Division A Events

Teams will build a barge to hold the greatest amount of cargo, measured in grams, before sinking. This event has a short knowledge assessment. This event has a building component and a written test on Archimedes principle, displacement, buoyancy and flotation.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment about ocean zones, species adaptations for the zones, and the daily migration of organisms for survival.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on the nervous system with an emphasis on the function of the brain.

Teams will design and construct a bungee cord system to protect a raw egg from breaking that jumps from the top of a two-story stairwell. They will also answer questions on a written assessment on the principles of the law of conservation of energy, elastic potential energy, gravitational potential energy, and kinetic energy.

Teams will build a vehicle out of K’nex materials to travel a distance and stop as close to a designated finish point as possible. All building of vehicles will take place during the competition. This event has a written assessment on simple machines and the impacts of gravity and friction on wheeled vehicles.

Teams will design and build a paper rocket to launch a ping pong ball attached to a parachute to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time. Every effort will be made to hold this event inside with a high ceiling. If a suitable space is not available, the event will run outdoors if the weather cooperates. This event has a building component and a written assessment on the basic principles of rocketry.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on direct current circuits and basic electricity and will use breadboards, wires, a battery, a resister and an LED to create a simple circuit.

This event will test a team’s ability to design and build a simple catapult to launch a small item onto a target and answer questions on a written assessment on the history of and types of catapults.

Teams will build and test a blade assembly for a wind turbine that will create the largest amount of usable electrical power, and answer questions on a written assessment on the history of and types of wind turbines.

Teams will build and test one chopper, a rotary flying device, and take an assessment on the history and origins of rotary flight.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on the eight planets and their main identifying features, their moons.

The partners will build a landing device that will safely protect a simulated astronaut from injury when landing from a two-story stairwell. They will also answer questions on a written assessment about the forces and factors experienced by astronauts when landing back on Earth after a stay in space.

Teams will demonstrate an understanding of data collection and its use in scientific experimentation to include answering questions on data collected during a scientific experiment.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on how atoms and molecules bond, and using given materials, create three-dimensional models of some common compounds.

Teams will build a wheeled vehicle that uses power provided by rubber bands and a propeller to travel across a specified distance in the fastest time. There is a written assessment on the uses for propellers on travel. The object is to build the fastest and straightest traveling car while scoring the most points on the assessment.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on the eight planets and their main identifying features, their moons, and any NASA missions that were sent to determine their habitability.

Teams will receive a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possible suspects. They will perform a series of tests and review other evidence to answer questions and solve a crime.

Teams will complete three answer grids in three rounds on the topics of Scientists, Ecology, Rocks & Minerals, Oceans, and Weather. This event will use scientists and vocabulary found in the science curriculum from the Virginia Department of Education in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Teams will build a strong, stable tower using paper straws and masking tape to hold a mass of 300 grams. They will also answer questions on a written assessment on the types and building of towers.

Each team will build the tallest Truss Bridge to span a 30-centimeter distance while holding a 300-gram mass or 500-gram mass for 30 seconds. They will also answer questions on a written assessment about the techniques for building bridges and the types of bridges.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on the different types of Earth’s extremophiles and how they survive in extreme conditions.

The group will run a timed relay race. Each team member will complete individual physical and academic challenges. The academic challenges will come from the 2018 Virginia Department of Education Science Standards of Learning; Standard 6.2-Solar System, Standard 6.4-Energy, Standard 6.5-Matter, Standard 6.6-Water, Standard 6.9-Environment. After the individual challenges, the team will collaborate on a sixth challenge.

Teams will design, build, and race a sail-powered model using wind as their only source of energy, to travel a distance in the shortest amount of time. They will answer questions on a written assessment on their understanding of wind, angles, and aerodynamics.

Teams will answer questions on the physics of sound and using the provided materials create two musical notes between E5 and A3.

Teams will answer questions on a written assessment on extreme stormy weather topics including meteorological terms, techniques, events, and instruments and will create a simple weather instrument using given materials.