IT’S ABOUT TIME
See General Rules, Eye Protection & other Policies on [Link] as they apply to every event.
1. DESCRIPTION: Teams will answer questions related to time and they may construct and bring one non-
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: None IMPOUND: Yes APPROX. TIME:
2. EVENT PARAMETERS:
a. The event supervisor must hide from view any clocks present in the competition room.
b.
source attached using the available rings. Sheet protectors, lamination, tabs and labels are permitted.
Participants may remove information or pages for their use during any part of the event.
c. Each team may also bring tools, supplies, writing utensils, and two stand-alone calculators of any type
for use during any part of the event. These items need not be impounded.
d. Each team must impound only one device and all components that are integral to its operation (e.g.
to set up, calibrate, and clean up (e.g. tools, clean-up supplies, reference materials, other time keeping
e.
assistance. The device may be larger after setting up for Part II.
f. The device must be designed and operated in such a way that it does not damage or alter the competition
area.
g. Participants must be able to answer questions regarding the design, construction, and operation of the
device per the Building Policy found on [Link].
h. The device must be constructed to be able to provide a distinct audible and/or visual signal at the end of
a time interval set by the competitor.
i. Prior to competition, teams must calibrate devices by preparing graphs/tables showing the relationship
i. Any number of graphs and/or data tables may be submitted but the team must indicate up to four to
[Link] and/or tables may be computer generated or drawn by hand on graph paper. Each data series
counts as a separate graph. A template is available at [Link].
iii. Teams are encouraged to have a duplicate set to use, as those submitted may not be returned.
CONSTRUCTION PARAMETERS:
a.
pendulums, or oscillating springs.
b. Commercial counters, tally devices, timepieces or their parts are not allowed. Commercial balances,
scales, test tubes, beakers, graduated cylinders, and burettes are not considered counters and are allowed.
c. The device must be constructed to contain spillage.
d.
4. DESIGN LOG:
a. Teams must submit a Design Log along with their device. The log must include the following:
i. Materials used to construct the device
ii.
iii. Team name, team number, and appropriate metric units for all numerical values
b. If a 3-D printer, laser cutter, CNC machine or similar device was used as a tool to build the team’s
device, or any component thereof, the following information must also be supplied in the log.
i. Information about the tool hardware, software, materials, and supplies used
ii.
from the internet
iii.
c. All submitted logs will be returned to teams.
©2022-C32
IT’S ABOUT TIME (CONT.)
See General Rules, Eye Protection & other Policies on [Link] as they apply to every event.
THE COMPETITION:
Part I: Written Test
a. Teams will be given a minimum of 20 minutes to complete a written test consisting of multiple choice,
true-false, completion, or calculation questions/problems.
b.
c. The test must consist of at least four questions from each of the following areas:
i.
ii.
iii. Historical time keeping devices (e.g. pendulum clocks, water clocks, sundials, ancient astronomical
iv. Waves and frequencies (e.g., electromagnetic waves, frequency analysis, harmonics, normal modes,
v. State and Nationals only - Dynamical systems (e.g., equations of motion, planetary motion, gravity,
vi.
Part II: Device Testing
a. Teams must be allowed to interact with their device before, during, between and after the time trials,
b.
selected intervals at the start of their competition block. Time trials must run in the order listed in the
SCORING section.
c.
use their graphs and/or tables to calibrate them. Devices that do not meet construction specs will not be
d. While all teams are working on Part I, the Event Supervisor will individually call each team to a station.
Multiple identical stations may be used.
e. Prior to the start of a team’s time trials, the team must demonstrate the audible and/or visual signal that
the device makes when it is done timing an interval.
f.
stop when the device signal is audible and/or visible.
g.
h. Teams must completely clean up before leaving the competition area.
i. The Supervisor will review with the team the Part II data recorded on their scoresheet.
j.
©2022-C33
IT’S ABOUT TIME (CONT.)
See General Rules, Eye Protection & other Policies on [Link] as they apply to every event.
6. SCORING:
a.
points. A scoring spreadsheet is available at [Link].
b.
c. Points must be deducted from the initial points as described below. The score for a trial must NOT be
and points deducted are:
d.
e.
via items iv. and v. Partial credit may be given. A device must be present to receive a CS.
i. 2 points for including data spanning the possible time range
ii. 2 points for including at least 10 data points in each data series
iii.
iv.
measuring the same variables are considered distinct graphs or tables
v. 2 points for including a labeled device diagram
f.
g.
h.
i. Tiebreakers: 1st nd
- designated questions from the test.
Recommended Resources:
purchase for this event; other resources are on the Event Pages at [Link]
©2022-C34