1. Virginia Science Olympiad
2009 Coaches Clinic
Division C
Inquiry Events
Picture This
Technical Problem
Solving
Experimental Design
Write It/ Do It

2. Write It/ Do It
The 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.

3. Write It/ Do It- the 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

4. Write It/ Do It- Writer 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

5. Write It/ Do It- Builder Tips
Bring a writing instrument
Briefly 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

6. Write It/ Do It- Scoring
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

7. Experimental Design
A 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.

8. Experimental Design-the 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

9. Experimental Design-the 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

10. Experimental Design-the 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

11. Experimental Design-Scoring
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 wins
Tiebreakers-total points for
1-variables
2-procedure
3-analysis of results
4-graph
5-data table

12. Experimental Design-Example
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

13. Picture 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.

14. Picture This- the 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)

15. Picture This- Do’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

16. Picture This- Don’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

17. Picture This- Scoring
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

18. Picture This- Suggestions 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

19. Technical 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.

20. Technical Problem Solving- the 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

21. Technical Problem Solving- the 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

22. Technical Problem Solving- the 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

23. Technical Problem Solving- Scoring
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

24. Technical Problem Solving- Suggestions 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