Science Olympiad2011 Coaches Clinic

Division B

Justine Cromer, Instructor

Teams construct a device on-site, from materials in their “junk box”, to solve an engineering challenge

Impound event & sign-up for start timeTeam of up to 2 studentsSafety – each student wears protective eye gear

w/sidesGoggles not impounded

Times – Build ≤ 30 minutes/Test ≤ 2 minutesEvent supervisor – measuring device and stop

watch

junk box requirementsAll materials must fit in the box w/a lidWidest outside dimensions = ≤95.0 cm (L+W+H)

EX: 30 + 30 + 32 = 92cmEquivalent to 37.4 inches

Buy or construct from scratchNot used for competition – except as a collection

container at state tournament for Ramp challengeIf box is too big, you will be ranked below teams

with the correct size

materialsAll materials must fix inside the junk box with

lid onMaterials must be unaltered and removed

from original (store) packagingMust meet requirements or be ranked below

other teams who doNo preassembly allowed

materialsPractice golf balls* ≤ 5

PlasticGolf balls* ≤ 8Tennis balls* ≤ 10Plates* ≤ 10.5 inches

Paper or StyrofoamCups* and bowls

Paper or StyrofoamStraws or hollow stir

rodsPaper /soft plastic ≤ 24

cm

Popsicle /craft sticks ~12x1 cm

Toothpicks – wood onlySpools of string, line,

thread or tape (non-metallic)

Paper ≤ 8.5x11 inch/ ≤ 20lbRubber bands ≤ #64 (1/4”)Plastic bags ≤ 1 gallonScissors (only as a tool)

*Must bring at least one

devices – scoring summaryCAT A: REGIONALSBridge – longest

Ties – height to loadTower - tallest

Ties – narrowest base

Cantilever – longestTies – shortest

length to edge of counterbalance

CAT B: STATEElevated ramp -

longestTies - tallest start

pointCatapult – furthest

Ties – shortest device heights

Bounce – furthestTies – smallest

bouncing surface

general rulesCAT A: REGIONALSEvent supervisor

specifies type ball prior to construction

Free-standing cup holds ball

Measurements taken before ball placement

Junk box cannot be used as part of device

CAT B: STATETeams decide which

type of ball(s) and how many to use

2 min to release all balls

Junk box or container for Ramp device only

Plate for Catapult or Bouncer targets

regionals - bridgeFree-standing bridge that supports cup with

ball for at least 5 secondsLongest open span in mm.Ties – height to bottom of load

regionals - towerTallest free-standing tower that supports cup

with ball for at least 5 secondsHighest to bottom of loadTies – narrowest base

regionals - cantileverLongest cantilever laid out from table edge

that supports cup and ball for at least 5 seconds

Measured distance parallel to ground Cannot use box or scissors for

counterbalanceCantilever must

touch tableTies – edge of table

to far side of balance

state – elevated rampBuild a free-standing ramp that transports

balls from a start point to collection container – no flat areas

Longest distance from “closest” successful start point and front edge of container (ramp not touching container)

Bonus pts for each ball in container

Tie – highestsuccessful startpoint

state - catapultFree- standing catapult that launches balls to hit a

target plate (on first impact)Requires a trigger – cannot touch ball once on

deviceFurthest distance from closest edge of catapult to

front plate - bonus pts for each ball to hit the plateBonus pts for

each ball to hit plate

Ties – shortestheight to catapult

state - bounceFree-standing bouncer that bounces balls to

hit a target plate (on first impact)Student drops balls onto bouncerFurthest distance from closest edge of

bouncer to front plateBonus pts for each ball

to hit the plateTies – tallest height

to center point of bouncing surface

bonus points – state onlySignificant advantage for successful hitsD x (n + 1)D = measured distancen = number of successful hitsEX – 2 balls hit = 20 x (2+1) = 60 ptsEX – 5 balls hit = 20 x (5+1) = 120 pts

Teams release the ballsChoose plastic golf (≤5), standard golf (≤8)

or tennis balls (≤10)

violationsViolations will rank teams below all others

w/out violations Includes…pre-assembly, incorrect use of

materials or tools, missing required material, not free-standing, does not meet minimum requirements, or not impounding on time

Also includes outside help once competition begins

Read carefully rules about moving targets and devices after competition begins, i.e. in between shots

ContactResources: www.soinc.org Score sheet – coming soon

Justine Cromerjustcromer@gmail.com

Head Coach – Kilmer Middle School4th year in Science Olympiad

??QUESTIONS??