More than 530 students made sure the 2018 DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Technology Fair was an occasion to remember, celebrate and build upon.

Themed as “Geniuses Dream 2,” the 2018 Tech Fair featured a record number of registered students competing in 14 highly contested categories. Throughout the Fall 2017 semester, third- through 12^th grade students have been producing projects involving robotics, video production, device modification, mobile apps, graphic design, photography and more.

Projects were graded on documentation, functionality, creativity and intended purpose.

When students weren’t competing, they had the chance to enjoy Techpolooza, a common area spotlighting the latest educational technology and games. Students could also grab props for pictures with family members, teachers and staff.

For Warren Tech student Matthew Prince, the 2018 Tech Fair provided an opportunity to showcase his knack for effectively communicating. His project, titled “The World of Color,” included a Prezi presentation on how to communicate through color.

“It’s my first time doing this, so I’m a little nervous—but I’m going to shake it off,” Prince said. “I put a lot of effort into it, so I’m going to try my best. [All competitors] all different and we think differently.”

Prince’s project earned second place in the multimedia category.

Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology student Chloe Pickett, who participated in the device modification portion of the fair, glitzed and glamorized a tablet computer into a model for a desktop.

“I wanted to show my creativity,” Pickett said. “I feel inspired by my art.”

Pickett said more young people would be attracted to technology if it had the right flair and decoration.

Tech Fair volunteer Viola White, who works as a technical consultant, judged game design. She said students often have different levels of understanding, making it important to notice artistic flair and outside-the-box thinking.

“Some [projects] are more complex, and some students are doing their own coding,” White said. “It’s complex to judge because you’re judging them based on their understanding and what they’ve accomplished, but it’s still not apples to apples. Some of them are more advanced than others.”

Dunwoody Elementary claimed the most first-place finishes, with students advancing to the state competition in eight categories. Barack H. Obama Magnet School of Technology earned the most placings, with 25 first, second or third place finishes. The schools were closely trailed by Oakcliff Elementary and Browns Mill Elementary.

Chamblee Middle earned the most first place finishes for middle school, trailed closely by McNair Middle, Henderson Middle, DeKalb School of the Arts and Peachtree Charter Middle.

Chamblee Charter High School claimed the most first place finishes for high schools, being closely trailed by DeKalb Early College Academy and DeKalb Tech.

“The competition was fierce and [students] were excellent,” said Monika Davis, director of virtual learning at DCSD’s Information Technology Division.

First-place winners will represent DCSD at the Georgia Student Technology Competition on March 10 at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia. Information on the state competition can be found at www.gastc.org.

Click here to view pictures from the Technology Fair.