/iconography? • How will you construct your garment? Sewing? Crocheting? Draping?

Who can compete? Only one member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge (two if the model is different to the designer). Submission Due Date: There will be a runway show on Wednesday 1st March during tutor time. Five minutes will be allowed for changing into garments. Please note: Clothes can be worn over the school uniform. Additonal Points Alert! On Thursday 2nd March, during World Book Day, planets that wear an accessory to identify them and have all members of their planet wear it for the entire day will win an additional 5 points for their total.

individual Challenge 5: Planetary Defence System

Fancy a career in the armed forces, or the security industry? Then you will want to take part in this challenge. Ensuring the safety of your planet has been a top priority for millennia, and for good reason. Your planet is technologically advanced and has many valuable resources, but is fundamentally hopeful for peace across the galaxy. In order to maintain your safety, you have built a planetary defence system, and in the interest of peace and mutual understanding, you are required to bring details of this system to the Inter-Galactic Congress. You must include: • Blueprints of the defence system; • Clear explanations of its capabilities (how much damage it can

cause); • The protocols in place for it to be used; • Details of how it is up kept and maintained.

Who can compete? Up to three members of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: The Meeting for the Maintained Defence of the Galaxies will take place on Wednesday 22nd February in the LRC at tutor time. Failure to attend may result in sanctions for your planet.

individual Challenge 6: Food That’s out of this World

Looking to one day become a professional chef, pastry maker, or cook? Then this challenge is just what you are looking for. As part of the festivities of the Inter-Galactic Congress, dignitaries from each planet will assemble to partake in a formal dinner. Each planet has been asked to provide their best chef to help with creating food for the occasion. Your dish can be either an appetiser or a dessert. You may bring your dish with you, clearly labelled with your full name and tutor group, or you may bring ingredients in on the day of the feast and use the one hour cooking time provided. Students that wish to cook on site will need to email Miss Marken beforehand to book a cooking station. Who can compete? Only member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: The cooking will take place in the Food Tech rooms on Wednesday 1st March for one hour, starting promptly at 2:15pm.

individual Challenge 7: The Ways of the Warrior

If you are interested in Martial Arts, a career in the Armed Forces, or Design and Technology, then this challenge is right up your alley. Warriors from various cultures and planetary systems have had to learn discipline, routine, and the ways of their weaponry to become the guardians of their planet and protect their citizens from the forces of evil. Your challenge is to create a warrior code for your planet. This can include any number of the following items: • The Warrior Code (rules by which the warrior lives by); • An outline of the fighting style or the warrior; • Replicas of warrior weapons (please note: these may only be

replicas which means they must be light-weight and in no way capable of causing harm);

• Warrior clothing or armour. Who can compete? Only member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: Judging will take place on Tuesday 28th February during tutor time in the LRC.

individual Challenge 8: Sci-Fi Short Film

Are you a budding film-maker? You may want to take part in this challenge. As part of the Congress festivities, there will be a Galactic Film Festival, featuring the work of aspiring young film-makers from across the galaxies. For this challenge you must: • Write a script for an original short film in the Sci-Fi genre; • Create a storyboard of your script to identify how you will shoot

your film; • Cast actors (anyone from your tutor group may act in your film) • Film and edit your movie; • You may want to add additional music and titles to your final

edit. Who can compete? You may have the following roles on this project: director, screenwriter, story boarder, camera person, editor, and composer. Additionally, you may cast other members of your tutor group to act. All participants must be acknowledged in the credits of your film. Submission Due Date: Films can be submitted electronically to a central Google Drive Folder by your tutor until World Book Day on Tuesday 28th February. The films will then be screened that afternoon at 4pm in the LRC.

individual Challenge 9: Star Lord Trivia

Fancy yourself a bit of a whiz at Trivia? Then take part in the greatest quiz show in the galaxy – Star Lord Trivia. The competition will involve contestants competing against one another in rounds. Whoever answers a question correctly advances; get an answer wrong, and you will find yourself out. The last one standing is the winner. To do well at this challenge, you will need to brush up on your knowledge of Sci-Fi cinema, television, literature, and gaming. Who can compete? Only member of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: The competition will take place on Monday 27th February in tutor time.

individual Challenge 10: Librarian’s Challenge – The Great Space Race

Are you able to work under pressure, communicate effectively with your partner, and use creative thinking when needed? Then try this challenge. Each pair will be given a list of clues that describe the characteristics of a planet. Your challenge is to solve the clues to work out the name of the planet, and then locate the different planets, which have been hidden in all corners of the academy. You will have a limited time to follow the clues and locate the planets. You MUST clearly write the name of the planet and its location on the answer sheet provided. The winner will be the team who correctly solves the clues and location of each planet in the quickest time. Who can compete? 1-2 members of your tutor group can compete in this challenge. Submission Due Date: Your sheet must be submitted to Mrs Kennedy in the LRC by the end of the day on the date of the competition, which will be Thursday 23rd February.

Principals’ Challenge: The Rule of Law

Do you care about human rights, British Values, and creating a more tolerant and productive society? Then this challenge is the one for you. More important that any other document in your planet’s library is the original copy of the ‘Declaration of Rights’ created by the founders of modern civilization on your planet. It outlines the rights of all of your citizens. To complete this challenge, you need to create this document. You may want to look to the ‘UN Declaration of Human Rights’ or the ‘United States Bill of Rights’ for inspiration, but this document must be original in its wording. You may also want to consider how the original document would like; would it have been on paper? Also, it would most likely have been written in your planet’s language, perhaps even an older version of the language, so keep that in mind (as well as providing a translation into Earth English). Who can compete? All members of your tutor group can contribute ideas and thoughts regarding this challenge, but only one person can officially compete in this challenge. They should also consider working closely with the individual/team working on the ‘Inter-Galactic Translator’ challenge. Submission Due Date: The judging will take place in the LRC during tutor time on Friday 3rd March.

Headteacher’s Challenge: The Galactic Senate Debate

The most important event at the Inter-Galactic Congress will be a meeting of the Galactic Senate. This event will be held in the LRC, and will provide each planet with the chance to send their Ambassador to attend on their behalf. An alien race has been discovered on the borders of the system, and as they have only recently discovered space travel, they are not as technologically advanced as many planets in the galaxies of Apollo, Jupiter, and Minerva. But much time and resources have been spent in their weapons development, and they border several planets in these galaxies. They also come from a mineral rich planet that has many valuable commodities with which to trade. The Senate must make a decision about how to deal with this new threat or potential ally. High Chancellor Trusler will hear your submissions, and will question ambassadors if needed before making a decision about how to proceed. The question being posed at this event will be: “How can the Wilmington System deal with this alien race and the threat they pose?” Once ambassadors have been selected to attend, additional briefing notes will be provided to them personally (they are of a sensitive political nature and viewers must have clearance). Who can compete? There can only be one ambassador for each planet. Submission Due Date: Ambassadors must come to the Senate Meeting at 4pm on Thursday 2nd March (World Book Day) and be willing to debate for one hour. The gallery will be open for visitors to observe the debate.

inter-galactic Congress: Tutor Group Competitor List

Tutor Group: ____________________ Tutor’s Name: ________________________

Challenge Name and Year Group

Group  Challenge  1:  Create  Your  Planet      

         

Group  Challenge  2:  Create  Your  Apex  Species      

         

Group  Challenge  3:  Origin  Story      

         

Group  Challenge  4:  Modes  of  Transportation      

         

Group  Challenge  5:  Currency  and  Trade  Agreements      

         

Group  Challenge  6:    Emancipation  Proclamation    

         

Group  Challenge  7:  Gods  and  Monsters      

         

Group  Challenge  8:  Inter-­‐Galactic  Translator      

         

Group  Challenge  9:  Musical  Madness        

         

Group  Challenge  10:    Galactic  Sport      

         

Individual  Challenge  1:  Fan  Fiction    

 

Individual  Challenge  2:  Bounty  Hunter    

 

Individual  Challenge  3:  Alien  Artwork    

 

Individual  Challenge  4:  Traditional  Dress    

     

Individual  Challenge  5:  Planetary  Defence  System      

 

Individual  Challenge  6:  Food  that’s  out  of  this  world    

 

Individual  Challenge  7:  The  Way  of  the  Warrior    

 

Individual  Challenge  8:  Sci-­‐Fi  Short  Film      

 

Individual  Challenge  9:  Star  Lord  Trivia    

 

Individual  Challenge  10:  Librarian’s  Challenge  –  The  Great  Space  Race  

 

Principal’s  Challenge:  The  Rule  of  Law    

 

Headteacher’s  Challenge:  The  Galactic  Senate  Debate