The following are 2015 events. 2016 Events will be announced very soon.
2015 Event rules are available now. Click here to download the rule book.
A is for Anatomy
Students will identify anatomical structures of the human nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Included on the test are scientific names of the parts of the brain, a spinal cord cross section, a neuron, the simple spinal reflex, special senses (ear and eye) the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system.
Charged Up
Students will be tested on their knowledge of electricity and related concepts. The exam will cover circuits, conductors, diodes, voltage, current, resistance, schematic drawings, meter reading, electrical sources and safety.
Crash Car Eggspert
Each team will build a structure on top of a PineCar Racer. The structure will be designed to hold and protect an egg as the car is rolled down a progressively steeper series of ramps and crashed into an immovable barrier. Expect to see a new set of building materials.
Crime Busters 2015 NEW
To determine who committed a crime, students will analyze clues that may include testing of unknown powders, paper chromatography to identify ink, matching fingerprints, shoe prints or tire tracks. This popular event is back because you asked for it!
Don't Bug Me
Using characteristics of the major arthropod classes, students are to distinguish insects from non-insects. They will also identify insect specimens, body parts, characteristics, habitats, ecological significance, and life cycles of specified orders of insects.
Grasp-A-Graph
Students will interpret and organize information using pictographs, pie, bar, double bar, line and double line graphs.
Mystery Architecture
Students will be given a bag of materials to build a freestanding tower as tall as they can. The tower should be constructed to support a tennis ball at its top.
Reflection Relay
A team of three students will work cooperatively to determine the path a light beam takes, as it reflects off a series of plane mirrors. The paper test portion has been replaced with an exciting new activity.
Rock Hound
Students will prepare charts and use them to identify various rocks and minerals.Questions about the rocks or minerals, such as their color, specific gravity, relative hardness, reaction to 3 molar hydrochloric acid, shape, and texture will be asked. Expect an area of focus in this event.
Rubber Band Catapult
Students will design and construct a catapult device,according to the parameters set forth in the rules,to shoot a rubber band at a target that is placed within a given range. Expect to see new build requirements.
Simple Machines
Participants will identify, use, and answer questions about simple machines and recognize the relationships between work, force and distance as they apply to each simple machine. Knowledge of the following six simple machines will be demonstrated: lever, inclined plane, pulley, screw, wheel and axle, and wedge. Students should know and understand the concept of mechanical advantage and be able to estimate it by comparing the ratio of forces or distances.
Starry, Starry Night
This event will test students’ knowledge of astronomical facts and concepts relating to the earth, moon, solar system, celestial sphere, stars and constellations.
Water Rockets
Prior to the tournament, contestants will use 2-liter soda/pop bottles to build one or more rockets propelled by pressurized air and water. Rockets will be launched at the tournament and time aloft recorded. The rocket that stays aloft for the longest time will win. Expect to see new build requirements.
Weather or Not
Students will be tested on their knowledge of weather and meteorology.Topics may include clouds, simple scientific weather instruments and their functions, weather patterns, severe weather, and weather photographs, drawings, or diagrams. Questions may also include states of water, water cycle, weather terminology, atmosphere, and seasonal changes in weather.
Wildlife Safari
Students will demonstrate their ability to identify reptiles and amphibians and their habitats through the use of field guides.
Zowie Estimation
Presented with a variety of tasks, students will be asked to estimate mass in grams, volume in cubic centimeters, and number of objects in a container.
2015 Event rules are available now. Click here to download the rule book.
A is for Anatomy
Students will identify anatomical structures of the human nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Included on the test are scientific names of the parts of the brain, a spinal cord cross section, a neuron, the simple spinal reflex, special senses (ear and eye) the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system.
Charged Up
Students will be tested on their knowledge of electricity and related concepts. The exam will cover circuits, conductors, diodes, voltage, current, resistance, schematic drawings, meter reading, electrical sources and safety.
Crash Car Eggspert
Each team will build a structure on top of a PineCar Racer. The structure will be designed to hold and protect an egg as the car is rolled down a progressively steeper series of ramps and crashed into an immovable barrier. Expect to see a new set of building materials.
Crime Busters 2015 NEW
To determine who committed a crime, students will analyze clues that may include testing of unknown powders, paper chromatography to identify ink, matching fingerprints, shoe prints or tire tracks. This popular event is back because you asked for it!
Don't Bug Me
Using characteristics of the major arthropod classes, students are to distinguish insects from non-insects. They will also identify insect specimens, body parts, characteristics, habitats, ecological significance, and life cycles of specified orders of insects.
Grasp-A-Graph
Students will interpret and organize information using pictographs, pie, bar, double bar, line and double line graphs.
Mystery Architecture
Students will be given a bag of materials to build a freestanding tower as tall as they can. The tower should be constructed to support a tennis ball at its top.
Reflection Relay
A team of three students will work cooperatively to determine the path a light beam takes, as it reflects off a series of plane mirrors. The paper test portion has been replaced with an exciting new activity.
Rock Hound
Students will prepare charts and use them to identify various rocks and minerals.Questions about the rocks or minerals, such as their color, specific gravity, relative hardness, reaction to 3 molar hydrochloric acid, shape, and texture will be asked. Expect an area of focus in this event.
Rubber Band Catapult
Students will design and construct a catapult device,according to the parameters set forth in the rules,to shoot a rubber band at a target that is placed within a given range. Expect to see new build requirements.
Simple Machines
Participants will identify, use, and answer questions about simple machines and recognize the relationships between work, force and distance as they apply to each simple machine. Knowledge of the following six simple machines will be demonstrated: lever, inclined plane, pulley, screw, wheel and axle, and wedge. Students should know and understand the concept of mechanical advantage and be able to estimate it by comparing the ratio of forces or distances.
Starry, Starry Night
This event will test students’ knowledge of astronomical facts and concepts relating to the earth, moon, solar system, celestial sphere, stars and constellations.
Water Rockets
Prior to the tournament, contestants will use 2-liter soda/pop bottles to build one or more rockets propelled by pressurized air and water. Rockets will be launched at the tournament and time aloft recorded. The rocket that stays aloft for the longest time will win. Expect to see new build requirements.
Weather or Not
Students will be tested on their knowledge of weather and meteorology.Topics may include clouds, simple scientific weather instruments and their functions, weather patterns, severe weather, and weather photographs, drawings, or diagrams. Questions may also include states of water, water cycle, weather terminology, atmosphere, and seasonal changes in weather.
Wildlife Safari
Students will demonstrate their ability to identify reptiles and amphibians and their habitats through the use of field guides.
Zowie Estimation
Presented with a variety of tasks, students will be asked to estimate mass in grams, volume in cubic centimeters, and number of objects in a container.