2017 Smarts Challenge - Webster, SD

Competition Date: 3-27-17
-------------------------------------------- RESULTS -- 2017 Score Card 
Lowest combine score wins
1st in an event is a 1
2nd in an event is a 2...and so on
--------------------------------------------------

Time:  9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where:  Webster Armory, Webster SD

Presented by:  Webster Area High School Science Dept.
Martin Looyenga:  martin.looyenga@k12.sd.us
Jenna Sinner:  jenna.sinner@k12.sd.us
School ph #:  605-345-3548

This is a competition for creative, science based learners: a time to explore science in ways that are not always easy to accomplish in the classroom.  Students can create, build, and showcase their work.  They can also work as teams to solve problems.  The competitions will consist of "make and takes" where the student teams will build a device and bring it to the competition.  There will also be on-site activities where students will be asked to solve engineering or science based problems.

 I - We'd like to invite your school's students, primarily physics students, but 
     any high school student can compete.
   
II - Each school may bring up to 4 teams consisting of up to 12 students per team.

      Registration Form: for each team competing - complete and attach check -
      due Feb. 28, 2017.  (We need the numbers for supply quantities)

      Coaches:  Please be aware of the time schedule as your students sign-up for 
      events.  Events may have events coinciding.

III - There will be 7 events:  Each event will consist of 2 to 4 participants.
      Descriptions and rules are attached as PDF Files.

EVENTS (on site & pre-made) (PDFs explain the event)
      1 - Kg to Go  (PDF File)
      2 - Sling and Catch (PDF File)
      3 - up, Up & AWAY (PDF File) (suggest getting a kit, a quick search found this one here)
      4 - Construct - Boomerangs and Obelisks (PDF File)
      5 - Mousetrap Car Distance Challenge  (PDF File)
      6 - Science Pictionary (PDF File)
      7 - Rube Goldberg Machine (PDF File)  scoring rubric (PDF File)

      www.FLOATdocumentary.com - short videos about rubber band powered airplanes
      one on each "Home and Social" page
      Google "rubber band powered airplane" and there's lot of stuff out there


      Time Schedule: click here for 2017 Schedule
      
      Coaches - Be mindful of the time schedule as you set up teams for each event.  
      Students are not to be registered for 2 events competing at the same time. 

      Awards presentation to follow last competition.
 V - Judges and event directors will be coaches from participating schools, assisted 
       by volunteers from the Webster community.

VI - Prizes: There will be a 1st place plaque awarded to the winning team. Winners in
       each event will get an event specific t-shirt.

VII - Entry fee:  $50 per team per school payable to Webster Area School Dist.


Registration Form:  Complete and attach check - payable to Webster Area School Dist..  Due Feb. 28, 2017.  (If you can't get a check to us by then, but are attending, please send the roster and get the check at a later date)

As students start working there will be questions.  And if coaches have comments/questions, here's where.....Please post them below.





11 comments:

  1. Any chance you could add the Rube Goldberg event? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meg VanderLaan, from Linton ND, said that she would be willing to run the Rube Goldberg Challenge so we will be adding one additional event. Students really have fun with this event, so it's a good one to add. We have 7 total. I will make adjustments to the schedule.
      Meg, being a teacher who has done Smarts Challenge, any words of advice for other schools?

      Delete
    2. I will try to upload a video link so they can see past devices in action. Toys make great learning tools!! The kids learn patience and persistence! So do I! I will get the instructions together today and send them to you, Marty. We are so excited to be coming! Meg

      Delete
  2. Once again, I apologize. The 24th is not going to work. We have two options: 3-27 or 4-3. Please post comments.

    ReplyDelete
  3. March 27th is our date. All apologies for the inconvenience. We hope you can still attend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rube Goldberg Machine Specs and scoring sheet are online

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  5. We will be doing a FB live on the Webster School Facebook page on competition day.

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  6. Question was asked, "Does the construct assemble and construct contest deal with the boomerangs and obelisks? Will the same team do both?"

    Answer - yes, Construct contestants will build a airplane/boomerang and also a short tower support system. What contestants do what is up to you. You could have 1 do each, you could have all four do one event and then the other, you could have 2 do one event and 2 do the other (which is what we are doing). For the contest part, not all of the team members have to be there. As long as a team member is present for the contest portion, your team will be ok.

    Hope that answers your question.

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  7. The boomerang instructions indicate that all 6 sheets need to be used. Is this correct or can they use less than the 6?

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  8. All six sheets of paper need to be used. I got to thinking on this...no team is to make their 6 sheets of paper into a ball and throw it straight up. The intent of this activity is to "engineer" an airplane. :)

    ReplyDelete

Comments / Questions? Here is the place.