Events and Rules:

Biology

Event 1: Construct a 3D model of a neuronal synapse

Must include:

- Presynaptic terminal of axon A

- synaptic cleft

- Postsynaptic terminal of axon B

-At least 2 glial cells (can include myelin )

Artistic Freedom (Extra detail that is not required but still accurate):

-Mylinated or Non-mylinated

- Neurotransmitters

- Length of axons/number of synapses

- number and type of glial cells

Material: material can be anything that does not have the intended purpose of being part of a synaptic model (More artistic freedom)

Taking advantage of artistic freedom and going above just necessary requirements will be scored in the teams' favor.

Event 2: On-the-Spot Bone Challenge

Rules will be provided for this event on-the-spot. Students will need knowledge of the human skeletal system and the bones within it.

Chemistry

Rules for both Chemistry events:

1) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn by participants at all times. PPE includes goggles, gloves, closed-toe shoes, and long pants. Failure to adhere to this rule results in automatic disqualification as safety is paramount in the chem lab. We will provide gloves and goggles for participants.

2) Other than a non-programmable scientific calculator, a chemistry textbook, and a periodic table no outside equipment or resources may be utilized. Participants may bring their own calculator, textbook, and periodic table but these items can be provided if needed.

Event 1: Physical Separations

Students will be given a sample consisting of benzoic acid, iron, sand, and camphor. They will separate the materials using physical techniques. The only equipment needed will be provided and this activity will be done in the laboratories at Henderson State. Each team will determine the % benzoic acid, % iron, % sand, and % camphor in the mixture. The team with the answer closes to the actual solution wins. Teams may consist of 2 to 3 people and should allot 2 hours of time for this activity. Safety is of paramount priority so teams will be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE), which will be provided. Teams WILL be disqualified if members neglect to properly use their PPV!

Event 2: Quantitative Analysis

Students will be provided with a solution of silver nitrate of unknown concentration. They will perform 3 different quantitative analyses to determine the molarity of the silver nitrate solution. The first is a gravimetric technique will utilize the addition of sodium chloride to the solution to precipitate silver chloride. The second technique will utilize redox chemistry by reducing silver out of the solution using a copper wire. The third analysis will utilize colorimetry and Beer's law to determine the unknown concentration. The only equipment needed will be provided and this activity will be done in the laboratories at Henderson State. The molarities obtained from the three analyses will be averaged and the team closest to the actual molarity (to within significant figures) wins. Teams may consist of 2 to 3 people and we should allot 2 hours of time for this activity. Safety is of paramount priority so teams will be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE), which will be provided. Teams WILL be disqualified if members neglect to properly use their PPV!

Physics, Engineering, and Robotics Events:

Robotics: Smart Turret

This event will accomodate the first 8 teams who register for it, as materials will be provided. After registration, you will receive a confirmation that your team will be competing in this event and your Sparkfun Inventor Kit will be shipped to the coach's school.

In this challenge you must program a turret to “fire” at as many LED lights as it can manage to within a three minute time period. Specifications are given below. All necessary materials should be included in or with the Sparkfun Kits provided to you for the event. You will be required to learn the electronics and programming necessary to compete in the event. You may include external resources, but your team is not allowed to include more than $25 worth of external resources, purchased or donated.

LED Setup:

• At the event, a set of seven standard red LEDs will be set up in a semicircular format as shown, one at each 30o angle. Once the clock begins, one LED will light every 5 seconds, in a randomized order.

• You will want to set up a similar randomized LED structure to train your turret before the event.

Turret Setup:

• Your objective will be to have a ‘turret’ in the middle detect the lights when they turn on, and that detection must be indicated with a sound (this is “firing”).

• You may construct and program your turret any way you see fit within the guidelines above, but your turret must use the provided light detector tube for detection.

• Your turret will have three minutes to fire successfully at as many lights as possible.

Scoring:

• Referee A will check your coding to ensure it does not violate the requirements stated above. Any code which does not fit the requirements must either be reprogrammed or must forfeit.

• Referee A will also check for cleanliness of coding and proper commenting in your code. It is not necessary that your team follow a particular coding etiquette, but a score of up to 5 points will be awarded for code legibility.

• Referee B will observe your turret during the firing match, and ensure that precisely one point is applied for every light successfully detected within the three minutes.

• Both referees may consult with HSU Robotics to award extra points for solutions that go above and beyond the criteria.

Physics: Mouse-Trap Car

Students will construct a mouse-trap car using 1 standard mousetrap as the source of propulsion. (That is a victor brand 3 ⅞” x 1 ¾”). The entire build must not exceed $25. A supplies list should be submitted along with the mousetrap car. Donated items should have an estimated value included in this budget.

The weight of the mousetrap car can not exceed 1.5 lbs. Once the car is released from the starting line, it may not be touched or interfered with in any way while traveling.

Students will be judged on the uniqueness of their design and the time it takes the car to travel 10m on a smooth floor. If the car does not cross the finish line, distance will be judged. If cars exceed the distance, they will receive a bonus.

Engineering: On-the-Spot Egg-stronaut

Objective: To protect against the heat of friction, engineers use special insulating blankets, foams, and tiles on the skin of the spacecraft. In this project, you will design and test a 6 inch by 6 inch thermal tile that will protect an egg-stronaut (raw egg) from the heat experienced during reentry.

Description: You will have a budget and a list of materials to select from. You will design and test a 6 inch by 6 inch thermal tile that will protect an egg-stronaut from the heat experienced during reentry by spending your given budget on selected materials. (Select materials and build a tile to protect an egg from the heat of a propane torch for as long as possible with the egg placed approximately 1 inch away from the tile and the heat source 3 inches from the tile.) You must “purchase” materials prior to beginning constructing your tile. You will be given further information when this on-the-spot challenge begins.

Complete your team's registration below: