Science Olympiad 2017
Towers
Presented by Parker Amos
1
The Event
THIS POWERPOINT IS BASED ON EXPERIENCES AND
RESOURCES FROM 2012 AND UPDATED TO THE 2017
RULES.
Goal: The towers events description
is to design and build the most
efficient tower as measured by the
rules.
Scoring:
Each team enters one tower built
prior to the competition.
Score=(L+B)/m
The two students who test the
tower MUST wear #2 eye
protection. YOU CAN’T COMPETE
WITHOUT IT.
B= Load Score Bonus: Towers
spanning the 29 cm diameter circle
receive a 2,000 gram bonus.
The event supervisor provides all
test equipment.
L= Load Supported
m= Mass of Tower
2
Visuals
Towers that are supported totally
outside of circle receive the Load
Score Bonus.
3
Process
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF A GENERAL DESIGN PROCESS
Understand the Mission (Rules)
Tip:
Research the competition
Encourage use of online photos and
guides. The design process is difficult.
The more old concepts the student can
see the more creative they can be.
Brainstorm concepts
Design
Build
Test
Repeat
4
Rules
THE RULES FOR TOWERS ARE VERY SPECIFIC. MAKE MULTIPLE
COPIES SO YOUR STUDENTS CAN CHECK THEIR DESIGN
AGAINST ALL RULES.
Tips:
New- 2017:
Identify all measurements in rules.
Load Scored Bonus
Measure out the concept drawing
and compare directly to the rules.
Teams MUST submit their Load
Scored estimate for the load
supported to be used as a tie
breaker
Building a bit large and sanding
down is much better than building
small.
Build multiple concepts!
Regularly check the sonic.org FAQ
system for rule clarifications.
Ties are broken by this sequence:
•
1. Load Scored estimate closest to
actual Load Scored without going
over Load Scored.
•
2. Lowest Tower mass
5
Resources/
Research
THERE ARE MANY TOOLS FOUND BY A
SIMPLE SEARCH ONLINE THAT WILL HELP
STUDENTS WITH THE DESIGN PROCESS.
SOME OF NOTE ARE BELOW.
https://www.soinc.org/
http://www.scioly.org/
https://www.garrettsbridges.com/
New Mobile Rule App for Android
and iPhone.
6
Brainstorm
THE MORE CONCEPTS AND ITERATIONS A STUDENT TEAM GOES
THROUGH, THE BETTER THEY WILL DO IN THIS EVENT.
Look at examples, both online and
in real life. Note the angles and
joints.
Ask for sketches of concepts based
on what they researched.
Make sure they understand that the
tower that holds the most weight
does not always win.
7
Design
Make sure the student designs are
drawn exactly like they want it
built.
The quality of the drawing will
translate to the quality of the of the
tower.
After checking the design against
the rules, go over lines in pen to
make more visible.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Copy of the Rules
Paper (grids are nice)
Pencil and Pen
Ruler
CAD programs (SketchUp free)
Wax paper
Cover the plans in a non-stick
surface like wax paper so the
students can build/glue the tower
on their plans.
8
Build
Pythagorean Theorem in 3
dimensions may be useful.
Ask conceptual questions: The
angled lower supports will be
taking more load that the top
vertical supports. Ask your
students why that is.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Wood (Recommend Balsa)
Cutting Device
Sanding Surface
Glue (Wood or Super Glue)
Cork Board and Pins
Tape
Encourage research in types of
joints to use in the build.
A frequent failure mode is building
a tower that does not fit the testing
table. Take cardboard and make a
test base that follows the rules that
way the students are not
disqualified immediately at
competition.
9
Testing
Loading block
A GOOD TEAM HAS PRACTICE BEFORE THE
COMPETITION.
THE FIRST TOWER YOUR STUDENTS BUILD
SHOULD NEVER GO TO COMPETITION!
If you can make a full testing
surface do it!
If not, making a gap between 2
tables will do.
Make sure to record a weight!
Take before and after pictures.
If it can hold the max weight then
the design was too strong (and
heavy).
Weight (Sand)
Good work done by Santo ISD
10
Repeat
ENCOURAGE STARTING EARLY, READING
THE RULES, AND TESTING A LOT!
Thanks to Nancy and Alan Kuehner. From Pikeville’s Science Olympiad 2011 Competition.
11
Questions?
Anticipated biggest failure modes:
Results:
Team does not submit a Load
Scored estimate at competition.
Team is dropped to tier 2.
Team does not bring Eye
Protection.
Team does not compete.
Team’s tower does not fit on the
test base or let the loading block fit.
Team is dropped to tier 4.
Team’s tower is not tall enough
[50.0 cm (Div. B) or 60.0 cm (Div.
C)]
Team is dropped to tier 3.
12