Detailed Events Descriptions

knowledge may be tested at stations where actual specimens may be observed or in some circumstances pictures may be examined.

Anatomy (B) - Teams will be tested on their knowledge of anatomy and health concepts as they are related to the structure and function of the skeletal system and the effects of aging and diseases on them. This event may be presented in the form of a paper/pencil style academic test, but may also consist of a series of timed lab stations each with specimens for analysis.

Bio-Process Lab (B) - Teams will demonstrate biology laboratory skills related to selected topics at a series of stations. Students will be required to use tools and instruments commonly used in biological research to make observations, collect data, perform calculations, and draw conclusions.

Compute This (B) - Teams will be presented with a problem which requires quantitative data capture from the Internet and the presentation of data in a graphical format with the use of a computer on site. Students will then be required to answer a series of questions relating to the data set which they have collected and analyzed. This year students will collect data from the United States Geological Survey web domain (www.USGS.gov)

Crave the Wave (B) - Students will demonstrate their understanding of waves and wave motion. This event will incorporate a mixture problem solving questions requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of introductory wave concepts and hands on tasks. Some questions may ask students to use mathematics to problem solve.

Disease Detective (B/C) - This event requires students to apply principles of epidemiology to a published report of a real-life health situation or problem related to how population growth impacts public health. The Centers for Disease Control is the official national sponsor for this event. More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/excite

Dynamic Planet (B/C) - Teams will work at stations that display a variety of earth science materials and related earth science questions with special emphasis placed on earthquakes and volcanoes.

Ecology (B/C) - Students will answer questions involving content knowledge and process skills in the area of ecology and adaptation by examining different ecosystems. This year special emphasis will be placed on grassland and desert ecology.

Elevated Bridge (B/C) - Teams will design, build & test the bridge with the greatest efficiency. The efficiency of the bridge is equal to the mass of the load it successfully held divided by the mass of the bridge. Bridges are constructed from wood such as balsa or bass as explained fully in the official rules. The design and build phase will take place at home or in the classroom while the testing phase is conducted onsite at the competition.

Environmental Chemistry (B/C) - Teams will be asked questions pertaining to environmental chemistry, which may include chemical reactions, characterization, and quantification. This year students will be required to analyze the chemical makeup of soils and predict the maximum yield of certain plants if grown in those soils. This event is a lab based event.

Experimental Design (B/C) - Given a set of unknown objects, teams will design, conduct, analyze and write-up a valid experiment which contains a set of variables, constants, and control.

Fossils (B/C) - Students will identify, describe, and classify various fossil specimens at a series of stations. A list of all possible fossils that will be used in this event may be found on the national event resources page for fossils at http://soinc.org/fossils_c

Meteorology (B) - This event involves the use of process skills as applied to the field of meteorology. Students will demonstrate their understanding of earth and planetary systems that impact climate. Emphasis will be placed on how changing conditions on earth have contributed to climate change in the past and ongoing changes to Earth’s climate today.

Pentathlon (B) - Teams will compete in an academic pentathlon to demonstrate their overall understanding of five major science content areas (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science and the Nature of Science).

Physical Science Lab (B) – Teams will demonstrate physics laboratory skills related to alternative energy sources. Students will build a wind driven propeller capable of generating voltage when exposed to wind currents.

Reach for the Stars (B) - Teams will identify stars, constellations, and deep sky objects and be knowledgeable about their evolutionary stages. This event may include a series of stations requiring students to demonstrate process skills in this area observation of stellar phenomena from inside a planetarium.

Road Scholar (B) - Requires the accurate interpretation and understanding of various map features using a variety of road and topographic maps. Students must also generate their own map using a map scale, the public land survey system and USGS official map symbols.

Robo-Cross (B) - Students will design and build a robot capable of performing certain tasks. This year’s task involves moving prescribed items into various scoring areas on an outlined playing field. Competitors earn points for each item moved into a scoring zone.

Science Crime Busters (B) – Teams will identify the perpetrators of a crime or crimes by using paper chromatography and analysis of unknown solids, liquids, and plastics found at the scene of a crime. This is a lab based event that may include a series of stations. The use of forensic equipment including a microscope is required during evidence analysis.

Scrambler (B) - Teams will design and build a mechanical device which uses the energy from a falling mass to transport a Grade A uncooked chicken egg along a straight track. A wall has been placed directly at the end of the track. Teams earn the most points if their scrambler comes closest to the wall without breaking the egg. The scrambler is designed and built and pretested prior to competition. Official scoring takes place on competition day.

Trajectory (B/C) - Teams will design, construct, calibrate and operate a device capable of launching a projectile into a target using energy provided by nonmetallic elastic solids. The design and construction occurs prior to competition but final testing occurs in competition phase.
Wright Stuff (B) - Teams will design and build a rubber band propelled aerodynamic device. Teams earn points based on their device’s time aloft.

Write It/Do It (B/C) - A technical writing exercise where students write a description of a contraption and other students will attempt to recreate it using only the written description from a duplicate set of pieces.