1. Optics Physics Events Melissa Booker Physics Teacher
Robinson Secondary

2. Event Format Part I—Test on Geometric and Physical Optics
Part II—Laser Shoot
Basics—Kids need to figure out where to place to mirror so that a laser beam will travel around a barrier to a target

3. Event Parameters
Competitors may bring tape measurers, rulers, protractors, and use any type of calculator for use during the competition
All reference materials to be used during the competition must be secured in a 3-ring binder; materials must be 3-hole punched so that nothing can fall out.

4. Laser Shoot Parameters
561 cm x 10.0 0.5cm x 35 1cm
Barrier along the center line, 2-4cm in width
Two mirrors
Target along back

5. Wind Power

6. Event Format Part I—Test on Wind Power and the physics of wind power
Part II—Student pre-built blade assembly is tested on CD motor apparatus; maximum current generated (in mA) recorded

7. Event Parameters 20” box multispeed fan Support stand Clamp
LOAD RESISTOR of  applied to everyone’s device (same applied by event supervisor to everyone)
Spring-load type CD clip found on PORTABLE BATTERY POWERED CD PLAYERS

8. Blade Assembly Parameters
Must be mounted to a CD so that it can fit on the CD motor assembly
Blades must be between cm long
CD may be cut, but inside ring that attaches to motor must remain intact

9. Earth and Space Science Events 2011
Astronomy

10. General Format
Typically in test format although this year it specifies that it may include one or more stations
Likewise, may be shown objects to identify through powerpoint

11. Event Parameters Laptop OR 3-ring binder (any size)
Materials in binder MUST be hole-punched and inserted into the rings (notebook sleeves allowed)
Programmable Calculator allowed
Internet access is NOT allowed

12. Topics for 2011 Quasars Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs)
Galaxy Clusters & Groups of Galaxies
Star Formation
SUPERMASSIVE Blackholes
Galactic Structure
Globular Clusters
Type Ia & Type II Supernovae
Eclipsing Binaries
X-ray Binaries

13. Some Deep Space Objects
Epsilon Aurigae (Eclipsing Binary/Argol Variable)
NGC 6240 (Two galaxies colliding, each with a supermassive blackhole at center)
3C321 (System of two galaxies rotating around each other) “Death Star Galaxy”
supermassive blackhole
Cen(taurus) A (lenticular galaxy)
Radio galaxyactive galactic nucleus
Stephan’s Quintet (5 visually linked galaxies, 4 form galaxy group)
MACSJ0717 (Galaxy cluster)
Bullet Cluster (two colliding galaxies, evidence for dark matter)
Perseus A (Seyfert galaxy)

14. Possible Tasks
Analysis multiple wavelength images of the DSO’s (should have each DSO in multiple wavelength images)
Analysis of light curves (Cepheids, RR Lyrae, Type Ia Superova) with distance calculations (Period-Luminosity, distance modulus)
Analysis of spectra—Doppler shift and Doppler broadening
Orbital Motion of Binaries
Cosmological Distances (Parallax, Distance Modulus, Cepheids, Type Ia Superova, Red shift and Hubble’s law)

15. Dynamic Planet

16. General Format
Test format, although may include stations

17. Event Parameter Allowed four (4), double-side 8.5”x11” pages of notes
Allowed up to two (2) non-graphing calculators.

18. Topics Earth’s Fresh Waters Interpret USGS topo maps
Stream drainage systems
Channel types
Sediment
River valley forms and processes
Perennial & intermittent stream flow
Groundwater
Karst features
Lake formation and types, lake features
Wetlands
Dams and levees
Hydrologic cycle
Pollution

19. Tasks Analysis of features on topo map Water table contour map
Watershed boundaries, elevation, gradient, direction of flow, drainage pattern, valley shapes, erosional landscapes, depositional features
Water table contour map
Indicate direction of groundwater movement
Analysis of data on thermal structure of a lake
Determine how stratification changes seasonally

20. Fossils

21. Event Format Stations—Emphasis on Fossil Identification
Given a set amount of time to move between stations; cannot return to a station
Answer questions about classification, habitat, ecologic relationship, behaviors, dating and correlating rocks

22. Event Parameters Allowed one (1) magnifying glass
Allowed one (1) published field guide
Allowed one 3-ring binder (any size)
Materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings

23. Topics Conditions required for fossilization Modes of preservation
Relative dating
Absolute dating
Radiometric, half-life, carbon dating
Geologic time scale
Index Fossils
Fossils bearing sedimentary rocks
Modes of life
Environments
Mineral and organic compounds of skeletons
Taxonomic hierarchy
Features of major fossil groups
Major paleontological events

24. Know and tab the list!
Students should tab in their guide each fossil on the 2011 fossil list
Students should know index fossils and the geologic period during which it thrived
Buy a fossil kit and have kids practice!

25. Remote sensing

26. Event Format Event Parameters Tests or stations
Allowed up to five (5) two-sided 8.5” x 11” sheets of paper containing information from any source
Allowed metric ruler, protractor, triangle
Allowed any kind of non-graphing calculator

27. Topic: Human Impact on the Environment
Causes, consequences & evidence for human impact on the environment
Analyze and interpret remote sensing images
Math computations to analyze or express quantitative data
Understand concepts and terms related to the sustainability of the terrestrial, oceanic, and atmospheric environments on earth
Development and resource extraction
Radiative balance of atmosphere
Natural and man-made sources of greenhouse gases
Changes in land, atmospheric, and oceanic temperatures
Carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles
Understand principles of satellite imagery
Interpret digital data presented numerical on a grid

28. Resources Science Olympiad Store—Remote Sensing CD NASA UCAR
(Tutorial on Remote Sensing)
(Dynamic Earth--NASA Our Ever-Changing Planet)
(NASA Looks at Earth)
UCAR