Media and Design Competition

• March 26, 2026 Projects Due: Student projects must be uploaded to the official PA Media & Design Competition website.  Projects that are uploaded are automatically registered for the showcase and awards. 

• March 27-30, 2026 Project Verification - Members of the MADCom committee will review all projects to ensure that all components are included and will communicate with the team advisor if anything is missing.

• March 30-April 2, 2026, Virtual Judging Week - During this week, judges will use the rubrics to review projects virtually and include feedback for the project team. 

• April 9, 2026 In-person Showcase and Award Ceremony (9-11:30 am) at CSIU

• 9:00-9:15 AM	Students will arrive and set their project up
  9:15-9:30 AM	Projects will be open for students, advisors, local judges, etc. to view.
  9:30-11:30 AM	Presentations - Students will have 2 mins to present their project. If needed, virtual students can present via ZOOM.
  	Awards Ceremony follows

Specific Regional Rules

• Judges decisions are final.
   
• Entries by district are limited to a maximum of twelve projects in any combination of categories.
   
• Refer to the copyright section on the state website; failure to comply with these copyright rules will result in disqualification of the project at regionals.
   
• It is highly recommended that each school bring a laptop computer that has student projects already loaded, power strips, and speakers. This will prevent configuration and compatibility problems.
   
• All entries must have a designated faculty member or sponsor.  All entries must be registered online by the faculty member or sponsor. (The faculty member or sponsor also must accompany students to the regional and state competitions.  All communication will go through that person.)
   
• There will be no entrance fee charged to either the school district or the student to participate.
   
• Each project must have the project number listed in a visible location for the judges.

FAQs

• If the student(s) do not get permission from the author of work used in their project and document this with their project, will the project by disqualified at regionals? 
  Yes!
   

• What if there is inclement weather the day of the event? 
  Please call our main switchboard (570-523-1155) and listen for important changes in schedules in the event that the CSIU is closed or is on a delayed schedule. If this should happen, we will contact you with alternate arrangements.
   

• What if the school is not in session during the regional event? 
  Please call Colleen Epler-Ruths at the phone number and extension listed below and she will work on alternate arrangements for getting the projects entered into the computer fair.
   

• Do students have to attend to enter their project? 
  Sometimes students who want to submit a project may find that they are unable to attend the regional event. In this case, we can arrange for the submission and judging of the student’s project. Student participation is encouraged but not required.
   

• How do we register for regional and states?
   Use this link to register for the regional event:http://mediadesigncompetition.org/ . Projects that win first place in a category are promoted to the state competition.
   

• How important is the project number?
  When you register your students on http://mediadesigncompetition.org/ you will be assigned a unique number for each project. This number must be displayed on the project summary and will be required if your student takes first place in a category and moves on to states.
   

• If my student(s) win first place, how do I register for states? 
  Student projects that take first place in their category at the regional event will be entered in the state competition by the CSIU.  The project number will identify the project.
   

• Is there any cost to participate in the regional events? 
  There are no registration or participation costs for students or sponsors to attend the regional event.
   

• Can I help with anything ahead of time to make the regional event a grand success? 
  Please make sure that students have completed all paperwork and have the necessary signatures ready to hand in at the start of the regional event. Always ask if you have questions!
   

• Are there any costs for first-place winners to attend states? 
  There are no registration or participation costs for students or sponsors to attend the state event.