Welcome to the 2016 Kansas Science Olympiad
It’s About Time Event Presentation
Presented by
Sean Miller, P.E.
“Science increases our power in proportion as it lowers our pride.”
– Claude Bernard
Event Supervisors
Sean Miller, P.E., M.B.A., LEED AP
Co-Event Supervisor
Director/Energy Engineer - Knipp Energy Services
Stephen Self
Co-Event Supervisor
Wichita State University ME Student
ASHRAE-WSU Student Chapter President
“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”
– Henry Ford
Overview
Event Description
The Rules
Parameters
Construction
Competition
Scoring
Commentary
Design
Types of Devices
What to Expect
Event Procedure
Miscellaneous
History
References
Sponsor
2010 Nationals Video
Closing
Questions & Answers
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.”
– Albert Einstein
Event Description
Part 1
A team of up to two students must design and construct a non-electrical device to measure
time intervals between 10 and 300 seconds. There will be 3-time trials of varying intervals.
Total points possible = 50.
Approximate time: 15-20 minutes
Part 2
Teams will be given a written exam and be asked to answer questions about issues such as
the concept of time, timekeeping, astronomy, physics and mechanics. The exam will be part
multiple choice and part written problems.
Total points possible = 50.
Approximate time: 20-30 minutes
“The joy of engineering is to find a straight line on a double logarithmic scale.”
– Thomas Koenig
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Event Parameters
Notes are allowed only in 3-ring binders and can used during Parts
1&2
Students must bring all materials needed for Part 1 including any
water, sand, tools, goggles, stopwatches(calibration only!), and other
supplies.
Students are allowed, and encouraged, to use calculators on Part 2
only. They do not need to be impounded.
Supervisor will provide equation sheet for Part 2 to students
Each team must impound only one device for the time trials and all
tools needed for calibration, setup and cleanup prior to the
competition.
“There ain’t no rules around here. We are trying to accomplish something.”
– Thomas Alva Edison
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Construction
Timing devices must be constructed prior to the competition and
may not be commercial devices.
Commercial counters, tally devices, timepieces or any parts of either
are not allowed. Balances, scales, test tubes, burets, graduated
cylinders are not considered counters and are allowed.
The device must not contain and electrical or chemical components.
Battery operated scales for determining mass is acceptable.
The device must fit into an 80cm cube at impound. It may be larger
than 80cm once setup for Part 1.
Devices must be constructed to minimize impacts to others.
“There is no adequate defense, except stupidity, against the impact of a new idea.”
– Percy Williams Bridgman
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Competition – Part 1
There will be three time trials, two with preset intervals and a fifth
encompassing all of the intervals. The target time for each interval
will be pre-selected by the supervisor.
Teams will be given 5 minutes to setup and calibrate their devices.
All timing devices must be impounded prior to the start of the time
trials.
Teams will be notified when the trial starts and ends.
All trials will be timed using the audio files provided by the
National Science Olympiad from their website. An example file will
be played prior to Part I for all students.
Teams will have one minute following each trial to determine,
calculate and record the time from their device and prepare for the
next trial.
“Science is the labor and handicraft of the mind.”
– Francis Bacon
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Competition – Part 2
Teams will be given a set amount of time to complete a written test
with questions about issues such as the concept of time, timekeeping,
astronomy, physics, and mechanics.
The approximate time for the exam will be 20-30 minutes.
The exam will consist of at least 5 questions from each of these
areas:
Physics of Modern Timekeeping Devices
Dynamical Systems
Waves & Frequencies
Historical Timekeeping Devices
Time Standards
“More than ever the creation of the ridiculous is almost impossible because of the
competition it receives from reality .”
– Robert A. Baker
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Scoring
Teams will begin with 15 possible points for the first and second
time trials with 20 possible points for the third time trial for a total
possible score of 50 points in Part 1.
Penalty points will be deducted from the initial point value down to
a possible score of 0 per trial. See rules for point deductions.
The Part 2 written test will be worth a total of 50 points.
The highest scoring team minus penalties will be the winner.
Teams may be disqualified and receive 0 points during Part 1 if it is
determined that their devices are unsafe or being operated in an
unsafe manner.
If materials are spilled a 10 point penalty will be assessed to the
team. If the team does not clean up their station a 15 point penalty
will be assessed.
“Theory guides. Experiment decides.”
– Anonymous
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Rules Commentary
Only major rule change was going from 5 to 3 time trials.
Teams must impound their device and all materials!
Teams must be on time to the event. The event will not wait for
late teams.
Teams choosing to participate only in Part 2 of the Event will
receive 0 points for Part 1 of the event.
Teams cannot use their pulse rate to record times for Part I.
“Introductory physics courses are taught at three levels: physics with calculus,
physics without calculus, and physics without physics.”
– Prof. Anon
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Types of Devices
The Pendulum Device
Simple Pendulum:
Where
T = 2pi sq rt (L/g)
T = Period, time for single oscillation
L = length of pendulum
g = local acceleration due to gravity
“Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will
create their own problems.”
– Scott Adams
Types of Devices
The Oscillating Spring Device
Hooke’s Law: F = -kx
Where
F = Restoring force exerted by the material
k = force or spring constant
x = displacement of the end of the spring from equilibrium
Frequency of spring: f = 1/2pi x sq rt (k/m)
Where
f = Frequency, number of cycles per unit of tme
k = force or spring constant
m = mass attached to end of spring
Period: T = 1/f
Where
f = Frequency
T = Period, time for single oscillation
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off of the
goal.”
– Henry Ford
Types of Devices
The Water Clock Device (Clepsydra-”water thief”)
Sand Clock
“Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.”
– James A. Michener
Event Procedure
Time sensitive event
5 minute setup and calibration
Part 1 Time Trials: 15 to 20 minutes
Recording and reset time of 1 minute per trial
Part 2 Written Exam: 20 to 30 minutes
Horology
Springs, Pendulums and Gears
Astronomy
“A scientist studies what is, an engineer studies what never was.”
– Anonymous
History
Fun Facts
2016 is 12th year of the It’s About Time Event
The event previously ran from 1990 to 1997 and again in 2009-2010
Kansas teams finished 52nd in the event at the 2015 National Science
Olympiad, 31st & 43rd in the event at the 2010 National Science Olympiad
and Kansas teams finished 25th and 46th in the event at the 2009 National
Science Olympiad
Manhattan High School was 2015 State Champion in Event.
“Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never
been.”
– Albert Einstein
References
Internet Links
National Science Olympiad It’s About Time Event FAQ
http://soinc.org/its_about_time_c
SCIOLY Student It’s About Time Wiki
http://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/It%27s_About_Time
National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
http://www.nawcc.org/
National Institute of Standards and Technology
http://www.nist.gov/index.html
NIST Walk Through Time
http://physics.nist.gov/GenInt/Time/time.html
All About Gears
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear
“One has to watch out for engineers - they begin with the sewing machine and end up with the
atomic bomb. “
– Marcel Pagnol
Sponsors
The local Chapter of ASHRAE was founded in
1952. Our membership includes engineers,
contractors, scientists, students and teachers.
The Wichita Chapter has over 130 professional
members and over 50 student members from
both Wichita State University and the Wichita
Area Technical College.
ASHRAE-Wichita Chapter is the “unofficial”
sponsor of the It’s About Time Event for the
Kansas State Tournament.
What is ASHRAE?
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration &
Air-Conditioning Engineers
Mission Statement
To advance the arts and sciences of HVAC&R to
serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.
Worldwide ASHRAE has 52,000 members in 130
different countries.
Our Chapter ranked 3rd in the world out of 170
chapters each of the last two years based on
ASHRAE scoring criteria taking into account
membership involvement, sustainability work
and community activism.
www.ashrae-wichita.org
“All of physics is either impossible or trivial. It is impossible until you
understand it, and then it becomes trivial.”
– Ernest Rutherford
Email us with any questions or comments. We particularly
like good comments. Good luck and see you all in April for
the 2016 Kansas State event.
[email protected]
” The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go
wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong, it usually turns out to be
impossible to get at and repair.”
– Douglas Adams