PBworks



3, 2, 1, Blast Off!DESCRIPTION: Teams will design, construct, and launch water rockets to stay aloft the greatest amount of time.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3-5 Science: GeneralTEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 10 min.TEAMS: Must bring rockets and safety glasses.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide water rocket launcher, water, score sheets.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must wear safety glasses throughout event.IMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:Teams will build and bring up to two rockets to the tournament. Rockets must be made out of a 1-liter or smaller plastic carbonated beverage bottles with an approximately 2.2 cm (internal diameter) nozzle (1/2 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe should just fit inside the nozzle opening). Only ONE 1-liter or smaller plastic carbonated beverage bottle will be used as the pressure vessel for each rocket. Labels can be removed from the bottle but labels must be presented at the safety inspection. The structural integrity of the pressure vessel (carbonated beverage bottle) cannot be altered. Examples of altering structural integrity include but are not limited to physical, thermal or chemical damage (e.g. cutting, sanding, using hot glues, or super glues). Adhesive may be used to attach fins and other components but must be limited to glue such as silicone adhesive, polyurethane based adhesives and others that do not damage the structural integrity of the pressure vessel (this can be assessed by looking into the bottle through the nozzle for discoloration, bubbles, or thinning of the walls of the bottle). Each rocket will undergo a safety check and the judges have the right to disqualify any rocket that is deemed unsafe. The safety inspection will examine the unaltered structural integrity of the pressure vessel. The rocket may not use an exposed surface that is a hard pointed component or a rigid spike. No metal parts can be used.51009556480175No commercial model rocket parts may be used. All rockets will be launched using the launcher provided by the supervisor. To insure rockets will fit on the launcher, fins and other parts added to the bottle must be 2 cm above the level of the flange on the bottle’s neck. All energy imparted to the rocket must originate from the water/air pressure combination (both provided by the event supervisor). No other potential or kinetic source of energy will be permitted. No explosives, electric, elastic powered flight, throwing, remote controls, or pyrotechnics may be used.Any free-fall recovery system is allowed; however, the recovery system must be judged as safe.Teams should arrive at the competition site ready to launch. Teams must bring and wear safety glasses for the loading, launching, and retrieving their rockets. Following the safety inspection of each rocket, teams will add water in each rocket. When called to launch, the teams will have a total of 10 minutes to launch 1 or 2 rockets brought to the competition (only 1 launch per rocket). Only rocket(s) launched before the time expires will be scored. All rockets will be launched at 60 psi. Once the rocket is pressurized, no contestant may touch or approach the rocket. Timing of the rocket stops when any part of the rocket touches the ground or comes to rest on a tree, building, or other obstruction. SCORING: The scoring of each rocket will be determined by time aloft.All rocket launch times will be recorded to the nearest hundredth of a second. Preferably three timers should be used and the middle recorded time will be used for scoring. The timing will be stopped when any part of the rockets touches the ground or comes to rest on a tree, building, or other obstruction. If the rocket goes out of sight, timing should stop when rocket is no longer in sight. Rockets whose parts (e.g. fins) do not remain linked while aloft will not be disqualified or ranked below those that remain intact; however, time is stopped when any part of the rocket touches the ground or comes to rest on a tree, building, or other obstruction. Rockets that violate a construction rule related to safety will not be launched and receive only participation points (this includes competitors not wearing safety glasses). A 3 second deduction will be taken for each construction violation not related to safety.In cases of ties, the first tie breaker will be the longer time aloft of the shorter flight, the second tie breaker will be the longest length of the rocket (as it will be on the launcher) of the longer flight. EVENT RESOURCES: Body SystemsDESCRIPTION: Teams will demonstrate knowledge of the skeletal, digestive, and respiratory systems.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3-4: Goal 4; Grade 5 Health: Goal 1TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring a pencil.EVENT LEADERS: May provide models, slides, and pictures.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: NoneIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics:Structure and function of the skeletal systemStructure and function of the digestive systemStructure and function of the respiratory system SCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES: – Food and Nutrition, Human BodyCan You Weather the Weather?DESCRIPTION: This event will test the team’s knowledge of conducting investigations and using appropriate technology to build an understanding of weather and climate.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grade 5 Science: Goal 3TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring pencils.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide the test and weather instruments. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: NoneIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Water cycle (processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and run-off)Weather instrumentsTypes of clouds and their relationships to weather conditionsWeather maps to identify weather conditionsWorld climate zonesPrevailing and local windsSCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES: AIMSScience Court “Water Cycle”Data DetectiveDESCRIPTION: Teams will analyze and create graphs based on given data. NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grade 4 Math: Goal 4TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring pencils and non-programmable calculators.EVENT LEADERS: May provide graph paper, answer sheets, scenario questions, various graphs and questions.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: NoneIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Bar, pie (or circle), line, and picto- graphsData TablesCoordinate gridsStem and leaf plotsLine plotsTally chartsMean, Median, Mode, Range, IntervalSCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES: Describe It, Build ItDESCRIPTION: Technical writing skills are an important part of an engineer’s or a scientist’s abilities to communicate precisely and clearly. This event will test a team’s ability to effectively communicate by having one team member write a description of how to build a device and having his or her partner construct the device from raw materials.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: AllTEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Will need to bring a pencil.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide paper and all materials needed for this event. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None.IMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event should occur in multiple rooms so that the doers can be held while the writers are writing and vice-versa.One partner of a team (the writer) is shown an object (which may be abstract) built from, but not limited to, such items as science materials, inexpensive materials (e.g., straw, push pins, Styrofoam balls, paper cups, Popsicle sticks, etc.) or commercial sets (e.g., Googoplex, K’nex, Tinker Toys, Lego, Lincoln Logs, etc.). The writer has twenty-five (25) minutes to write a description of the object and how to build it. There will be no advantage to finishing early. Only words and numerals may be used. Symbols, drawings and diagrams are not allowed, with the exception of common punctuation and editing symbols. Printable punctuation marks/editing symbols that can be produced on a PC standard 101 key keyboard by pressing a single key or a single key in combination with the shift key may be used. These must be used in their normal context and not as symbols to form a key/code. All abbreviations (not symbols) must be defined either at the beginning or when the abbreviation is first used. No prepared abbreviations on labels will be permitted. The event leader will pass the description to the remaining team member (the doer) who will take the description and attempt to recreate (build) the original object in twenty (20) minutes.Supervisors will attempt to use different materials than the materials that were used last year.SCORING:The team that builds the object nearest to the original and has properly written instructions is declared the winner. Any improper use of symbols or codes (including use of words or letters as codes) will result in the team being assessed a 5% penalty for each different type of infraction. A point will be given for each piece of material placed in the proper connection and location compared to the model. Pieces that are connected correctly beyond the incorrect connection will be counted in the score. No penalty will be assessed for parts that were not used. Time for the construction phase will be used as a tiebreaker. EVENT RESOURCES:Interdependence DayDESCRIPTION: This event is designed to determine a team’s knowledge and awareness of the interdependence of plants and animals.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grade 5 Science: Goal 1TEAM OF UP TO: 3MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring safety goggles and pencils.EVENT LEADERS:May provide pH strips, calculators, metric rulers, soil and water samples, photos of plants and animals (extinct, endangered, and threatened), ecosystem photos, and resource identification items.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Safety gogglesIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Soil AnalysisExtinct, endangered, and/or threatened species identificationpH of water, rain, and soil samplesFreshwater, saltwater, and land ecosystemsCompost versus chemical fertilizersBiomesPlant and animal adaptations Nonrenewable versus renewable resourcesNatural and human causes for habitat reductionSCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES:AIMSFOSS EnvironmentScience Court “Soil”GLOBEMystery EngineeringDESCRIPTION: This event will test a team’s ability to design and build a mystery device using mystery materials. NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3-5 Science: GeneralTEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must provide nothing.EVENT LEADERS: Must provide all materials needed for event.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: NoneIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event should occur in a large room or in multiple rooms at the same time. As much as possible, teams should be given the same type of area to build (e.g. space on the floor, flat desktop).Each team will be given a bag containing the exact same type and number of “mystery” materials. Examples of materials are: paper cups, drinking straws, paper clips, string, tape, paper, thumbtacks, and popsicle sticks. Materials are not limited to this list. The actual materials provided may be entirely different. Only those materials contained in the bag may be used to build the structure. The bag may not be used. The instructions will identify a “mystery” device to build. Examples of devices are: the tallest tower to hold a baseball at the top; the longest bridge to hold a small milk carton full of sand in the center; the longest cantilever to hold a chalkboard eraser at the end; or the shortest boat/barge to float holding a baseball without sinking. Devices are not limited to these examples. The students will not know the assignment until they begin the competition. If the device must support a load, a separate load of the same size and weight as used for testing will be provided to each team so they can incorporate it into their building plans or test it while building. Judges may use one “official” load for testing all devices. When finished building, students must remove the load from their device until immediately prior to the testing by the judges. The team of students will have a maximum of 40 minutes to construct the specified device.Unless specifically stated in the instructions, devices must be freestanding and may not be attached to a tabletop, floor, ceiling or other support.SCORING:Devices will be judged according to the guidelines set forth by the event leader. The dimensions specified in the building instructions will be measured and recorded as accurately as possible by the event leader. Devices that are required to accomplish a task (e.g. support a load for so many seconds) will placed in one of two groups depending on whether or not they accomplish the task. Devices that accomplish the task will be ranked higher than all devices that do not.EVENT RESOURCES: PASTA TOWERDESCRIPTION: The objective of this event is to design and build the lightest pasta tower, with the highest structural efficiency, capable of supporting a load of up to 15 kg. Each team may bring and enter only one tower.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3-5 Science: GeneralTEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 10 min.TEAMS: Must bring towers and safety glasses.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide all equipment, except for eye protection, needed for testing and score sheets. The equipment needed is as follows:A testing platform with a flat surface with a 10.0 cm x 10.0 cm square opening in its center. A square loading block, 5.0 cm long x 5.0 cm wide x 2.0 cm thick, at its top with a hole drilled in the center of the square face. A ?” eyebolt (with wing nut and washer) which will be connected to the loading block and rod/chain. The loading block, eyebolt, rod/chain assembly is set onto the tower during testing and used to suspend the bucket and sand from the tower (all provided by event leader). Event leaders must verify that the combined mass of the loading block, attaching hardware, bucket and sand provided is at least 15 kg prior to loading each tower.An electronic balance or scale that can mass up to 20 kg and one that can mass a bridge up to 400 grams at .1g.A plastic tarp to protect floor from sand.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must wear safety glasses throughout event.IMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:The tower is to be a single structure, constructed of only pasta and hot glue. No other materials shall be used.All construction must be completed prior to the tournament.The tower must support a square loading block, 5.0 cm long x 5.0 cm wide x 2.0 cm thick, at its top. All parts of the loading block must be a minimum of 20.0 cm above the testing platform before the load is applied. There is no maximum height.The loading block must be supported so that the loading rod/chain, suspended from its center, is within 2.5 cm of the center of the opening in the testing platform. Towers should be constructed to insure the loading rod/chain does not contact the tower at any point.No portion of the tower may extend below the top surface of the testing platform.Once teams enter the event area to compete, they may not leave the area or receive outside assistance, materials or communication until they are finished competing. Only contestants and judges will be allowed in the event area while teams are competing. Teams violating this rule will be disqualified.All towers will be assessed prior to testing to determine if they meet the specifications.The students will place the tower on the testing platform so that the loading rod/chain will pass within 2.5 cm of the center of the opening in the test platform.The students will place the loading block on top of the tower.Students will use the rod/chain to suspend a 5-gallon bucket, approximately 30 cm in diameter, below the testing platform.The team will be given 10 minutes to load sand into the bucket. Loading must stop when failure of the tower occurs, when the loading rod/chain comes into contact with the tower, when the maximum load of 15 kg is supported or when the time expires. Failure is defined as the inability of the tower to support additional load. The judges will remove sand added after any of these conditions occur. The Load Supported at that time will be used to calculate the Structural Efficiency.The mass of the loading block, eyebolt, washer, wing nut, bucket, and sand are included in the Load Supported.SCORING:The Score will be determined by the Structural Efficiency equation:Structural Efficiency = Load Supported (grams) / Mass of Tower (grams)Towers that hold more than 15 kg will be scored using 15 kg as the Load Supported.Towers will be scored in 3 tiers.Towers that meet all specifications will be ranked, by their structural efficiency, in the first tier.Towers that DO NOT meet one or more of the specifications will be ranked, by their structural efficiency, in the second tier.Towers that cannot be tested for any reason (e.g. cannot accommodate the loading block or team does not have proper eye protection) will be ranked in the last tier by the tower’s lighter mass.Ties will be broken in favor of the team with the lighter tower. Rivers, Mountains, Deltas…Oh My!DESCRIPTION: This event is designed to determine a team’s knowledge of landform characteristics.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: 5th Grade Science: Goal 2TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring safety goggles and pencils.EVENT LEADERS:May provide stream tables, stream table features (e.g., houses, levees, dams), soil, water, and labels.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Safety gogglesIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Topographic maps and aerial photographsErosion, deposition, and weatheringLandforms“Real Life” Stream Table Situations SCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES:Foss Student Books (Landforms)terraserver-Rock StarDESCRIPTION: Teams will identify rocks and minerals based on physical properties and uses.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grade 4 Science: Goal 2TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring pencils and safety glasses.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide streak plates, answer sheet, Moh’s scale, penny, butter knife, unprepared glass microscope slide, and North Carolina Rocks and Minerals.*SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must have and wear safety glasses. Following the handling of rocks and minerals, students must wash their hands.IMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Identifying North Carolina Rocks and Minerals* Classification by propertiesAreas of originUses and ImportanceSCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES: * North Carolina Rocks and Minerals: Marble, Dunite/Olivine, Alaskite, Spodumene / Pegmatite, Gneiss, Slate, Pyrophyllite, Sandstone, Diabase, Granite, Limestone, Phosphate/Fossils, Kaolin, Mica/ Muscovite, Quartz, Mica/Biotite, Feldspar, Pyrite, Coal. Geological Map of North CarolinaNorth Carolina Rock and Mineral Kit PasswordDESCRIPTION: Team members will take turns giving and receiving verbal clues to scientific terms or concepts from across all 3-5th grade science objectives.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3 – 5 Science GoalsTEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 4 min. per teamTEAMS: Must provide nothing.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide stopwatch, 40 words written on index cards, and score sheets.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: NoneIMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:Teams will compete individually back to back and will have 4 minutes to complete 40 terms. All teams will receive the same terms in the same order. The terms will consist of one or two words and will not include proper nouns or names.The two team members will alternate giving and receiving clues.The team member giving clues will be shown one term by the judges. Timing begins when the judge shows the 1st team member the 1st term and ends when the team has correctly identified or passed the last term or when the 4-minute time period has expired.Clues may consist of one or two words only and may not contain any part or form of the term. Proper nouns and proper names may be used as clues however: letters, acronyms, etc. may not be used. A hyphenated word is considered one word. Participants may not give visual clues with their hands or bodies.Another clue may not be given until the responder has given a response. The responder may give multiple responses to a clue.Forms of the term will not be accepted with the exception of plurals and singulars, which will be accepted interchangeably. If a team violates any of the rules regarding the use of verbal or visual communication, the term in play at the time of the violation will be counted as a pass.Either team member may choose to pass on a term. Once the team passes on a term they may not return to it.When the team has correctly identified or passed on the term, the judge will show the next term to the team member who will give the clues for that term.SCORING:One point will be awarded for each term correctly identified within the allotted time. The team correctly identifying the most terms will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker is the fewest terms passed. Second tiebreaker will be the team with the longest string of consecutively correct words. Third tiebreaker would be those teams who identify the first word in the list passed by the other team. The final tiebreaker is the shortest period of time.EVENT RESOURCES/SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:Science terms may be found in the NCSCoS, curriculum guides, and the index or glossary of science dictionaries or textbooks. Care should be taken to ensure that selected terms should represent a cross sampling of science disciplines at appropriate levels.Short CircuitsDESCRIPTION: Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of circuits. NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grade 4 Science: Goal 3TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring pencils.EVENT LEADERS: May provide circuit boards, light bulbs, wires, D-cell battery, switches, schematic maps, blank paper, wire strippers.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: No A/C power used.IMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Series and Parallel Circuits Schematic maps Conductors and nonconductorsParts of a light bulbSCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES: AIMS Castle - Pascosi.edu/Harcourt/scienceScience Court “Electric Current”Sky QuestDESCRIPTION: This event will test a team’s knowledge of the solar system.NCSCoS ALIGNMENT: Grade 3 Science: Goal 3TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring pencils.EVENT LEADERS: May provide reference charts, posters, and models for event. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None.IMPOUND: NoTHE COMPETITION:This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics: Identification of: Sun, planets, major constellations*, stars*, and star clusters*.Understanding of satellites, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.Earth’s seasons, tides, lunar and solar eclipses.Phases of the moon.SCORING:Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader prior to competition.EVENT RESOURCES: *Major Constellations: Aquila, Bootes, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus, Draco, Gemini, Leo, Lyra, Orion, Pegasus, Scorpio, Taurus, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Virgo*Major Stars and Star Clusters: Altair, Arcturus, Sirius, Procyon, Denelo, Castor, Pollux, Regulus, Verga, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Antares, Aldebaran, Pleiades, Hyades, Merak, Dubhe, Polaris, Spica.Astronomy for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work. By Janice Van CleavesAIMSexploratorium.edu/exploring/space/activity.htmlSoda Pop TerrariumDESCRIPTION: Teams will plant a two liter soda/pop bottle terrarium and keep a record of the types of plants, cost of materials and growing conditions.STANDARDS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3 Science: Goal 1; Grade 5 Science: Goal 1TEAM OF UP TO: 2MAXIMUM TIME: 50 min.TEAMS: Must bring terrariums and report to event on day of tournament.EVENT LEADERS: Should provide rubric to assess event.SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: NoneIMPOUND: YesTHE COMPETITION:The terrarium may not be started until two months prior to the competition date. The contestant’s teacher must verify the start date.The students must keep a record of the type of plants used, where they were obtained, cost, growing conditions (including lighting, watering, fertilizer, temperature). A desert terrarium is also suitable. The report must be handwritten by the student.SCORING:50% of the score is for the condition and appearance of the terrarium.50% of the score is for the written report.EVENT RESOURCES: SAMPLE STUDENT REPORT:Name_____________________Date of Planting_______________Teacher’s signature_______________ DateHow much water usedTemperature of soilHours of sunlightFertilizer: how much ObservationsHelpful hints for coaches using bottles with removable plastic bottoms:Hold the dark plastic bottom of the soda bottle under hot (steamy) water from a faucet; after a few seconds, twist and pull the bottom off. (The hot water softens the wax that holds the bottom on.)Use a felt pen, draw a circle just below the shoulder of the bottle; a straight line can be drawn by rolling the bottle in a drawer, using the side of the drawer to steady the pen. Cut along this line and discard the top (or cut) portion.Seal the holes in the black plastic bottom with duct tape. This bottom will be the dish for the terrarium. Layer the dish with small rocks and fill it with soil: dark, rich soil from a wooded area will work nice. Moisten the soil and add plants that will grow no taller than the height of the terrarium.It is very important that young students be successful with getting plants started in their terrarium. It is helpful to have rooted cuttings from various types of indoor plants on hand; these are more likely to survive than plants taken from the wild. Plants found on the school ground may be used also; low growing vegetation with shallow roots – such as ivy, buttercups and clover – may make good choices considering the size of the bottle. Moss can be placed among the plants to help the soil retain its moisture and to make the terrarium more attractive.Invert the bottle so that the open end fits into the dish; this will serve as the top of the terrarium. Keep the terrarium away from direct sunlight. It is normal for moisture to appear on the sides of the terrarium; water can be added if needed by carefully removing the top.Harcourt Science Text Book 3rd and 5th grade: Units A and B – EnvironmentsAIMSTime MachineDESCRIPTION: Prior to the competition teams will design, build, test and document a Rube Goldberg?-like machine that incorporates simple machines connected in series to complete a required task in a specified period of time.STANDARDS ALIGNMENT: Grades 3-5 Science: General; Grade 5 Science: Goal 4TEAM OF UP TO: 3MAXIMUM TIME: Set-up: 30 min, Operation Time see Section 9TEAMS: Must bring machine, safety glasses, and all tools needed to set up and operate machine.EVENT LEADERS: Will provide meter sticks, clipboards, stopwatches, and score sheets. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Event leaders will inspect machines for potential safety hazards that may be cause for disqualification as determined by the event supervisor. Uncontrolled projectiles and dangerous objects are not permitted (e.g., unshielded razor blades, rat traps). Participants who do not properly wear safety glasses during setup and operation will not be allowed to compete.IMPOUND: YesTHE COMPETITION:All parts of the Time Machine must fit within an imaginary box (80 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm in any orientation) before, during, and after the device’s operation with the exception of the humanoid figure and its base at task completion. The top of the machine is defined to be the horizontal plane that intersects the highest point on the machine. The Time Machine may contain up to sixteen (16) numbered simple machines. Simple machines of the same type used in series will be counted as one machine (e.g., 3 Pulleys in a row only count as 1 Pulley). The Time Machine must use a minimum of four (4) unique simple machines.ALL simple machines must operate sequentially such that the output of one simple machine activates the next simple machine and contributes toward task completion – there can be no “dead ends”.Simple machines may be used to activate stored energy machines, which may then be used to operate other sequential simple machines. Stored energy sources (they may or may not be simple machines themselves) may be used as interfaces between the simple machines. For example, the output work of one machine causes stored energy to be released that provides the work input to the next machine. Batteries, voltage sources, electric motors or electronics may not be used for any reason or purpose. Each machine to be scored must have a clearly visible and legible number on it indicating its correct sequence in the operation of the Machine. The number on the machine within the Machine must correspond to the number on the Simple Machine List. Energy storage units (e.g., springs, mouse traps) may be activated prior to starting the Machine (except for task completion).START TASK: The first numbered machine must be a Wheel & Axle. At the judge's prompt, a team member will provide and pour a container of marbles (any size, material, or number) into the Time Machine to activate a paddlewheel which functions as a Wheel & Axle. The paddlewheel may have any number of “paddles” (e.g., Popsicle sticks, plastic spoons). All “paddles” must be the same color except for one, which will be used to determine whether the paddlewheel rotates at least 360 PLETION TASK: The required completion task is to use an inclined plane to raise a 10 to 50 cm tall humanoid figure (such as a figurine, doll or action figure) up out of the device such that the entire humanoid figure (and possibly some of the base upon which it is mounted is entirely above the device and then stops moving. Note that the entire humanoid figure must be contained within the device prior to operation and then must be completely above the device at task completion. Time stops when the humanoid figure stops moving. Times will be recorded to the tenth of a second, but rounded to the nearest second for determining scores. Task Completion points will not be awarded if ANY requirements in this paragraph are not met.SIMPLE MACHINE LIST:The simple machine list must be submitted at impound. Each line of this list will detail one simple machine in the sequence in which it occurs during operation of the Device. The simple machine list must be an accurate indication of the Device’s operation.The list must use the exact format below, including the total points (actions/sequence used may differ, THIS IS ONLY A SAMPLE):No.ActionSimple Machine TypePoints1st or 2nd Use Pts.Total Points1Marbles activate paddlewheelWheel & Axle1020302Paddlewheel activates lever and stringClass 2 Lever1020303String through a series of pulleys lowers weightPulleys1020304Weight activates a series of levers & stringClass 2 Levers1010205String attached to pulley raises weightPulley101020Weight activates lever & stringClass 2 Lever6String attached to pulley lowers weightPulley10107Weight pulls humanoid figure up inclined planeInclined Plane102030Humanoid figure is above plane of device and stopsTask Complete100100Set-up in less than 30 minutes3030Met all requirements200200Total points expected to be earned430100530The simple machine list should be legible, well organized and neatly done. The machine number and the points expected to be earned for each machine and task must be shown on the list. Only points documented on the simple machine list will be awarded. If the Device includes extra simple machines that do not count for points, then they must be documented in the list, but they shall not be numbered. The list must be accurate to earn the “requirements satisfaction” points detailed in the scoring section (Section 10).OPERATING TIME: Teams should design their Time Machines to operate at the optimum operating time of 60 seconds. The maximum operating time is 120 seconds. The judges will start their stopwatches when the first marble enters the Device. Time stops when the last action listed on the simple machines list has either been completed or fails to operate or when the maximum operating time is reached (120 seconds).Use of a remote timer will result in disqualification.If the Device is running when the maximum operating time is reached, the points earned up to that point determine the score. No completion points can be awarded in this case. Once the Device has been started, penalty points will be deducted each time a team member touches the Device.If the Device stops, jams or fails, the team will be allowed to “adjust” the Device to continue operation, but penalty points will be deducted. Timing does not stop.For the last step prior to Task Completion or for Task Completion, the team will not be allowed to complete the task themselves or make an adjustment that leads directly to task completion in the very next action. Any obvious stalling during “adjustments” to gain a time advantage can result in disqualification. SCORING: Up to 850 points may be earned based on the following criteria:30 points for taking no more than 30 minutes to setup.10 points for each successful operation of a machine, which includes activating the next machine of a different type in sequence or in the case of the last machine, activating the completion task. Prior to operation a team member may be asked to verbally explain how each numbered simple machine satisfies the appropriate definition in Section 11: Event Resources to earn points for that machine. 160 pt. max20 points for the first time each of the 8 machine types listed is successfully used. 160 pt. max10 points for the second time a listed machine type is successfully used. 80 pt. max Zero points are awarded for “extra” unnumbered machines. These machines might resemble valid machines, but do not satisfy the definitions in section 3 or they might simply be required for other components to function correctly. All “extra” machines must be documented in the SML for it to be considered an accurate list, but verbal explanations will not be required.100 points for successful task completion within the maximum operating time (120 seconds).20 points each for satisfying the following 10 requirements: Wearing goggles properly without prompting from the judges; having valid Device dimensions; no batteries or electricity; using the required starting task; using only sequential simple machines; using the correct Simple Machine List format; having an accurate List; submitting the List at impound; limiting numbered simple machines to 16; and ending the Device with required completion task. 200 pt. max2 points for each second or part of a second up to 60 seconds that the Device operates. These points will be awarded regardless of whether the completion task is accomplished.120 pt. Max.Points may be deducted based on the following criteria:1 point for each second the Device operates over 60 seconds, up to 120 second limit. Maximum 60 point deduction50 points, one time, for any object (solid or liquid) that leaves the boundary of the Device (exempting the humanoid figure and base)19 points for each time the Device is touched, adjusted, or restartedTies will be broken by: 1. Fewest penalty points; 2. Best operating time; and 3. Greatest variety of design.EVENT RESOURCES: A Simple Machine is a device that multiplies, divides or changes the direction of an applied force for the purpose of moving a load. The 8 types of simple machines listed below may earn points. Each of the 3 classes of levers is considered a different type of machine for scoring in this event.Note: A lever is a rigid bar that pivots to exert a force. All levers must have an identifiable fulcrum, load and effort. The load and the effort cannot be one and the same.Class 1 Lever – the fulcrum is between the load and the effort.Class 2 Lever – the load is between the fulcrum and the effort.Class 3 Lever – the effort is between the fulcrum and the load.Inclined Plane – a slope that reduces the effort required to move a load. To earn points the load must be moved upward along a slope at least 10 cm and must not descend back down the slope.Wedge – a wedge-shaped moving object that is driven under a load to lift it or into a load to split or separate it. To earn points, the load must be lifted up or separated a distance of at least 1 cm.Screw – a rotating spiral-shaped inclined plane. To earn points the screw must rotate at least 360 degrees and the load must be moved at least 1 cm in a linear direction. Wheel & Axle – a rotating device that exerts a rotational force at its center (axle) when its outer part (wheel) is turned or vice versa. If the input force is applied to the axle then the output force must come from the wheel or vice versa. A set of gears connected by teeth and a set of wheels connected by a continuous drive belt are each considered a valid Wheel & Axle. To earn points both the wheel and axle must rotate at least 360 degrees. A wheel used simply to reduce friction is not a Wheel & Axle, so a rolling car earns no points.Pulley – a wheel or set of wheels around which a single length (not a continuous loop) of rope or string passes to move a load. The direction of force must be changed by at least 90 degrees to earn points. ................
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