From: "Henry, David" <HENRYD@BUFFALOSTATE.EDU>
Date: November 3, 2009 5:17:50 PM EST (CA)
To: WNYPTA-LIST@LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: Publicized event for tyhis year's competition: The Craftstick Tower!
Reply-To: "Henry, David" <HENRYD@BUFFALOSTATE.EDU>

Hi all.  Each year we let you know what one of the events will be for
the Physics Olympics.  This year's publicized event is the craft stick
tower.  I have included the rules at the bottom of this message and you
can find the rules at:

http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/WNYPTA/meetings/2009-10/PhysicsOlympic
s2009/  (If the file isn't there when you check, please check back.  Dan
has to post it.)

Please note that the actual event my differ slightly from this, but in
general it will be the same.  PLEASE work with your students in helping
them understand the scoring formula so they can develop a strategy.
Also help them practice timing - not spending too much time planning and
not enough time building.  You can do this even if they don't actually
practice the event.

One more note about this event.  We will have precut bases for the
towers and the student will have to decide which size base they want to
use.  The sizes are yet to be determined, but most likely will range
from 9 square cm (3 cm x 3 cm) to 400 sq cm (20 cm x 20 cm).

Don't forget to send me your preregistration information:

Registration:  To register please email the following information to
Dave Henry at henryd@buffalostate.edu by November 13, 2009

1.     School Name

2.    Grade level (high school or middle school)

3.    Number of students you expect will participate.  We do not need
their names at this time, we will officially register the teams on the
morning of the event.

4.    Number of adults/teachers who are attending and willing to help
out with running the events.

5.    Please print the photo release form attached or download from
http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/WNYPTA/meetings/2009-10/PhysicsOlympic
s2009/, copy for your participating students, and have them bring
completed forms on the day of the event. (If there was no attachment, I
apologize.  We are working on getting attachments to function on this
list serve.)

David Henry

TOWER BUILDING COMPETITION

Note!  These rules are an approximation of the tower event for the
physics Olympics.  The actual event or the scoring may be slightly
different that what is given here.  

Objective: To construct a tower with craft sticks and hot glue that
maximizes profits.  The tower can earn more if it is taller, but
building materials and land for the base of the tower cost money.  So,
you want your tower to be as tall, be built with as few craft sticks as
you can, and have a small base.  Your raw score will be based on the
profit/cost ratio.  Your tower must be at least 30 cm high to qualify
for a score.

Equipment: 50 popsicle sticks, glue gun (CAUTION: AVOID SKIN CONTACT!!),
4 glue sticks, several possible square tower bases,  meterstick.

Rules:

1.	You may use only the materials supplied.  You may break the
popsicle sticks if so desired, but no replacements will be provided and
no cutting devices will be allowed.
2.	The tower must be built on one of the bases provided.  You are
not allowed to alter (cut or fold) the base. The tower can be glued to
the base, but the base cannot be glued to the table to flow or any other
surface or object.  Your score will be higher if you use a smaller base,
but it will be harder to build a taller tower.
3.	Your tower may not touch anything except the base that you build
it on.
4.	You are allowed to use as many of the glue sticks you are given,
but no more.  
5.	You can use up to 50 craft sticks, but you do not need to use
them all.  Your score will be higher if you use fewer sticks.
6.	You are limited to the vertical space available in this room, so
the maximum height of a tower is approximately 300 cm
7.	You will have exactly 30 minutes to build your tower.  (Hint:
get started right away; don't waste too much time planning.)
8.	No coaching will be allowed.
9.	Height will be measure once at the end of the building time.
Your tower must stand for at least 10 seconds. 
10.	If you tower does not stand for the requisite 10 seconds you
will NOT have an opportunity to modify your tower.  You will be given a
score of zero.

TOWER HEIGHT  =   ________(cm) (minimum of 30 cm)

# OF STICKS USED _________  (50 - number of whole unused sticks)

AREA OF BASE    __________(cm2)

RAW SCORE  =               Height2                      

                              [(Area) + (# Sticks)] 

Your raw score will double if your tower holds an action figure (think
King Kong, approximately 60 grams) at the peak for at least 10 seconds.

Scoring: The highest raw score will receive 100 points, and the
remaining towers will earn a proportional score.

WNYPTA home page <http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/WNYPTA/>