Simple Machines B/Compound Machines C

[chalker]

Agreed that the device testing will be more complicated this year and to accomplish this quickly is proving to be a fantastic challenge. Top ten teams at nats had an average time of 28.35 seconds, but the exam score and accuracy of device cannot be ignored in the determination of their rank. Top 10 teams scored from 44.5-47.3 on the exam portion (out of 50). Top 10 teams had a final score ranging from 91.63-94.66. Ultimately, the margins were extremely narrow- like many of the events at nats.

Please keep in mind that we don't write the rules for the sake of the top 10 teams at Nationals. We write them for the other 6000+ teams that compete in the event across the country. We want events to be approachable and educational for the majority of those, and if possible have enough challenge or 'special' parts to help differentiate the top teams at Nationals. Hence, I'm still interested in hearing why anyone thinks they are "too easy".

[JonB]

Agreed that the device testing will be more complicated this year and to accomplish this quickly is proving to be a fantastic challenge. Top ten teams at nats had an average time of 28.35 seconds, but the exam score and accuracy of device cannot be ignored in the determination of their rank. Top 10 teams scored from 44.5-47.3 on the exam portion (out of 50). Top 10 teams had a final score ranging from 91.63-94.66. Ultimately, the margins were extremely narrow- like many of the events at nats.

Please keep in mind that we don't write the rules for the sake of the top 10 teams at Nationals. We write them for the other 6000+ teams that compete in the event across the country. We want events to be approachable and educational for the majority of those, and if possible have enough challenge or 'special' parts to help differentiate the top teams at Nationals. Hence, I'm still interested in hearing why anyone thinks they are "too easy".

I completely agree with you on this- I was just responding to the previous post asking about results at Nats. I do not think there is anything easy about the division C event this year. However, I think there will be a greater amount of (creative) methods this year than last, which I am very excited to see.

[gruck]

And, as with last year, the rules are still too easy

I'm curious why you think that. We had a really good spread of scores at Nationals last year, and device testing is going to be quite a bit more complicated this year.

The rules allow for many degrees of difficulty in the events and the challenge in preparing the Written Test is to have a distribution of difficulty in the questions. Any team making an honest effort to prepare should be able to correctly solve some of the problems and other problems should be more difficult to differentiate amongst the better teams.

This year, the only difference between Region, State , and National is the permitted mass ratio. No new or expanded topics are added to the Exam portion although it is possible the problems could be made more difficult. I would like to see the scope of the event expand at the higher levels (include Screws in Simple Machines, add some of the prohibited topics in Compound Machines. and perhaps add some history)

Compound Machines Regional and State Event Supervisor

[Unome]

And, as with last year, the rules are still too easy

I'm curious why you think that. We had a really good spread of scores at Nationals last year, and device testing is going to be quite a bit more complicated this year.

The rules allow for many degrees of difficulty in the events and the challenge in preparing the Written Test is to have a distribution of difficulty in the questions. Any team making an honest effort to prepare should be able to correctly solve some of the problems and other problems should be more difficult to differentiate amongst the better teams.

This year, the only difference between Region, State , and National is the permitted mass ratio. No new or expanded topics are added to the Exam portion although it is possible the problems could be made more difficult. I would like to see the scope of the event expand at the higher levels (include Screws in Simple Machines, add some of the prohibited topics in Compound Machines. and perhaps add some history)

Compound Machines Regional and State Event Supervisor

I definitely agree with you there. Perhaps the problem here is that none of the supervisors seem to care enough to write a test longer than 10 questions.

[slytherin]

How should i make a lever? ive never done this event before so help is appreciated...

[Unome]

How should i make a lever? ive never done this event before so help is appreciated...

Just stick together some blocks of wood, and attach a beam (It worked for us, and as long is the beam balances well, your score is dependent mostly on your skill).

[tagfam]

Can we use a kit from Ward's for this lever? Or are the kids only for practice purposes?

[JonB]

Can we use a kit from Ward's for this lever? Or are the kids only for practice purposes?

You can save a great deal of money and not buy a kit for this event (not that there is anything wrong with the kit, but it is in no way necessary).

[Eggo]

I definitely suggest making it yourself.

[chalker]

Can we use a kit from Ward's for this lever? Or are the kids only for practice purposes?

The kits from Ward's can definitely be utilized in the competition if you'd like.