Aerodynamics
All four team members construct an aerodynamic device. Score based on the single device which traveled the farthest distance. Accuracy to target is a consideration in final scoring. Must have at least one edge (no spheres- "wads of paper"). Concepts: trajectory, energy, ballistics (study of projectiles), range, lift, drag, gravity. (Maximum points: 10)
|
Gravity
Provided 15 equally sized blocks of wood, students attempted to make the longest possible horizontal structure by balancing them one on top of the other. Each block may not touch more than two additional blocks. Concepts: gravity, unwanted potential energy! (Maximum score: 10)
|
|
|
|
Domino Rally
|
|
 |
|
Potential energy will be converted to kinetic energy and transferred from the
student to each of 35 dominoes in succession. All dominoes must fall into designated
target area. Concepts: Energy transfer, gravity. (Maximum points: 10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Password |
|
|
 |
|
Given 10 science passwords, students give clues to teammates until the Passwords are guessed. Score are based on number of clues required for the teammates to guess each password. Concepts: varies to vocabulary. (Maximum score:10)
|
|
|
|
|
Egg Drop
|
|
 |
|
Students are required to construct a safe container for their eggs from selected materials. The crate is then dropped from 2 meters. Scores for intact eggs are
based on accuracy to target. Concepts: materials engineering. (Maximum points: 10)
|
|
|
|
|
Dot and Dash
|
|
 |
|
Students will be provided Morse Code for the alphabet and flashlights. Students will alternate giving and receiving words. (Maximum points: 12)
|
|
|
|
|
Experimental Design
|
|
 |
|
Each student is given a precut piece of aluminum foil and asked to construct 4 flotation devices. Different vessels have different structural design, dependent on intended use (canoe vs. barge). Each device is filled with washers. Score is based on the total number of washers the team the combined team was able to place in the 4 vessels before sinking. Students must consider the weight of the cargo and its distribution. Concepts: buoyancy, density, Archimedes principals. (Maximum points: 10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floatation |
|
|
 |
|
Each team will design ONE vessel from card stock and tape. The vessel will then be filled with marbles. Cargo which is not stationary creates need for strategy for placement. Concepts: buoyancy, density, Archimedes principals. (Maximum points: 10 points)
|
|
|
|
|
Circuit Wizardry
|
|
 |
|
Provided a battery, battery holder, alligator clips, tin foil, a buzzer and lights, students were asked to work together to get the buzzer and lights to all function simultaneously. Score was based on the number of items working. Concepts: Circuit in Series, parallel circuit, short circuit, voltage, resistance, and conduction. (Maximum points: 10)
|
|
|
|
|
Metric Mastery |
|
 |
|
Students are required to estimate height, distance, volume etc. and use different units of measurement. Estimates for ten items were based on team consensus. Score is assigned based on accuracy of estimate. Concepts: volume (liters, ml), length (cm, mm, m); weight (g). (Maximum score: 10)
|
|
Grab A Gram
Each team member was provided a material (sand, water, cedar shavings or paperclips), given an amount in grams a required to place the material of the assigned weight into the container provided. Score based on accuracy. Concept: unit of the gram.(Maximum score: 10)
|
Orienteering
Students will navigate the numbered asphalt basketball courts. Students will follow a series of directions including distance (meters, mm and cm); degrees (45,90,180); and directional information (North will be labeled, south, east and west will not). (Maximum score: 11 points)
|
Projectile Motion
Each team will be given 12 precut sheets of paper. They will be assigned to a "paper canon". Each piece of paper which land in the target area receives a score. Concept: Density, friction, trajectory, drag. (Maximum score: 24)
|
Reflection Relay
Students are required to use the light from a slide projector; reflect it from three mirrors held by students and project it onto a specified target. Concepts: angle light reflects, diffusion. Time required is a factor in scoring. (Maximum score: 10)
|
Rubber Band Catapult
Each team member is given 3 rubber bands (total of 12 rubber bands per team). Scores were based on accuracy. The points of all four students are totaled. Final score is 10% of that number. Concepts: Force (compression and tension), a energy, trajectory, gravity. (Maximum score: 10)
|
|
Straw Houses
Students were given materials and asked to make a bridge like structure which was suspended between two chairs and could hold a specified weight. Score was based on length . Concepts: Structural engineering, rigidity of forms (squares, rectangles, and triangles). Maximum Score: 11.
|
Structures
Students are provided 50 straws, scissors, paperclips and masking tape. They must construct a structure that is between 12 and 14 inches high and has a top dimension of at least 2" x 2". Score is based on the weight the structure can successfully hold. Concepts: Structural engineering, rigidity of forms (squares, rectangles, and triangles). Maximum Score: 10.
|
Towers
Each team is provided scissors, tape and paper in a specified amount. They will design a free standing tower. The Colina record is 1 meter. Maximum score: 10.
|
|
