Meme-based crossword challenge: decode 8–10 familiar memes, fill the crossword, and use highlighted letters to reveal a hidden technical/ECE-related term. Duration: 10–15 minutes per team.

• Each team consists of 2–3 participants.
• Each team receives one MEMEWORD crossword containing 8–10 meme-based clues.
• Every clue is represented through a meme rather than a written definition. Clues may cover movies, music, sports, college life, internet culture, everyday situations, popular trends, and simple technology.
• Teams decode each meme and enter the corresponding answer into the crossword. Crossword intersections may be used to verify answers.
• Several crossword boxes are highlighted. The letters in these boxes combine to reveal a hidden technical/ECE-related word or phrase; the instructions will specify whether the letters must be rearranged.
• Teams must submit the completed crossword and the final technical answer before time expires.
• No phones, internet searches, or external assistance are permitted unless explicitly allowed by the organizers.
• Correctness is the primary criterion. If teams have the same score, shorter completion time is used as the tie-breaker.
• The Top 8 teams based on Round 1 scores advance to Round 2.

Higher Round 1 score. If tied, faster completion time. If still required, an organizer-controlled tie-breaker may be conducted.

Rapid 1-vs-1 technical debate with stance flips and meme wildcards. Approximately 20 seconds per argument segment; the Grand Final reduces the interval to 15 seconds.

• The Top 8 teams compete in a 1-vs-1 knockout bracket: quarter-finals, semi-finals, and grand final.
• A technical motion is displayed. One team begins FOR and the other AGAINST.
• Each team gets approximately 20 seconds to present an argument, followed by a Frequency Chime.
• At every Frequency Chime, both teams must immediately reverse their stance: FOR → AGAINST and AGAINST → FOR.
• A pre-selected Meme Wildcard appears with the frequency shift. The current speaker must meaningfully incorporate the displayed meme into the new technical argument; simply naming the meme does not count.
• At every frequency transition, the current speaker must hand the microphone to a different team member. No participant may speak for two consecutive segments.
• Arguments must remain technically relevant, professional, and non-offensive. Deliberate stalling or refusal to switch may be penalized.
• In the Grand Final, the frequency interval is reduced from 20 seconds to 15 seconds and the motion requires deeper reasoning.
• Judging criteria: Technical Argument, Adaptability, Meme Integration, Humour & Creativity, and Delivery & Confidence.

If two teams receive the same score, judges conduct a Rapid Tech Challenge. 30 seconds preparation followed by 30 seconds response to a surprise technical situation. Judges evaluate technical reasoning, creativity, speed, and communication.