SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ELEMENTARY INVITATIONAL
2014 RULES & SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 8, 2014
8:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Meet at Clark College Gym (O’Connell Sports Complex-OSC)
Each Team will have a maximum of 15 students. They will be divided as evenly as possible by
the Team coach into 5 “Groups.” If you have 15 Team members, then you should have 3
students in each Group. If you have 10 Team members, then you should have 2 students in
each Group. If you have 13 Team members, then you should have 3 Groups with 3 students,
and 2 Groups with 2 students.
Each Team will be assigned a number. The Groups will have the designations of A, B, C, D,
and E, added to the Team number. For example, Team #1 will be composed of Groups 1A,
1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E. Students must remain in the same Group for all five events. Students
within the same Group are allowed and encouraged to talk to each other when they are
working together in an event. The entire Team of 5 Groups will rotate together from event to
event.
Since this tournament is to test students’ knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts,
we encourage your Team to prepare and practice beforehand. If you’d like to make this a
more spontaneous experience, we know your students will still enjoy themselves, but please
do not be disappointed that this is not a “come and learn” activity with full explanations of
principles and techniques.
Some events use “tiers” as part of the scoring system. In the same way that first place is
better than second place, the first tier is better than the second tier. There will be awards for
first through fifth place Teams in each event as well as a prize for the one Group that scores
best in each event.
Complete tournament information (including registration forms, rules and schedule) may be
found on the Southwest Washington Regional Science Olympiad website at
http://www.clark.edu/special/scienceolympiad/ by mid-September.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
8:00 – 8:30
Coach check-in & begin assembling with team
8:45 – 9:00
Welcome & head off to event rooms
9:00 – 9:30
First event
9:40 – 10:05
Second event
10:15 – 10:35
Third event
10:45 – 11:05
Fourth event
11:15 – 11:35
Fifth event
11:45 – 12:15
Closing
Southwest Washington Elementary Science Olympiad 2014
DYNAMIC DENSITY
Description: Students will measure the mass and volume of two different sugar solutions to find their density
and determine their concentration.
Number of Participants: Teams are divided into Groups of no more than 3 each (5 Groups per Team).
Time: 20 minutes
The Competition:
1. Each Group of three students will bring a single plastic container. This can be a measuring cup, beaker, or
graduated cylinder of nominal volume around 250 ml or less. Groups are also allowed to bring in plastic
pipettes to make fine adjustments in the volume of solution in their volumetric device.
2. Each Group of three students has the option to bring in a single 8.5” x 11” paper (one side only) with either a
graph or a data table (not both) for density (sugar in water) verses concentration (in grams of sugar divided by
grams of water). This reference sheet must be written in the students’ handwriting before the tournament.
3. Each Group may bring in a simple non-programmable calculator to compute density (mass in g divided by
volume in ml). Instead of a calculator, students can use the back side of their graph/data table as scratch paper
to do calculations.
4. Electronic mass scales to determine mass will be provided for Groups to share.
5. Each Group will be given two different colored solutions. Solutions will be between 0.10 and 1.00 g sugar/g
water. They will find the density of each solution and using their graph or table determine the concentration
(to +/- 0.01) of each solution.
6. The students will record the color of the solution and its concentration for both solutions on an answer sheet
that will be provided.
7. No tasting, touching, or smelling of solutions will be allowed!
8. Paper towels will be provided for all Groups to clean out their volumetric measuring device, clean up their
area and leave the scales clean. They will be instructed where to put waste materials. Failure to clean up will
result in a penalty.
Scoring:
1. The Group’s score will be determined by the following formula:
(Solution Score A) + (Solution Score B) where the Solution Score is equal to
| actual concentration – measured concentration | x 100
actual concentration
2. The Team score will be the total of the 5 Group scores.
3. The lowest score will be the winner.
4. Team ties will be broken by the best (lowest) Group score. Group ties will be broken by the Group with the
closest measured concentration of one of the solutions chosen by the judges.
Southwest Washington Elementary Science Olympiad 2014
GLIDER GOLF
Description: Students will build, test and fly paper airplanes using only the materials they are given with the
objective of landing it as close as possible to a table top target.
Number of Participants: Team divided into Groups of no more than 3 each (5 Groups per Team)
Time: 20 minutes
The Competition:
1. Each Group will be given two sheets of plain white paper (8½” x 11”) along with approximately five
centimeters of masking tape, two standard (~3 cm) paper clips, and a pair of scissors. The plane does not
have to use the entire sheet of paper. The tape and paper clips are not required to be part of the plane. The
scissors are only a tool.
2. Planes must be made on site, during the allotted time, using only the materials provided. Airplanes must be of
a folded aerodynamic design. Crumpled wads of paper do not qualify.
3. Teams will have up to 10 minutes to make and test their planes.
4. Each Group will be allowed two official flights originating from a designated line on the floor. They may fly
one plane twice or two different planes one time each. Flights may be launched by any member(s) of the
Group.
5. The specified target point will be in the center of two tables set side by side, each measuring approximately
30” x 5’ (76 cm x 152 cm). Their height should be between 70-80 cm. Exact table size will be posted on our
website. The tables will be placed on a carpeted floor so that the shorter end of the tables are parallel to the
launching line and the target is 4 meters from the launching line.
Scoring:
1. After each flight, the judges will measure and record the distance from the target point to the nose of the plane
where it comes to rest to the nearest millimeter. If the plane lands on the floor, the distance will be measured
from the plane’s nose a point on the floor directly below the target point. This distance will be the flight’s
score.
2. Scores will be ranked using two tiers:
A. Tier 1: Planes that land on the table.
B. Tier 2: Planes that land off the table.
3. The Group’s score will be the better (lower) of the two recorded scores.
4. The Team score will be the total of the 5 Group scores.
5. The lowest score, signifying the closest to the target, will be the winner.
6. Team ties will be broken by the best (lowest) Group score. Group ties will be broken by the best (lowest)
score for the unused flight.
Southwest Washington Elementary Science Olympiad 2014
GREEN EGGS GO BAM!
Description: Each Group will make a package from recyclable paper products that will protect a raw egg when a
ream of paper is dropped on it from two different heights.
Number of Participants: Team divided into Groups of no more than 3 each (5 Groups per Team)
Time: 20 minutes
The Competition:
1. Each Group will bring building materials that are clean curbside recyclable paper products (see list on next
page). They must all fit completely inside one small paper lunch bag which measures a maximum of 14 cm
by 9 cm by 26 cm. The contents may not overflow the bag nor may they be pre-assembled. The event
supervisor will not provide any of these building materials.
2. Each Group will be given these supplies with these restrictions.
1. One plastic egg and one sandwich sized zip-style plastic bag: To be used only during constructions for
sizing and must be left at the construction area. They must be readily retrievable (within 10 seconds)
from the protective package or it will be scored at the bottom of the Tier.
2. 20 cm of masking tape: May not be attached to the egg or plastic bag.
3. One pair of scissors (or Groups may bring their own): May not be included in the protective packaging.
4. The entire package must be less than 40 cm in height or it may not be tested.
3. Each Group will have a maximum time of 10 minutes to construct a package to cushion the egg and prevent it
from breaking when a ream of paper is dropped on it from a given height. A broken egg is defined as a
visible crack or one which leaves a wet spot on a paper towel.
4. Students must also clean up their area within the 10 minute building time. They will be instructed where to
put waste materials. Any group failing to clean up their area will be penalized.
5. When the Group has completed building, they will take their package to a weighing station where its mass
will be determined without an egg or plastic bag.
6. After the mass has been determined, the Group will proceed to the drop site. They will seal one raw large
Grade A or AA chicken egg in a sandwich sized zip-style plastic bag provided by the judges. They will then
place the egg and plastic bag in their package.
7. The ream of paper will be 500 sheets of approximately 20 pound weight standard letter size (8½” by 11”).
The paper should be in its original packaging, but may be wrapped in a protective covering such as plastic
wrap. The plastic wrap will be exchanged if broken egg gets on it. The judges will do the dropping of the
weight onto the egg.
8. Each Group will be allowed one drop of the ream of paper from the first height of approximately 50
centimeters from the floor. If the egg survives without breaking, they will then be allowed one drop of the
ream of paper from a second height of approximately 1 meter.
Scoring:
1. The Group’s score will be the mass of the package without the egg and plastic bag.
2. Scores will be ranked using these tiers:
1. Tier 1: Eggs that survive both the first and second drops.
2. Tier 2: Eggs that survive the first drop, but not the second.
3. Tier 3: Eggs that break after the first drop.
4. Tier 4: Eggs that break before the first drop.
5. Tier 5: Packages that use materials that are not allowed.
3. The Team score will be the total of the 5 Group scores.
4. The lowest score is the winner.
5. Team ties will be broken by the best (lowest) Group score.
(continued next page)
(Green Eggs Go Bam! continued)
These are the only allowed “clean curbside recyclable paper products”:
Writing and printing paper (printed or plain), card stock paper, construction paper
Paper envelopes, wrapping paper (without foil)
Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, shredded paper
Paper bags (including the bag used for transporting materials)
Flat pieces of cardboard, cereal boxes
Paper straws, paper plates, empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls
Note: All building materials (except straws, toilet paper rolls, and paper towel rolls) must be flat and less
than 1 cm in thickness.
Materials which will not be allowed (not an inclusive list):
Any preformed paper containers such as boxes (for example, shoe or gift boxes) or parts of egg cartons
Tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins
Envelopes with metal clasps or transparent windows (unless removed)
Waxed paper products, milk cartons, drink boxes, soup boxes
Waxed or plastic food liner bags (such as for cereal or pet food)
Frozen food containers, juice concentrate containers
Wood products that aren’t paper
Glass of any kind
Metal of any kind including foil, aluminum cans, or tin cans
Plastics of any kind including milk cartons, yogurt containers, plastic straws, bubble wrap
Mylar, Styrofoam, or packing peanuts
Southwest Washington Elementary Science Olympiad 2014
ROCK HOUND
Description: Students will identify rocks and minerals and answer questions regarding their characteristics.
Number of Participants: Team divided into Groups of no more than 3 each (5 Groups per team)
Time: 20 minutes
The Competition:
1. There will be four parts to this event. The rocks and minerals for each part will be different. Students will be
allowed about 4 minutes for each part.
A. Characteristics: Groups will be given a set of 5-8 rocks. By way of check off boxes, they must identify
each one as (i) rock or mineral, and (ii) igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
B. Hardness: Groups will be given a set of 5-8 minerals. Using Moh’s Scale of Relative Hardness (see
example next page) as a guide, they must put them in order of hardness from softest to hardest. They do
not have to specify the exact hardness rating. Provided tools for the scratch test will include a copper
penny, a piece of glass and a steel nail (as a substitute for a knife).
C. Identification: Groups will be given a set of 5 rocks and minerals. They must identify them using
multiple methods including (but not limited to) color, texture, hardness, reaction to vinegar, and/or streak.
Vinegar and streak plates will be provided.
D. Questions: Groups will answer up to 10 multiple choice or matching questions regarding related
characteristics and formation of rocks and minerals.
2. Rocks and minerals are limited to the “ESO Rock and Mineral List” on the following page. Samples of many
are available for checkout from ESD 112.
3. Students may bring in two pieces of paper into the event room. These are limited to the following with one of
each per Group.
A. “Rock Hound Fact Chart”: This is an 8.5” by 11” double sided chart that will be available on our website
by mid-September. Students may fill in blanks on the chart with information that they learn on their own.
B. Reference Sheet: This is an 8.5” by 11” reference sheet written on one or both sides. It must be student
generated and in their handwriting. It may include the Moh’s scale of hardness and any additional
information including drawings done by the students, but no photos or computer generated images.
C. Both pieces of paper will be turned in with the Group’s answer sheet at the end of the event and may be
used to aid in scoring.
Scoring:
1. Each rock or mineral identified and each question answered correctly will be worth one (1) point.
2. The Team score will be the total of the 5 Group scores.
3. The highest score is the winner.
4. Team ties will be broken by the best Group score. Group ties will be broken by the Group with the most
complete and accurate reference sheet.
(continued next page)
(Rock Hound continued)
ESO Rock & Mineral List
ROCKS
MINERALS
basalt
limestone (fossil)*
sandstone
calcite
graphite*
mica-biotite
bituminous coal*
marble
schist (garnet)
copper*
gypsum (satin spar)
pyrite*
conglomerate
obsidian
scoria
feldspar (pink)
halite
quartz (chert)*
gneiss
pumice
shale
fluorite
hematite*
quartz (crystal)
*These rocks and minerals are NOT available for checkout from ESD 112.
Example of Moh’s Scale of Relative Hardness
Material
Talc
Gypsum
Calcite
Fluorite
Apatite
Feldspar
Quartz
Topaz
Corundum
Diamond
What it will do
Most everything scratches it
Fingernail will scratch it
Copper penny will scratch it
Steel knife will scratch it
Knife scratches if hard pressed
Will scratch knife blade
Will scratch glass
Will scratch quartz
Will scratch everything but diamond
Will scratch everything
Helpful resources:
www.minerals.net
www.Geology.com
www.Quizlet.com/10189414/rock-and-mineral-identification-flash-cards
www.Jersey.uoregon.edu
Rating
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
granite
quartzite
slate
galena*
kaolinite*
talc*
Southwest Washington Elementary Science Olympiad 2014
ROCKET BOAT RALLY
Description: Students will determine the correct amount of baking soda and vinegar to propel a pre-made bottle
boat along a water track for a specified distance.
Number of Participants: Teams are divided into Groups of no more than 3 each (5 Groups per Team)
Time: 20 minutes
The Competition:
1. Safety precautions MUST be used. Clark College policy requires students to wear long pants and closed
toed shoes. The event supervisor will supply splash-proof safety goggles (or Teams can bring their own).*
2. Each Group will bring one pre-built “Rocket Boat” made from a 500ml plastic soda/water bottle. (See
Construction for specifications and suggestions.)
3. Groups will have up to 5 minutes to prepare their boats with the proper amount of chemicals. Event
supervisors will provide vinegar, baking soda, and paper towels. If there is enough time, students will have a
chance to reload their boats for a second run.
4. Each Group of three students has the option of using one 3” by 5” index card with reference notes as to how
much vinegar and baking soda to use to get the boat to move various distances. This card must be written in
the students’ handwriting before the tournament.
5. Each Group may bring an assortment of measuring devices to measure quantities of vinegar and baking soda.
These could be measuring cups, measuring spoons, beakers, funnels, or graduated cylinders for both dry and
wet chemicals. NO breakable glass containers will be allowed! Students may mark on the bottle boats. No
mass scales are allowed to determine amounts.
6. Students must clean up their area within the prep time. They will be instructed where to put waste materials.
Any group failing to clean up their area will be penalized.
7. When the Group has completed preparations, they will take their boat to the track ready to assemble the boat
and go.
8. There will be one track provided for each Team at the tournament. The track consists of 10 feet (~300 cm) of
plastic gutter filled with water. (See Construction for specifications and suggestions.) The start line will be
30 cm from one end. The boat must start from behind the start line.
9. The distance for the boat to travel (as measured from the start line) will be specified (in cm) at the time of the
event. The specified distance will be between 30 cm and 265 cm.
10. When students arrive at the start line, they will have one minute to assemble their boat and start their run.**
This may include loading the chemicals. Once the boat is underway, students may not touch it until the
judges measure the distance it has traveled and give the boat back to them.
11. If the chemical reaction starts before the students are ready or the students can’t get their boat in the water to
run, the Group will be given a failing score for the run. If the judges rule that the error was not the fault of the
students, the judges can elect to give the Group another run.
Scoring:
1. Each Group will get 2 runs as time allows. After the first run, students can adjust the amount of materials
they use for their second run.
2. The run distance will be measured to the nearest 0.1 cm from the most forward point of the boat.
3. The Group’s score is determined by the better score of the two runs using the following formula:
Run Score = | measured distance – target distance |
4. The Team score will be the total of the 5 Group scores.
5. The lowest score, signifying the closest to target distance, will be the winner.
6. Team ties will be broken by the best (lowest) Group score. Group ties will be broken by best run score for the
unused run.
(continued next page)
(Rocket Boat Rally continued)
Penalties:
The following penalties will be added to the run scores.
1. Failure to clean up spilled materials: +20 cm
2. Starting rocket boat beyond start line: +10 cm
3. Giving rocket boat a push at the start: +10 cm
4. A run that hits the end of the track: +10 cm
Construction:
1. Rocket boats can be made of any plastic water/soda (~500ml) bottle that fits in the track. The plastic bottle
may NOT be altered in any way (i.e. nose cones, fins, reshaping, etc.).
2. Troughs to hold the baking soda may be of any design and length as long as they fit in the bottle. Adults are
only allowed to assist Teams with cutting the trough. Here are two suggestions for trough design.
a. Using a section of ½” PVC pipe:
i. A section of PVC pipe should be cut in half lengthwise EXCEPT for approximately the last 2-3 cm
of PVC pipe . This last 2-3 cm section should left be intact, so that as a complete circle it will fit
snuggly into the neck of the bottle. Because the pipe and bottles come with small variations, the
pipes do not always fit into every bottle, so make sure the bottle you use fits.
ii. Jerky movements will cause some baking soda to spill when loading the pipe into the bottle filled
with vinegar, so make sure the PVC pipe is smooth by sanding off any spurs made during
construction so it slides smoothly into the neck of the bottle. Students should be able to handle this
part of construction.
iii. Closing off the end of the trough nearest the bottom of the bottle will help the baking soda to stay in
the trough during loading.
b. Using a section of a 1 or 2-liter plastic beverage bottle:
i.
This can be cut with scissors from a part of the bottle that may or may not include the bottom
curved portion. If the curved portion is included, it will help the baking soda to stay in the trough
during loading.
ii.
Folding a non-curved end that will eventually be at the neck of the bottle will ensure that it
maintains a “U” shape to hold the baking soda. It may also act as a handle when loading it into
the bottle.
3. A small hole is drilled (by an adult) into the cap to let gas escape and propel the rocket boat. Any size hole
will be allowed, but anything larger than 1/8” doesn’t work very well.
4. The track will consist of a standard 10’ by 4” plastic rain gutter with two end caps filled with water.
Materials are available at any hardware store. Costs will run about $5.25 for the gutter and $7 for two end
caps. BEWARE: Because of how they are stored, some gutters get squeezed and will be too small in width.
They will need to be pulled apart to be used. Watch for this when purchasing a practice track.
* One outlet for safety goggles with an ANSI Z87 rating is Harbor Freight Tools for about $2 a pair.
** A video will be posted on our website demonstrating a Rocket Boat Rally run along with photos of possible
trough designs.