DATABASE DESIGN AND APPLICATIONS

 

This event recognizes PBL members who demonstrate that they have acquired entry level skills for understanding database usage and development in business.

 

Participants should be well prepared in the design of multiple table databases (selection of tables, fields, and data types, ER); creation of tables and inserting of data into tables; development of single table SQL statements; development of multiple table SQL statements; and creation of forms/reports.

 

In addition, on the objective test, participants will be tested on their knowledge of data definitions/terminology; query development/SQL; table relationships (include referential integrity); normalization of data; and advanced queries (joins and unions, subqueries).  Participants must complete both parts of the event to be eligible for an award.
 

 

 

ELIGIBILITY
 

Participants must have paid state and national dues postmarked by February 15 of the current school year.

 

Participants must not be or have been enrolled in any graduate program prior to December 1 of the current school year.

 

State:           Each charter may enter six participants.

 

National:    See publication:  Chapter Management Handbook—current edition.

 

REGULATIONS
 

State:           When it has been determined that a student will represent the charter at state competition, the appropriate entry form must be sent to the state adviser postmarked first-class mail by the date specified in the SLC registration packet.

 

National:      See publication:  Chapter Management Handbook—current edition.

 

• Participants must be selected in accordance with the regulations of the state chapter and the national association.

 

• Participants must not have entered this event at a previous National Leadership Conference or placed 1st or 2nd in this event at a previous State Leadership Conference.

 

• Participants failing to report on time may be disqualified.

 

• Participants must furnish their own No. 2 pencils and erasers.  No reference materials, electronic devices, or other items may be used during the written portion of this event. Calculators are not allowed on the production portion of this event.

 

• Participants must adhere to the dress code established by the Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

 

SCHOOL SITE TESTING

One hour will be allowed for the skills test at the school testing site.  Additional time will be allowed for general directions, equipment set up, and warm up.  Problems are weighted according to difficulty and may be completed in any order. 

 

No reference materials or calculators are allowed.

 

The district director (with the approval of the state adviser) will determine the central site location for the test.  The state adviser will provide the district directors with the dates. 

 

JUDGING

 

Objective tests will be machine graded.  This test will be given at the State Leadership Conference and will constitute 15 percent of the final event score.

 

Judging of the skill test will be based on printed copy.  The documents will be evaluated by a panel of judges for this event.  All decisions of the judges are final.  The production portion of this event will constitute 85 percent of the final event score.

 

Ties will be broken based on the scores associated with the production test portion of this event.

 

AWARDS

 

State:          State awards for the top five places are presented at the State Leadership Conference.

 

National:    The number of awards presented at the National Leadership Conference is determined by judges and/or number of entries.  The maximum number will be ten.