2000-2001 Parkland School Division Science Olympics Grade 7-9 Event: Movin' On

This is the first draft of the instructions for this event. This page will be updated as loopholes are identified, and the official rules of the competition will be posted to this address no later than February 1, 2001. No rule changes will be made between February 1, 2001 and the competition date (March 10, 2001).

In this event students will design and construct an car that is to be propelled by a single "Victor" brand (or equivalent) mouse trap.

MATERIALS

1. One Victor brand mouse trap

2. Other supplies as you deem necessary

RULES

1.  The car must be propelled by a Victor brand mouse trap.  No other means of propulsion may be used.

2.  Other construction devices and techniques are up to the discretion of the competitor(s).

3.  The car will be traveling on a varnished hardwood gym floor.

4.  The car must have a mass of at least 300 grams.

JUDGING CRITERIA

1.  The winner of this event will be the team that builds a car that travels the greatest horizontal distance, measured perpendicular to the release line marked on the gym floor, to the point at which, in the event judges' opinion, the car stops forward movement.

2.  Teams will be provided three trials. All three trials will be recorded, but the results are based on the farthest of the three trials. In case of a tie, the second-longest trial between the two tied teams will be used to break the tie.

© 2000 Parkland School Division.  All rights reserved.
Last Updated: October 19, 2000