virginia science olympiad 2009 coaches clinic division c inquiry events
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Virginia Science Virginia Science OlympiadOlympiad
2009 Coaches ClinicDivision C
Inquiry Events
Write It/ Do ItWrite It/ Do ItThe purpose of this event is to test the ability
of two team members to communicate instructions for building a device or structure.
Model structures may use almost any regular everyday household/classroom items, from office supplies to legos or other blocks.
Write It/ Do It- Write It/ Do It- the competitionthe competition
Each partner is isolated from the other generally in different rooms
The role of partner 1 is to write clear and concise directions for building a structure or device that he/she is observing
The writer has 25 minutes to write all necessary directions
The role of the 2nd partner is to read the directions written by partner 1 and attempt to recreate the structure or device as described
The builder has 20 minutes to build
Write It/ Do It- Write It/ Do It- Writer TipsWriter Tips
Bring a writing instrument Write the description as a series of numbered steps that
the builder should take to build the structure or device Check to be sure that each step logically follows the next Use descriptors like color, shape, and orientation of pieces
to assist the builder in putting the pieces together correctly
Written description may only contain words and numerals, no symbols, drawings and diagrams are not allowed.
Every few steps clearly note what the structure should look like at that point in building, to help the writer know he/she is on the right track
Write It/ Do It- Write It/ Do It- Builder TipsBuilder Tips
Bring a writing instrumentBriefly read through the entire description
first If a materials list was provided by the writer
then compare each of the materials on the list with those that are present at the station
Begin building carefully, rechecking piece after piece
Pace yourself…..20 minutes goes quickly
Write It/ Do It- Write It/ Do It- ScoringScoring
A point is earned for each piece(s) that have been properly connected and in the proper location as in the original model.
The team who builds the structure or device closest to the original wins.
Use of codes or symbols is not permitted, except for those that may be created by pressing any of the 101 standard keys on a keyboard + the shift button. A 5% penalty is assessed.
Tiebreaker- time for the construction phase
Experimental DesignExperimental DesignA group of up to 3 students per team are
given a problem question around which they must design and carry out an experiment using only the materials that they have been provided. They then must analyze the data collected and draw up a summary of their findings.
Experimental Design-Experimental Design-the competitionthe competition
Supervisor provides each team with a bag of identical materials or sets up a central supply area where each team can pick up their supplies.
Supervisor will provide all teams with a problem question designed to narrow the scope of the experiments generated
The experiment conducted MUST explore the relationship between an independent and dependent variable.
Supervisor will provide students with an answer packet in which they will record their results and wright up their experiment.
Teams must use at least 2 of the materials
Experimental Design-Experimental Design-the DO’sthe DO’s
Students must bring goggles and a writing instrument
Students should also bring a timer, ruler, and a non-programmable calculator
Keep the experiment simple, elaboration invites difficulties to come up
Split up the tasks, while some members of the group are running the experiment another member may begin writing up the beginning of the report
The group needs to pace themselves carefully otherwise time may run out
Experimental Design-Experimental Design-the Don’tsthe Don’ts
Do not leave out a section on the lab writeup unless you are completely unsure what belongs in that spot
Don’t write a half procedure or write only half the variable information etc.. Be clear so that anyone could replicate this experiment
Experimental Design-Experimental Design-ScoringScoring
All experimental design writeups will be scored according to the same distribution of points as written at the bottom of the rules page
The team with the highest total points winsTiebreakers-total points for
◦ 1-variables◦ 2-procedure◦ 3-analysis of results◦ 4-graph◦ 5-data table
Experimental Design-Experimental Design-ExampleExample
Using the materials listed below design an experiment that explores rotational motion.
Materials-◦ 1 hula hoop◦ 1 tennis ball◦ 1 ping pong ball◦ 30cm of masking tape◦ 1 meter stick
Picture ThisPicture This Challenges students to be able to explain various concepts
in science using clues in diagrams and pictures with no verbal or other visual clues.
Picture This- Picture This- the competitionthe competition
Students work in a group of up to 3 students. Each member of the group takes a turn at being the
concept sketcher (one who attempts to draw the science concept/word)
The other two group members must try to guess the word/concept that is being drawn
The team has a total of 4 minutes to try and work through and guess 25 different terms
Each team will be given the same 25 terms in the same order
Sketcher will usually draw on paper set on an easel (paper is kept for supervisor purposes)
Picture This- Picture This- Do’sDo’s
Have all 3 students in the group regularly practice both roles throughout the year
Sketcher should “pass” the term if he/she really has no clue or does not believe they can draw it
The sketcher should only give visual clues of acceptance or rejection of guesses as directed by the supervisor
The sketcher may use the (-) to indicate a word which needs to be shortened or a (+) to indicate a word that needs to be expanded
Arrows are the only other symbols that may be used If the concept or science word is a phrase then the sketcher
may write down on the paper if one of the words has been guessed correctly ONLY AFTER THE SUPERVISOR ACKNOWLEDGES IT
During the four minutes each person rotates one at a time to be the sketcher
Picture This- Picture This- Don’tsDon’ts
The sketcher should not use any additional symbols as well as no letters or numbers in the clue drawings
Don’t pass a word unless you are willing to give it up completely, once passed teams cannot go back to a word
No variations of the clue word will be accepted unless it is the singular or plural form of the word
Picture This- Picture This- ScoringScoring
1 point is earned for each word guessed correctly Tiebreakers-
◦ 1-team that passes the fewest terms◦ 2-shortest period of time to complete list (time begins when the first
sketcher is shown the first word)◦ 3-team with longest string of correct terms◦ 4-team who correctly identifies the first term in a string of words not
identfied by another team
Picture This- Picture This- Suggestions for PracticeSuggestions for Practice
This is a great event for the entire team to work on together
Have students generate lists of common vocabulary using basic texts from the four core sciences
Use whiteboards for drawing to save paper
Technical Problem SolvingTechnical Problem Solving Students will visit a series of up to 5 lab stations that will
require them to use mathematics, and science reasoning skills to solve a number of different problems that stem from all areas of science including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. In this event probes will be used at a minimum of 1 station at the state level of competition.
Technical Problem Solving- Technical Problem Solving- the competitionthe competition
Students work as a pair Series of up to 5 lab stations will be set up Each station will require that students do the following:
◦ Use mathematical expressions◦ Apply statistical analysis◦ Use correct metric units if making measurements◦ Use correct significant figures
At least one station at the state competition will use probeware. Possible probes include:◦ Temperature, voltage, light, gas pressure, pH, motion detector,
photogate Data will be collected and analyzed
Technical Problem Solving- Technical Problem Solving- the Do’sthe Do’s
Bring a non-programmable, non-graphing calculator and chemical splash goggles
Team members for this event should have completed up through physics
Students should show all equations that they used to solve any of the problems on their answer sheet
Technical Problem Solving- Technical Problem Solving- the Don’tsthe Don’ts
Don’t bring any additional resources, the supervisor will provide any lab equipment and in some cases a list of equations/formulas
Don’t put students on this event who have not completed at least 3 years of HS science, unless absolutely necessary
Technical Problem Solving- Technical Problem Solving- ScoringScoring
Each problem question will carry an assigned point value based on the level of difficulty
Points are awarded based upon a correct response Points deducted for:
◦ Improper metric units if measuring◦ Improper sig figs
No points given for answers not supported by the data and calculations
Tiebreaker-will be selected problems determined by the supervisor in advance
Technical Problem Solving- Technical Problem Solving- Suggestions for PracticeSuggestions for Practice
Look online for old practical data gathering event tests, these questions could be examples of things students could see
The sky is the limit