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www.minnesotaso.org
2015 Coaches Manual
Division A
Grades 3-6
Tournament
Tournament Director
April 18, 2015
Highview Middle School
Michael Huberty
[email protected]
Competition Rules Overview
Elementary Level (Division A)
Team Structure
1. A team may include up to 20 total students however teams may be composed of less students.
2. Students in grades 3-6 are eligible to participate in Division A. A team may be mixed with some students
from each grade level, or they may be based on grade level with students all coming from the same grade
level.
3. Schools may field multiple teams at the competition. In that case each team should be given a different
designation as a way of differentiating between the multiple teams.
Spirit of Competition
1. All teams are expected to participate in the competition in a positive manner.
2. Disrupting the competition in any way by student competitors will not be tolerated.
3. Students who belittle or make fun of the work of other students will be disqualified from the competition
as determined by the judges.
4. Any team caught cheating or interfering with the work of another team during an event will be
disqualified from that event.
Events and Scoring
1. There will be a total of 17 events offered on the day of competition.
2. For each event teams will be ranked and scored according to the criteria set forth in the rules. A team
that earns first place in an event will earn 1 point for that event. The team that earns 2nd place will earn 2
points for the event. The team that earns 3rd place will earn 3 points for the event and so on and so forth.
3. If a team does not enter an event they will earn a point value equal to the number of teams that
participated + 1. For example if there are a total of 10 teams that participate in the Science Olympiad
tournament, a team that does not participate in an event will earn 11 points, 10 plus 1 beyond the last
place offered.
4. If a team enters an event but is otherwise disqualified from the event will earn 2 point beyond the last
place offered. So in the example above the team would earn 12 points.
5. The points earned for each event will be added up and the team with the lowest overall score wins.
6. The teams with the lowest overall score will be awarded team trophies. The teams earning the top places
in each event will also earn medals and ribbons.
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Setting up the Team
1. A team may only enter each regular event once. This means that only one pair of students may compete
in that event. For example only one pair of students may represent Elementary School A in the Fossil
Frenzy event.
2. Teams may only enter an event at the appropriate time in the schedule. For example Fossil Frenzy may
run at the 9 am and 11 am hours however the schedule will only permit certain teams to participate at
each time frame.
3. Some events will conflict with one another on the day of competition. This means that a student may not
be able to compete in all of their first choices of events. For example if teams must compete in Fossil
Frenzy and Large Number Estimation at the same time, then the same students cannot compete in both.
Different pairs of students would need to represent the team in each event. Please consult the schedule
for to determine those conflicts.
4. All teams will have the same event conflicts.
5. When selecting student pairs it is advisable that you select students that you know will work well together
in a team situation. Both should be equal members of a partnership. If one member dominates the
partnership, the two will most likely not work well on the day of the competition.
Competition Day
1. The competition day can be a long day for some students however there will be opportunities for fun
besides competing at different points in the day. Snacks and drinks will be offered in the main cafeteria.
There may also be opportunities for recreation in the gymnasium or outside with supervision.
3. The closing ceremonies will be an awards ceremony. Students will be recognized for earning the top
places in each event. Both medals and ribbons will be awarded. There will be time for parents to take
pictures of their children being recognized on stage. The top team scores will also be recognized with
trophies.
4. Coaches will need to turn in several forms including a pledge signed by students vowing to follow a code
of ethics during the competition, a photography release form, and a health release form. Students who
have not completed these forms will not be allowed to participate on the competition day.
5. A spreadsheet with overall team scores will be provided to the coaches immediately following the
competition day once all scores have been made official.
6. Any event appeals must be made within 1 hour of the event and the proper paperwork must be turned in
to the tournament director or his designee on that day. Appeals will be dealt with on a first come first
served policy and in most cases will be resolved on that day. In cases where the resolution cannot be
made on that day every effort will be made to resolve them within 24 hours. Any restitution of medals or
trophies that need to be made as a result of appeals will be made at that time.
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Registration and Cost
1. Each school needs to register their team(s) with Minnesota Science Olympiad at www.minnesota.org.
Each team needs to have a designated head coach to serve as the point of contact for tournament
organizers. The head coach may be a parent, teacher, principal, business person, community organizer, or
any other caring adult.
2. The registration fee for each elementary team is $50. This fee helps cover the cost of running the local
tournament and pays for equipment, materials, trophies, and medals. Teams may also incur the cost of
transportation to and from the tournament site, snacks on the day of the tournament, and purchasing
materials used for practicing for events (although most materials needed for events are commonly found
at home and in educational settings).
Goggles and Safety Glasses
3. Safety glasses look similar to regular glasses. For events that require safety glasses, teams must use safety
glasses that are impacted rated ANSI Z87 or higher. This is printed somewhere on the glasses, usually on
the arm. They must also wrap around the sides of the face or have side shields. Side shields are pieces on
the sides of the glasses that protect the eyes from the side as well as the front. Safety glasses may never be
used for events that require goggles.
4. Safety goggles are the type of eyewear that holds suction to the face. Events that require safety goggles
must be “splash” goggles with indirect vents. Not all safety goggles have an impact rating, nor is it
required. Goggles that do have an impact rating of ANSI Z87 or higher may also be used in in place of
safety glasses in events that require them.
5. To see a full explanation about the kinds of goggles and glasses go to http://soinc.org/eye_protection .
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Designed and Built by the Students The Design Process
The students should be allowed to retain control of the process while designing a Science Olympiad
Project. This means that they should have the last word about how something will be done.
Encourage them to gather information and ideas from library books, teachers, parents, engineers,
scientists and other available resources. The intent is not to reinvent the wheel or to be given a
finished design, but to integrate and build on information gathered. Example: A book on crossbows
may contain information on how to make the trigger mechanism for a catapult. All components
must be made by the students or readily available for purchase. The students should perform the
assembling of the device.
An important part of any design process is brainstorming. The entire team may be encouraged to
participate in the discovery process, not just the two or three that will be involved at the
tournament. An adult may act as facilitator for the group and ask questions or offer ideas. Don't
forget the students should make the final choices.
What Adult Construction Assistance Is Allowed?
Adult assistance should be limited to teaching underlying principles and skills, suggesting ideas,
and advice on methods, tools or materials to accomplish the task. The entire device, including any
accompanying charts, graphs, or notes, should be built and prepared by the students. No
component should be made or assembled by an adult. Some construction tools and methods are
hazardous and are not within the abilities of this age group. Among these, but not limited to, are
welding, machining, wood or metal lathe, milling machine, and metal casting.
Tell your Science Olympiad students: "Tell me what you want to make and together we will find a
way that YOU can SAFELY accomplish it." At this age students don't have much knowledge of
tools and how to use them. Simple tools such as a miter box and backsaw can be used to turn a
weak, unstable project into a sturdy accurate device. Use clamps to hold pieces until they are
fastened together. Power tools present a SAFETY hazard and many are not appropriate for use at
this age, even under adult supervision.
What can be done to insure this is adhered to?
Please insure the honesty and integrity of your students/children are not compromised. Tournament
officials, teachers, coaches and parents, should be made aware that this is to be the work of the
students. At final registration for the tournament, each team's official coach will be asked to certify,
that all materials such as notes, charts, and the device itself, to be used during the tournament
comply with this memo and are the work of the students.
Keep in mind that the purpose of Science Olympiad is to encourage the exploration and pursuit of
science while having fun in the process.
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Event Descriptions – All events are for of 1 to 2 students unless otherwise noted.
CHEW THE FAT – Teams will demonstrate knowledge of the human digestive system and proper
nutrition.
COOL IT (Calorimeter) – Each team will construct a device to keep an ice cube from melting.
DATA DETECTIVE – Teams will analyze and create graphs based on given data.
DON’T BUG ME (Entomology) – Teams will distinguish insects from non-insects, identify various body
parts, characteristics, habitats, ecological significance, life cycles, and major orders of
insects.
FIRST IN FLIGHT – Teams will practice building paper airplanes in advance for either distance or
longest time aloft.
FOSSIL FRENZY – Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of fossils and the fossilization process.
LANDFORMERS – This event is designed to determine a team’s knowledge of landform characteristics
and how they are formed.
LARGE NUMBER ESTIMATION – Teams will be asked to estimate the answers to approximately
twenty questions requiring an estimate between ten and one million.
MYSTERY POWDERS – Teams will be asked to identify a mixture of common white household
powders.
PASTA TOWER – Teams will build a tower from pasta that will hold the greatest weight.
PICTURE THIS - This event has teams of 3 students each competing in a contest in which one member
draws "clues" for the others to guess a science term or concept.
RAMP ’N’ ROLL – Teams will design, build and test a gravity powered vehicle released from a ramp, to
travel a certain distance and stop as close to the finish line as possible.
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT - Contestants will identify constellations, planets, and other common
celestial bodies in our universe. They
TRAJEGGTORY – Teams will bring with them the lightest device constructed out of specified materials
to protect a raw egg when the device containing the egg is thrown horizontally over a bar
at a target placed on the floor. The goal is to keep the egg from breaking while landing as
close to the center of the target as possible.
WEATHER PERMITTING – This event will test the team’s knowledge of conducting investigations and
using appropriate technology to build an understanding of weather and climate.
WHAT’S THE MATTER? – Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of the properties and behavior of
solids, liquids, and gases before and after they undergo changes or interactions.
WRITE IT, DO IT – This event tests a competitor's ability to communicate with a colleague. This event
must be done with 2 students.
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Elementary Tournament Schedule
Highview High School
Saturday, April 18, 2015
8:00 - 8:20 Registration ->
Scoring Room: TBD
8:25 - 8:35 Opening Remarks -> Gym
Impound
by 8:45
Chew The Fat
Cool It (Calorimeter)
Data Detective
Don't Bug Me (Entomology)
First In Flight
Fossil Frenzy
Landformers
Large Number Estimation
Mystery Powders
Pasta Tower
Picture This
Ramp 'n' Roll
Starry, Starry Night (Astronomy)
TrajEGGtory
Weather Permitting
What's The Matter?
Write It Do It
8:45 to 9:30 9:40 to 10:25
am
am
10:35 to
11:20 am
11:30 to
12:15 pm
All Teams
All Teams
All Teams
All Teams
Sign Up for a Time
All Teams
All Teams
All Teams
All Teams
Sign Up for a Time
Sign Up for a Time
Sign Up for a Time
YES
All Teams
YES
Sign Up for a Time
All Teams
All Teams
All Teams
12:45 pm (approx) Awards Ceremony -> Gym
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CHEW THE FAT
DESCRIPTION: Teams will demonstrate knowledge of the human digestive system and proper nutrition.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments and up to 2 calculators.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions,
and response sheets for participants to complete stations. Examples include but are not limited to: models,
pictures, or diagrams.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that
assess any or all of the following topics with any combination of questions, models, pictures, or diagrams:
1. Identify the major organs and body parts involved in the digestive process and understand the
important job each body part has.
a. Salivary glands
b. Taste buds
c. Teeth: incisors, premolars, molars, and canines
d. Esophagus, stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine
e. Kidney, urine, bladder
2. Compare and contrast chemical and physical digestion.
3. Understand food and the benefits of vitamins, minerals and exercise.
4. Be able to distinguish healthy foods from unhealthy foods.
5. Know how to use food labels to make better choices
SCORING: Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or
quality of responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/ChewtheFat.php
http://www.howstuffworks.com - Animation traces the path of food along the digestive system and
explains how each major organ contributes to the absorption of
nutrients and the removal of waste.
http://www.foodmaster.org - Using food to teach math and science
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ - USDA Choose My Plate
http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/DSmovie.html - Digestive system video
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COOL IT
DESCRIPTION: Teams will construct a container (using provided materials) that will slow the melting of an
ice cube.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments and up to 2 calculators.
EVENT LEADERS: Each team will be provided a uniformly formed ice cube, a small plastic bag with
fastener (sandwich type without the Ziploc top), and assorted materials (e.g., Styrofoam cup, Styrofoam
chips, metal cans, plastic cups, foam, newsprint, fabric scraps, various types of insulating materials).
CAUTION: Do not use commercial grade fiberglass because of the dangers of inhalation and abrasion to
skin and eyes.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: Each team will build a container from the assortment of materials. Place the ice cube
in the plastic bag and tie tightly to prevent the loss of water should the ice cube melt. Place the bag
containing the ice cube into the insulated container. After one half hour remove the bag and its contents
from the container. Carefully remove the ice cube from the bag and pour the accumulated water into a
metric measuring device (e.g., cup, graduated vial or cylinder).
SCORING: The team with the least amount of water from the melted ice cube will be the winner. The judge
will do the measuring for each team.
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DATA DETECTIVE
DESCRIPTION: Teams will analyze and create graphs based on given data.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments and up to 2 calculators.
EVENT LEADERS: May provide graph paper, answer sheets, scenario questions, various graphs and
questions.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. The teams will be required to analyze
several data representations and interpret them. They will also be asked to prepare graphs given a set of
data. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics:
1. Bar graphs, pie (or circle) graphs, scatterplots, histograms, and pictographs
2. Data Tables
3. Coordinate grids
4. Stem and leaf plots
5. Line plots
6. Tally charts
7. Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Interval
SCORING:
70% for interpretation of the data.
30% for preparation of the graphs.
Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of answers to selected questions chosen by the event leader
prior to competition.
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DON’T BUG ME
DESCRIPTION: Teams will distinguish insects from non-insects; identify various body parts,
characteristics, habitats, ecological significance, life cycles, and major classes and orders of arthropods.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments. Teams may also bring one commercially produced field guides
and/or one 1-inch, 3-ring binder with pages in any form, from any sources. Teams may also bring one
hand lenses.
EVENT LEADERS: May provide graph paper, answer sheets, scenario questions, various graphs and
questions.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: Participants will be asked questions at of 15-25 stations. Depending upon
availability, pictures, preserved, or living specimens may be used. Questions will include the major
classes of arthropods and orders of insects:
1. Classes: ARACHNIDA, CHILOPODA, CRUSTACEA, DIPLODA, INSECTA (HEXAPODA)
2. Orders: Thysanura, Orthoptera, Isoptera, Neuroptera, Ephemrida, Odonata, Mallophaga,
Anoplura, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Dermaptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera,
Siphonaptera, Hynmenoptera
The second part will test student's knowledge about other items mentioned in the description.
SCORING: Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or
quality of responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
Sample Questions:
Grasshopper
1. To which order does this insect belong?
a. Diptera
b. Odonata
c. Orthoptera
2. What is the purpose of the leg on the last thoracic segment?
a. walking
b. food gathering c. jumping
d. mating
Picture of a feathery antenna of a moth
3. What class of insects has this kind of antenna?
a. Coleoptera
b. Lepidoptera c. Diptera
4. What do we call this type of antenna?
a. laminate
b. club
c. plumes
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.soinc.org/entomology_b
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FIRST IN FLIGHT
DESCRIPTION: Teams will practice building paper airplanes to either fly as far as possible or stay aloft the
longest.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring scissors, a ruler, a writing instrument, and safety glasses.
EVENT LEADERS: Must bring stopwatches, long tape measures, and score sheets. Event leaders will also
provide the following for each team:
1. Four standard-size sheets of copy paper
2. Four standard size #1 paper clips
3. 20 centimeters of 1/2-inch clear tape
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must wear safety glasses while in the flight area.
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION:
1. Teams will build one or two paper airplanes on site.
2. The airplanes must have wings. Using a paper ball as a plane is not allowed.
3. Students may be asked to build a paper airplane designed to:
a. Fly as far as possible
b. Stay in the air as long as possible
4. Teams may make up to two official flights; either using the same plane twice or 2 separate planes
once.
5. Teams will be given a 10-minute build time after the task is announced.
6. Teams will be given a 5-minute "Flight Period", starting when they enter the flight area to launch
their official flights. Participants may make adjustments/repairs to the paper airplanes between
flights however; time for such adjustments/repairs will be part of the 5-minute flight period.
7. If distance is chosen as the task, the plane will be measured in meters to the nearest tenth of a
meter from the starting line to the point where the plane first touches the ground (not to the final
resting place if it slides) for each flight.
8. If time aloft is chosen as the task, time will be measured in seconds to the nearest tenth of a second
for each flight. Time in the air begins when the plane leaves the team member’s hand and stops
when any part of the plane touches the ground or floor. Preferably three timers should be used and
the middle recorded time will be used for scoring.
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9. Each airplane must be launched by one person (the thrower) throwing the airplane unaided from a
reasonably static position behind a marked starting line. Teams may choose to have each team
member launch one plane or the same team member launch both times. A run-up or fast walk as
part of the launch is not permitted. The thrower must attempt to keep both feet on the ground
during launch. Teams must not follow the airplane after release. Team members must wait until
called by the Event Leader to retrieve his/her airplane. Violating any part of this rule will result in
a score of 0 for that official flight.
SCORING: Ranking will be determined by summing the distances for the “distance plane” (in meters to the
nearest tenth of a meter) OR summing times aloft for the “time in the air plane” (in seconds to the nearest
tenth of a second). Tiebreakers will be either longest single distance flight or the longest single time in the
air flight, depending on the task announced.
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/FirstinFlight.php
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FOSSIL FRENZY
DESCRIPTION: Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of fossils and the fossilization process.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments. Teams may bring one commercially produced field guides and/or
one 1-inch, 3-ring binder with pages in any form, from any sources. Teams may also bring one hand
lenses.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions,
and response sheets for participants to complete stations.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that
assess any or all of the following topics:
1. Identification of fossils on the Official Fossil List from pictures, replicas, actual specimens,
descriptions, etc.
2. Be able to understand and explain conditions required for a plant or an animal to become fossilized
and the processes of fossilization
3. Be able to distinguish between modes of preservation: petrification, mineral replacement,
cast/mold, imprint, encasement in amber/copal, mummification, freezing, entrapment in
tar/asphalt.
4. Distinguish between carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore.
5. Identify the geologic time period (Triassic, Jurassic, or Cretaceous) the dinosaur is from.
6. Be able to make inferences about dinosaurs from footprints, teeth, body structures, and coprolites.
7. Examples may include, but are not limited to, determining whether a dinosaur was a carnivore or
herbivore based on type of teeth, spikes present on a tail were likely used for defense, and bones or
other distinguishable parts present in a coprolite indicate the diet of the dinosaur.
8. Identify the environments: marine, terrestrial, fresh water, etc. for all species listed on the Official
Fossil List.
9. Understand the Geologic Time Scale and be able to distinguish between era, period, and epoch and
know where the dinosaurs and humans fit in on that time scale.
SCORING: Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or
quality of responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
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EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/fossilfrenzy.php
http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/fossils-1-fossils-and-dinosaurs/
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/scienceforkids/dinosaurs/index.htm
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/discovering-dinosaurs.cfm
http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/index.cfm
FOSSIL FRENZY
Official Fossil List
Students will have to know common names only.
Vertebrates – Dinosaurs:
Acrocanthosaurus
Allosaurus
Ankylosaurus
Apatosaurus
Archaeopteryx
Coelophysis
Deinonychus
Diplodocus
Iguanodon
Parasaurolophus
Plateosaurus
Stegosaurus
Triceratops
Tyrannosaurus rex
Velociraptor
Other Vertebrates:
Bony Fish
Ichthyosaurs
Plesiosaurs
Pterosaurs
Sharks (shark teeth) and rays
Invertebrates:
Asteroids (sea stars, brittle stars)
Bivalves (clams, mussels, oysters)
Brachiopods
Cephalopods (nautiloids such as orthoceras, ammonoids
such as perisphinctes, belemnoids)
Corals (branching, colonial)
Crustaceans (shrimp, lobster, crabs, barnacles)
Echinoids (sea urchins, sand dollars)
Trilobites
Trace Fossils:
Burrows, Tubes
Coprolites
Nests
Trails, Borings
Tracks, Trackways
Other:
Amber/Copal
Petrified wood
Stromatolites
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LANDFORMERS
DESCRIPTION: This event is designed to determine a team’s knowledge of landform characteristics and
how they are formed.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring ruler and writing instruments. May also bring a hand lens.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions,
and response sheets for participants to complete stations. Examples include but are not limited to: maps,
aerial photographs, pictures, graphs, charts, drawings, scratch paper, and any other information needed to
investigate landforms and how they change over time.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations and use
maps (including topographic maps), charts, aerial photos, drawings, pictures, graphs and other data to:
1. Identify and analyze forces that cause changes in landforms over time.
2. Identify landforms and describe how they have changed over time.
3. Investigate the role of water and the water cycle in shaping landforms.
4. Explain how weathering, erosion, transport and deposition occur and how they shape landforms.
SCORING: Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or
quality of responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/Landformers.php
http://Fossweb.com
http://geology.com
http://terraserver-usa.com
Google Earth
http://nasa.gov
http://maps.google.com
http://usgs.gov/
http://golbexplorer.com/
Minnesota Science Olympiad 2015 Elementary Manual
http://bing.com/maps/
http://goes.noaa.gov/
http://satelliteviews.net/
http://maps.alot.com
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LARGE NUMBER ESTIMATION
DESCRIPTION: Teams will be asked to estimate the answers to approximately thirty questions requiring an
estimate between one and ten million.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments. No other resources are allowed.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions,
and response sheets for participants to complete the event.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION:
1. The questions will follow the following format:
Question
Estimate (Circle One)
a. How many pennies in the jar?
1
100,000
b. How many two centimeter
paper-clips could be laid end to
end across a standard football
playing field?
10
100
1,000,000
1
10
100,000
1,000 10,000
10,000,000
100
1,000 10,000
1,000,000
10,000,000
2. When estimating, round off to the nearest power of ten, for example, 50,001 would be closer to
10,000 than 100,000 and 45 would be closer to 10 than to 100.
3. The students may feel hands-on items.
SCORING: High score wins. Ties are broken by counting the highest number of answers that receive
five (5) points. If the number of 5-point answers is the same, time is used as the second tiebreaker.
If the response is:
Equal to the accepted value
Within one power of 10
Within two powers of 10
It earns:
5 points
3 points
1 point
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MYSTERY POWDERS
DESCRIPTION: Teams will be asked to identify a mixture of common white household powders.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Students may bring only the specified items below, which will represent a team kit. The event
leaders will inspect the team kit to ensure only the correct items are contained.
1. Goggles
2. Test tubes, brushes and racks, spot plates, well plates, reaction plates, beakers or similar small
containers for mixing
3. Something for scooping and stirring
4. pH or hydrion paper
5. Hand lens(es)
6. Beral pipettes
7. Paper towels
8. Writing utensils
9. One 8.5" x 11", two-sided page of notes per team describing how the powders react to the materials
supplied by the event leader
Note: Students that do not bring these items will be at a significant disadvantage, and the event leaders
will not provide these items.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide the 3 pre-made mixtures per team as described in the Competition section
below. In addition, the event leader will provide the following materials for teams to aid in the
identification of the powders:
1. Vinegar
2. Water
3. Aluminum foil
4. Clothespin
5. Iodine solution
6. Black paper
7. Candle (optional)
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Students must wear the following or they will not be allowed to participate:
1. Close-toed shows
2. ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles (see http://soinc.org/eye_protection)
3. Pants or skirts that cover the legs to the ankles
4. A long-sleeved lab coat that reaches the wrists and the knees OR a long-sleeved shirt that reaches
the wrists with a chemical apron that reaches the knees.
Long hair (shoulder length of longer) must be tied back. Gloves are optional. During the event, all
safety rules as stated by the event leader must be followed. Event leaders have the right to disqualify teams
if safety rules are ignored.
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IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION:
1. Three mixtures containing one to three powders will be placed in vials marked, A, B, and C.
Mixture A will consist of two mystery powders. Mixtures B and C will consist of three mystery
powders. Note that vials may contain some of the same powders. The mixtures can be made from
only the following powders:
a. Sugar
b. Baking soda
c. Flour
d. Salt
e. Plaster of Paris
f. Cornstarch
g. White sand
2. Students need to correctly identify as many powders as possible in the allowed time.
3. No tasting or touching of powders will be allowed!
4. If a candle is used, an adult must supervise this station as all times.
5. Participants should collect evidence describing the powders’ reactions to the materials provided by
the event leader BEFORE attending the competition. This information should be on the note sheet
participants bring with them. These notes will be collected at the end of the event.
SCORING: Teams will be ranked based on the number of powders they correctly identify. For teams
with the same number of correct identifications, they are ranked according to quickest time. In case of
ties, the team with the most complete notes will win the tie.
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PASTA TOWER
DESCRIPTION: 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.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 10 minutes
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:
1. A testing platform with a flat surface with a 20.0 cm x 20.0 cm square opening in its center.
2. 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.
3. A ¼” 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.
4. An electronic balance or scale that can mass up to 20 kg and one that can mass a bridge up to
400 grams at 0.1g.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must wear safety glasses throughout event.
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION:
1. The tower is to be a single structure, constructed of only pasta and glue. No other materials shall
be used.
2. All construction must be completed prior to the tournament.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. No portion of the tower may extend below the top surface of the testing platform.
6. 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.
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7. All towers will be assessed prior to testing to determine if they meet the specifications.
8. 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.
9. The students will place the loading block on top of the tower.
10. Students will use the rod/chain to suspend a 5-gallon bucket, approximately 30 cm in diameter,
below the testing platform.
11. 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.
12. 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:
1. Towers that meet all specifications will be ranked, by their structural efficiency, in the first tier.
2. Towers that DO NOT meet one or more of the specifications will be ranked, by their structural
efficiency, in the second tier.
3. 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.
EVENT RESOURCES:
www.sciencenc.com/event-help/PastaTower.php
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PICTURE THIS
DESCRIPTION: The objective is to have a team member draw a representation of a particular scientific
term or concept for team members who must guess the term while watching it being drawn.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 3
APPROXIMATE TIME: 5 minutes
TEAMS: Nothing to bring
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide writing implements and paper. The event leader will select 25 science
terms to be used from the official list below.
THE COMPETITION:
1. Each team will have 5 minutes so complete up to 25 terms. All teams will use the same terms in
the same order.
2. At the start of the competition, one team member, hereafter called the sketcher, will be selected to
draw the science term. No other team member may see the term. The other team members will
try to identify the term being drawn.
3. When instructed by the moderator, the sketcher will begin by drawing pictures and visual clues
on materials provided by officials.
4. The sketcher may not speak except to notify the judge that the team wishes to pass that particular
term. When a pass occurs, the judge will give the next sketcher a new term. The team may not
return to any passed terms.
5. Letters of any alphabet, or numbers of any kind, are not allowed (except with Rule 6 below). (It
is the intent of this rule to prevent teams from inventing alphabets, codes, etc.) The following are
acceptable symbols: to shorten word “-“; to lengthen word “+”; (e.g., “reflect” with a “+” to get
"reflection").
6. Sketchers may not give visual clues except to acknowledge a desired response from team
members. If the science term consists of two or more words, the sketcher may write down any of
the word(s) only after the word(s) has been correctly identified by the team members. The
number of words may be represented with underlines “_”.
7. If a team violates any of the rules regarding the use of alphabets, numbers, verbal communication,
etc. the team will be penalized 1 correct term in addition to the term in play at the time of the
violation. (The score will be adjusted by subtracting the 1-point penalty from the total score.)
8. The event judge will indicate when a correct response is given. Forms of the word will not be
accepted with the exception of plurals and singulars, which will be accepted interchangeably. At
this time, the team will be given a new term.
9. Each team must rotate sketchers when a new term is put into play. A definite order of rotation
shall be followed.
10. Play continues in this manner for five minutes or until the team has gone through all the terms.
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SCORING:
One point will be awarded for each term correctly identified in 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 is the shortest period of time to complete the entire list. Third
tiebreaker is the length of time from the beginning to the first correct term identification.
PICTURE THIS
Official Science Term List
absorb
acid rain
adapt
air pressure
angle
antenna
asteroid
astronomer
atmosphere
atom
bacteria
behavior
biologist
biomass
biome
bird
boiling point
botanist
calorie
carnivore
cell
charge
chemist
chew
chromosome
circuit
clay
climate
cloud
cold front
comet
compass
compound
compression
condensation
conductor
conservation
constellation
consumer
contract
crater
current
data
decay
decomposer
degree
desert
digestion
digestive system
dissolve
DNA
double helix
earthquake
eclipse
ecologist
electricity
electron
elevation
energy
engineer
environment
equator
erosion
estimate
evaporation
evolution
experiment
fiber
fission
flight
float
food web
force
forest
fossil
fossil fuel
fraction
friction
fungus
galaxy
gas
geologist
global warming
grains
graph
grassland
gravity
greenhouse effect
heat
herbivore
horticulture
humus
hurricane
ice
igneous rock
insect
joint
kidney
kinetic energy
leaf
lever
lift
light
lightning
liquid
magnet
mammal
map
mass
matter
measure
melt
metamorphic rock
meteor
meteorologist
meter
migrate
mineral
molecule
moon
Minnesota Science Olympiad 2015 Elementary Manual
motion
muscle
nutrients
oceanography
omnivore
orbit
organ
organism
ornithologist
ozone layer
paleontologist
parallel circuit
parasite
pattern
pendulum
photosynthesis
physicist
planet
pollution
population
potential energy
precipitation
predator
prey
producer
properties
protein
pull
push
quadrilateral
quantity
recycle
refraction
renewable resource
repulsion
resistance
revolve
river
rocket
root
rotate
ruler
saliva
sand
scale
season
sedimentary rock
seed
series circuit
shadow
skin
soil
solid
solution
sound wave
space
star
static
stem
stomach
sugar
sun
symbiosis
taste buds
teeth
telescope
temperature
thermometer
thunder
tornado
velocity
vibration
viscosity
vitamin
volume
warm front
water cycle
wavelength
weather
weathering
23
RAMP ’N’ ROLL
DESCRIPTION: Teams will design, build and test a gravity-powered vehicle released from a ramp, to travel
a certain distance and stop as close to the finish line as possible.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 10 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring a writing instrument, vehicle, ramp, and any tools and graphs necessary to calibrate the
vehicle.
EVENT LEADERS: Must bring stopwatches, long tape measures, tape, and score sheets. Must also provide
a relatively smooth, hard track surface to run on, with start box and finish lines marked in tape.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must wear safety glasses throughout event.
IMPOUND: YES (The vehicle and ramp must be dropped off at the event location prior to the start of the
competition. Anyone may impound the vehicle including coaches, parents, and team members.)
THE COMPETITION:
The Vehicle: Teams will build ahead of time a wheeled vehicle powered by gravity (a ramp) to travel
4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 meters. (Distance tested will be revealed after
impound.)
1. The vehicle must be powered solely by the gravitational energy of rolling down a ramp. No
additional sources of energy are allowed.
2. Mechanical braking systems that automatically engage are the only type of braking system
allowed, if a braking system is used.
3. Non-electronic sighting devices are allowed on the vehicle and/or ramp for alignment
purposes.
4. The vehicle must have a fixed point (toothpick, wire, etc.) extending from the front edge of the
vehicle, close to the track surface, that all measurements will be made from.
The Ramp:
The ramp, with the vehicle in the ready to launch position, must fit within a 60.0 cm x
60.0 cm starting box. Teams may position the ramp and vehicle anywhere within the
starting box. There is no height restriction. The ramp MUST have felt feet or some sort of
protective covering on the bottom that will protect the floor from any protruding nails,
screws, or other sharp edges. Teams without protective material on the bottom of their
device will NOT be allowed to compete.
The Track:
The track must be a relatively smooth, hard surface. The starting box must be marked with
tape. A finish line distance will be marked and announced after impound is completed, at
either 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, or 7.0 meters. A center mark will be made on both the
front edge of the starting box and the finish line.
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Official Runs: Teams will be given an eight-minute time period to make up to 2 official runs.
1. Only teams being judged are allowed in the vehicle impound and track areas while teams are
competing.
2. The eight-minute time period starts when teams enter the track area to begin their official runs.
This time includes any changes/repairs made to the vehicle and/or ramp or measurements taken
by the team. A run that has started before the ten-minute period has elapsed must be counted
as a run. Timing will stop while event leaders make measurements.
3. Teams may opt to calibrate and/or adjust their vehicle and/or the ramp to achieve the intended
distance during the eight minute time period.
4. Teams must not verify the distance by rolling the vehicle on the track between the start and
finish line at any time prior to or during the competition.
5. Teams must place their vehicle and ramp completely in the starting box.
6. Teams must not push or constrain the vehicle during release nor touch their vehicles during a
run. Teams simply release the vehicle to start the run.
7. Teams may not chase their vehicle down the track; they must wait until they are called by the
event leader to retrieve the vehicle.
SCORING:
Teams are ranked using the single run that gives them the best overall rank. The run is scored using the
distance from the fixed point on the vehicle to the center mark of the finish line. This is a point-to-point
measurement and will be measured in centimeters to the nearest tenth, straight-line distance from the fixed
point on the vehicle to the center mark of the finish line. Ties will be broken by the better non-scored run.
All teams that violate a rule in “The Competition” will be ranked in a second tier beneath all teams that do
not have violations.
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/RampNRoll.php
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STARRY, STARRY NIGHT
DESCRIPTION: Teams will identify constellations, planets, and other common celestial bodies in our
universe.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments. Teams my also bring a red penlight.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide all necessary items, objects, materials, questions, and response sheets for
participants to complete.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION:
Part 1: The contestants will be shown star charts or photographs of star fields and be asked to identify
indicated stars, constellations, and other celestial objects from the following:
1. At least 10 constellations (See attached list of constellations and stars.)
2. At least 5 stars. (See attached list of constellations and stars.)
3. At least 3 planets.
4. The moon and/or any of its phases.
5. The sun.
6. The totally eclipsed sun.
7. A spiral galaxy, a nebula, a star cluster, and a comet.
Part 2: The contestants will answer a series of written questions about important astronomical facts and
concepts from the following:
1. Distinguish between the motions of rotation and revolution.
2. State the effects produced by rotation and revolution of the earth.
3. Demonstrate knowledge about units of time (day, month, year) and their astronomical basis.
4. Arrange a group of bodies according to their relative sizes from largest to smallest.
5. Arrange a group of objects according to their distance from either the sun or the earth.
6. Demonstrate knowledge about the seasons on the earth and their causes.
7. Be able to name and identify the phases of the moon and state the factors that produce them.
8. Demonstrate knowledge about the celestial sphere and the following points: zenith, horizon,
four directions, celestial meridian, north celestial pole, and ecliptic.
9. Demonstrate knowledge about the members of the solar system.
10. Demonstrate knowledge about solar and lunar eclipses and the conditions that produce them
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SCORING: All questions will be evaluated with equal weight. The contestants attaining the highest score
will be declared the winner. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of responses to pre-selected
questions chosen by the event leader.
EVENT RESOURCES:
Contestants should prepare for the test by looking through astronomy periodicals or textbooks for
pictures of the moon, planets, star clusters, nebula, or galaxies.
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT
Official Constellation and Star List
Constellation
Star or Star Clusters*
Andromeda
Aquila --------------Altair
Aquarius
Aries
Auriga -------------Capella
Bootes -------------Arcturus
Cancer
Canis Major -------Sirius
Canis Minor -------Procyon
Capricornus
Cassiopeia
Cepheus
Cetus
Cygnus -------------Deneb
Draco
Gemini -------------Castor, Pollux
Hercules
Hydra
Leo -----------------Regulus, Denebola
Libra
Lyra ----------------Vega
Orion ---------------Betelgeuse, Rigel, Bellatrix, Saiph
Pegasus
Perseus -------------Algol
Pisces
Sagittarius
Scorpius -----------Antares
Taurus -------------Aldebaran, Pleiades (7 sisters)*, Hyades*
Ursa Major --------Merak, Dubhe, Mizar, Alcor
Ursa Minor --------Polaris
Virgo ---------------Spica
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TRAJEGGTORY
DESCRIPTION: Teams will build in advance a device constructed out of specified materials to protect a raw
egg from breaking when tossed horizontally over a barrier at a target placed on the floor. The goal is to
keep the egg from cracking or breaking while landing as close to the center of the target as possible.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 10 minutes
TEAMS: Teams must bring egg protection devices and safety glasses.
EVENT LEADERS: Must provide score sheets, tape measures, paper towels, targets, tarps, raw Grade A
Large chicken eggs that have been massed ahead of time, plastic bags for the eggs, and all materials needed
for event. Event leaders will write the mass of the eggs ahead of time on each egg with a permanent
marker.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Teams must wear safety glasses throughout event.
IMPOUND: YES (The TrajEGGtory device must be dropped off at the event location prior to the start of the
competition. Anyone may impound the vehicle including coaches, parents, and team members.)
THE COMPETITION: This event should occur in a large room or outdoors.
1. Teams build ahead of time an egg protecting device out of only the following materials:
a. Cups, plates, or bowls made from paper, Styrofoam, or plastic
b. Rubber bands
c. Copy paper
d. Paper or plastic straws with or without wrappers
e. Cotton balls
f. Natural or synthetic fiberfill (i.e. Polyfill)
g. Packing peanuts
h. Bubble wrap
i. Plastic bags
j. Tape (any kind)
k. Standard cardboard tubes from wrapping paper, toilet paper or paper towels (not the
actual roll)
2. Only team members and event leaders will be allowed in the event area while teams are
competing. Teams cannot receive outside assistance of any kind from anyone once they
enter the competition area. Teams violating this rule will be disqualified.
3. Teams must use eggs and plastic bags provided by the event leader and will be allowed to
inspect and select their own egg from a carton of available eggs. Once the team chooses an
egg, it is their responsibility to keep it from breaking. If the egg is broken before tossing
the device, event leaders may not be able to provide a second egg.
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4. Teams will have 5 minutes to load the egg, contained within a plastic bag, into the device
and seal the device. Teams should bring their own tape or other material needed to seal the
device after loading the egg.
5. Before the device is tossed, the event leader will inspect, measure, and record the mass of
the device to the nearest 0.1 g and subtract the mass of the egg (previously recorded by the
event leader).
6. One team member must toss the device from a reasonably static position behind a marked
starting line.
7. There will be a barrier (e.g., pvc pipe) between the starting line and the target. The barrier
will be a height between 70 & 150cm. The barrier will be placed halfway between the
starting line and the target. The device must go over the barrier or the toss will be redone
with the same device and egg again. Barrier height will be announced at the start of the
event.
8. Targets will be placed so that the center of the target is 4.0 meters from the starting line. It
is recommended to place a tarp on the floor underneath the target.
9. Device Distance will be measured from the center of the target to where the furthest part of
the device comes to rest. This means that if a part of the device breaks off and lands farther
from the target than the rest of the device, the distance to that piece will be used.
10. After the device distance has been measured, teams must remove their egg from their own
device and have an event leader verify whether the egg has broken or not. Breakage is
defined as being cracked or broken enough to leave a wet mark on a paper towel. Eggs that
break before being verified as unbroken by an event leader will be scored in Tier 2 as
broken.
SCORING:
1. Devices will first be ranked in tiers according to whether the egg breaks.
a. Tier 1: Devices with eggs that survive.
b. Tier 2: Devices with eggs that break.
c. Tier 3: Devices, regardless of egg breakage, that violate competition rules.
2. Within each tier, devices will be ranked according using the following formula. Lowest score
wins.
(Device Distance in cm ÷ Target Distance in m) + Device Mass in g = TrajEGGtory Device Score
3. Ties will be broken by the mass of the device. The device with the lowest mass wins the tie
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/trajeggtory.php
Instructional videos on egg strength and making a practice egg:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/EggDrop.php
Trajeggtory is a combination of egg drop and egg hurl competitions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_drop_competition
Engaging students in the inquiry aspect of an egg drop experiment:
http://college.cengage.com/education/pbl/project/project3.html#problem
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WEATHER PERMITTING
DESCRIPTION: This event will test the team’s knowledge of conducting investigations and using
appropriate technology to build an understanding of weather and climate.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions,
and response sheets for participants to complete stations.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that
assess any of all of the following topics:
1. Water cycle (processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and run-off)
2. Understand global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents and how these patterns
influence local weather
3. Weather instruments and their use in predicting upcoming weather events
4. Types of clouds and their relationships to weather conditions
5. Using weather maps to identify weather conditions
6. Weather versus climate
7. Factors that affect the climate of a region and seasonal changes
8. World climate zones
9. Prevailing and local winds
SCORING:
Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of
responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/WeatherPermitting.php
http://www.theweatherchannelforkids.com
http://weather.com
http://www.weatherwizkids.com
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WHAT’S THE MATTER?
DESCRIPTION: Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of the physical properties of matter and the
behavior of solids, liquids, and gases before and after they undergo physical or chemical changes.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1 or 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Teams must bring writing instruments and goggles. Teams may not bring resources to this event.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions,
and response sheets for participants to complete stations.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Students must bring goggles in case the event leader requires their use.
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that
assess any of all of the following topics:
1. States of matter: solid, liquid, gas, plasma
2. Atoms and their properties:
a. Basic structure of the atom
b. Behavior of atoms in different states of matter
3. Composition of matter:
a. Elements vs. compounds vs. mixtures
b. Types of mixtures – colloid, suspension and solutions
4. Properties of matter: strength, magnetism, flexibility, hardness, opacity, ability to conduct heat,
ability to conduct electricity, reaction to water, viscosity, mass, volume, density, and buoyancy.
5. Phases changes: freezing, melting, condensation, evaporation, sublimation, deposition
6. Physical vs. chemical changes (e.g. tearing a piece of paper vs. burning the paper)
7. Relative density (e.g., given 3 objects of the same size, rank them from least dense to most dense)
SCORING:
Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of
responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
EVENT RESOURCES:
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/whatsthematter.php
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/materialproperties.html
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/states-of-matter
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/concentration
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balloons
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/soluble-salts
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/states-of-matter-basics
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WRITE IT DO IT
DESCRIPTION: This event tests competitors’ ability to clearly communicate in writing and follow written
directions.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: must have 2
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments.
EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary objects and paper to write on.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
IMPOUND: No
THE COMPETITION:
1. One student is shown a contraption built from blocks, science equipment, tinker toys, Legos,
K'NEX, Construx, Lincoln Logs, or other inexpensive materials. The student has 25 minutes to
write a description of the object and how to make it. Only numerals, words and single letters may
be used. Symbols, drawings and diagrams are not allowed, with the exception of common
punctuation and editing symbols.
2. His/her partner (in another room) takes the description and attempts to recreate (build) the original
object in 20 minutes.
3. No diagrams allowed and no verbal or other communication allowed in passing.
SCORING:
The student who builds the object nearest to the original is declared the winner. A point will be given for
each piece of material placed in the proper location. No penalty will be assessed for parts that were not
assembled. Time may be used as a tiebreaker.
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