Reach for the Stars/Astronomy (B/C):

Sat, Oct 27

          Similar to Astronomy (Astronomy requires more math, but they have more

                        resources)

            Study 22 objects listed in rules

Make flash cards to identify constellations, deep sky objects and patterns of stars on the list

            Know stellar evolution

            Know the HR diagram

            Know star properties

            Allowed a one-page double-sided cheat sheet - need to know the information

                        well - Making the cheat sheet will help them to learn the information

Astronomy Coaches Manual CD is a good resource for pictures - can be found on order form in middle of Coaches Rule Manual

            Western Field Guide is a good resource

 

 

     Reach for the Stars Resources/Astronomy:

     http://fso.creol.ucf.edu/conference

          User Name conference   Password cc2007

          West - San Francisco Oct 5-6, 2007

          Astronomy/Reach for the Stars

          Astro RSF mats.doc (constellations, diagrams, sample questions)

 

 

     Science Olympiad San Francisco, Oct 5, 2007

     Session #2: REACH FOR THE STARS (B Event) Notes from Andy Pollaehne

 

Students will demonstrate an understanding and basic knowledge of: Properties and evolution of sun-sized and massive stars.

            Open clusters

            Globular clusters

            Normal and star-forming galaxies

 

The only resource permitted is a 8.5” x 11” paper double-sided sheet of notes. Can be computer generated or handwritten

 

Things to know:

            Names of the 22 constellations in the rules

            Names of the 16 stars and nebula mentioned in the rules

            Understand the H-R diagram

            Spectral classification of stars and stellar evolution stages (I.E. Our Sun is a

                        G2, main sequence star, Hydrogen burning stage )

            Stellar evolution of stars

            Galactic types and structure with an emphasis on star-formation regions

            Variable stars

            Identify photos of the above items

 

Build flash cards for the constellations and Messier objects.

 

Wikipedia is a fabulous resource

http://chandra.harvard.edu/edu/formal/stellar_cycle/

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lifecycles/Imagine2.pdf

http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/Heliosphere.shtml

http://www.milky-way.com/gb/sevol.htm

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/astro101/java/evolve/evolve.htm

 

 

Set monthly goals for students to reach.

            Build constellation flash cards

            Build stellar flash cards

            H-R diagram flash cards

            Stellar evolution flash cards

            You get the idea…..

 

 

 

Remote Sensing ( C):

Sat, Oct 27

          Warm up with earth pictures

            Know Mars history & geology

            Make sure students find their own picture

            Know how poles look at different seasons

            Know technology of Mars terrain vehicle and satellites

            Calculate slope (elevation vs. distance)

 

          Remote Sensing Notes from Trish Wade

          Coaches Conference in San Francisco

Students should be able to research photos (google info in questions from test)Students should know basic info on MarsHistory Geology

Pictures

How to approach Remote Sensing

Students read, use Earth to practice

Learn to recognize land forms

Learn about Mars geology & geography

Make a collection of pictures – be sure to copy captions about pictures

Rules

Martian Terrain Analysis

Canyons, valleys, etc

Satellite Imagery

Technology side

True color, false color, infra red, radar

Mars exploration

Why are we there?

Different missions

Very basic understanding

What does an orbital do?

What does a lander do?

Determine distance other measurements

Establish scale & measure distance

Event supervisor should provide scale

Utilizing Mars’ coordinate system

Similar to earth

Slope

Find out elevation

Find out distance

Slope = change in elevation/change in distance

Seasons

Notice differences in frost levels in North & South poles

They are not the same (Poles)

Geologic Eras

Students should memorize

 

 

Road Scholar (B):

Aug 1-3 Notes from Science Olympiad Teacher Training Camp (Nancy Nelson)

Maps – you’ll want your fastest readers who are good at math

Use the rules

Get the Coaches handbook for Road scholar and let students teach themselves

Supplies: rulers, compasses – round (Azamus 360 degrees), string, topal maps

 

 

Robot Ramble ( C):

Fri, Oct 26

Made out of chassy from remote/wire control car

                        Use components such as K’Nex, Lego Mind Storm

                        Wire can’t touch items on the playing field

                        Robot must fit inside qualifying cube (used to measure size of robot)

                        Make cube that is the size of the qualifying cube to measure robot as you

                                    are building it, to ensure the robot will fit in the qualifying cube

                        If a part of the robot falls (a part of the robot that extends) AFTER the

                                    qualifying cube is removed, the robot still qualifies

                        The robot may self-activate a change in form or size

                        Try prior to competition by practicing with a box

                        Balloons (2 red, 2 blue, 9 inches) are provided at the time of competition

All balloons have to fit inside box on playing field, so teams must find the right size to blow the balloon up to (practice this before competition)

                        Practice and focus on parts of the competition that will earn the most

                                    points

 

Robo-Cross (B):

Sat, Oct 27

            Move your goal closer to the center

            Tip goal over and push things in the goal

            D-cell batteries are the most points

            Sweeping is a good idea

            Keep it simple is best way

            Can use Lego mind storm, remote control cars- build robot over the top

            Tracked wheels to go over the lip

 

          Robo-Cross/Robot Ramble Resources:

          http://fso.creol.ucf.edu/conference

                              User Name conference   Password cc2007

                              West - San Francisco Oct 5-6, 2007

                              Robo-Cross

                              RoboCross Playing Field

                              Robot Ramble Playing Field

                              Robotics Links.doc

 

          Robot Ramble Notes from Trish Wade

          Coaches Conference in San Francisco

 

          Slideshow from Robot Ramble/Robocross presentation can be found at

            http://cs.stanford.edu/~acoates

 

            Science Olympiad San Francisco, Oct 6, 2007

          Session #7: ROBO-CROSS (B Event) Notes from Andy Pollaehne

 

Materials:

            Each team may impound only one robot.

            Team’s name must be on robot and legible.

            Robot will be built before impoundment.

            Robot can be remotely controlled by radio control, infrared, or by a control box

                        with wires leading to the robot.

            Batteries used in the controller shall be as stipulated by manufacturer without

                        modification OR Controllers constructed by competitors shall be

                        powered by a battery not exceeding 9.6 volts.

            Robot must fit inside a 30cm x 30cm x30cm cube with the exception of control

                        wires.

            Power only by electrical, elastic, or gravitational energy. No hydraulics,

                        pneumatics and fluidics to power robots.

            Each robot circuit must be energized by one or more batteries which do not

                        exceed 9.6 volts.

            Each function can be a separate circuit with independent source of electrical

                        energy and controls

            Normal RC radio frequencies are only frequencies allowed:

                        75 MHz

                        27 MHz

                        49 MHz

Playing Field:

4’ x 4’ masonite (smooth side up) with 1.5” perimeter lip

4 zones

            11/16” quarter round molding will separate “D” zone from other 4 zones.

                        Rounded face will be facing zones “A” and “C” 

            Zone “A” will contain the starting position of the robot.

            Zone “B” will contain all scorable items at the beginning of competition:

                        4 Ping-Pong Balls

                        4 D-Cell Batteries

                        1 Tennis Ball

                        4 Lego Blocks (4x2) Zone “D” will contain an empty 11.5 oz coffee can with the top removed, bottom intact, and label removed. This goal will be place in the outside corner.

 

Competition:

            Robots and controllers must be impounded.

            Robot must start in outside corner of zone “A”.

            Robot must fit inside qualifying cube to score on first tier.

            At this point students may not touch robot until their run is completed.

            Students will remove qualifying cube. After qualifying cube is removed, the

                        robot may self activate a change in size or shape (not start). Changes

                        may not be activated mechanically or electronically by the student until

                        the competition begins.

            Judge verifies timers and students ready. Judge says “1,2,3 Go”

            Teams are allowed 3 minutes to complete task.

            Competition will stop when any of the following occur:

                        3 minutes has elapsed from the word “Go”

                        The team says “Stop”

                        Any part of the goal box is out of bounds

                        The team touches the robot

                        Robot is physically moved by wires connecting it to the control box

                        A team member steps on the playing field after team has received a

                                    warning

            Robot may move goal, but the goal must remain inside the playing field.

            Control wires moving a scorable item disqualifies that item from score.

            Robot parts or entire robot may end up in goal without penalty.

            Controller must be set down on floor immediately upon calling of time.

 

Scoring:

Max score of 108 points

            Robot at end of competition is completely in:

                        Zone B = 3 points

                        Zone C = 5 points

                        Zone D or the Goal = 15 points

 

            Points for items moved to the following areas:

                        4 Ping-Pong Balls:

                                    Zone C = 1 point per ball in zone

                                    Zone D = 2 points per ball in zone

                                    Goal = 3 points per ball in can

                        4 Lego Blocks:

                                    Zone C = 2 points per block in zone

                                    Zone D = 4 points per block in zone

                                    Goal = 6 points per block in can

                        4 D-Cell Batteries:

                                    Zone C = 4 points per battery in zone

                                    Zone D = 8 points per battery in zone

                                    Goal = 12 points per battery in can

                        1 Tennis Ball:

                                    Zone C = 3 points

                                    Zone D = 6 points

                                    Goal = 9 points

            Points may be earned in one location only

            Any scorable item on the line or straddling two zones will receive the lesser

                        score.

            A scorable item that touches the floor outside the playing field at any time, even

                        if it is under the control of the robot is out of play. No points!

            If any part of the goal is out of bounds, the scorable items within will have no

                        point value.

            Tiebreaker:

                        Highest points wins.

                        If two teams get maximum points then best time wins.

                        If points are maxed and time is equal then lightest robot wins.

            

 

 

Rocks & Minerals (B/C):

Sat, Oct 27

 

          Rocks & Minerals Resources:

          http://fso.creol.ucf.edu/conference

          User Name conference   Password cc2007

          West - San Francisco Oct 5-6, 2007

          Rocks & Minerals

                    RocksMinsResources.doc

                              (Online resources, books and specimen sources)

                    RxMins07BARSO.doc (sample station questions)

                    RxMins07BARSO key.doc (answer key to sample station questions)