SO Roller Coaster

Class Plans and Exercises

• (11/15) Start to build
  • Introduce Tinkercad and Score calculation online tool
  • Build the structure without gap and loop
  • Use screw or glue to stablize the structure
• (11/08) Explore the material in Homedeopt
  • Gather some ideas what is best for base, track, stand support, etc.
  • Having a shopping list
• (11/01) Study the timer and design the data log sheet
• (10/25) Learn the basic strucutre
  • How to generate resistence
  • How to make the track
  • How to draw the prototype
• (10/18) Learn the rules
  • what is gap and loop
  • what is funnel
  • how to score

Data Logs

There is a 50-point bonus for having a complete Data Log as described below.

1. Teams must submit a Data Log along with their device. The Data log must include the following:
   • The submitted Data Log must contain recorded data for 10 or more test runs covering parameters/ observations prior to the competition.
   • The required parameters are:
     • Run time, in seconds,
     • The gap and loop score(s), in centimeters, if attempted, and
     • Qualitative or quantitative descriptions on an aspect of the device that, once modified, changes the time of the run.
2. The team name and team number for the tournament must appear on the Data Log.
3. All numerical values should be labeled with standard units (e.g., SI or English) appropriate to the dimension being measured or be considered incomplete. SI units should be the default standard.
4. Logs will be returned to teams after inspection.

SCORING

• Highest Final Score wins. The higher of the 2 Run Scores is used as the Final Score.
• Run Score = Height Score + Time Score + Gap Score + Loop Score + Bonus Score(s)
• Height Score = 2 x (50 - Roller Coaster height). The Roller Coaster height is measured in whole cm from the highest part of the Roller Coaster to the foor or the table (if used), rounded down.
• Time Score = Track Time - Time Penalty
  • Track Time = 5 points for every full second of Run Time within the device up to the Target Time.
  • Time Penalty = 5 points for every full second of Run Time past the Target Time up to the 2 x the Target Time.
• Gap Score = 4 points for each whole cm measured horizontally from the end of the track the ball/sphere leaves, to the closest part of the track the ball/sphere lands on. Points are only awarded if the ball/sphere successfully reaches the track on the other side of the Gap ( meeting 3.m.).
• Loop Score = 6 points for each whole cm of the height of the Loop, measured vertically from the POI to the highest inner point of the Loop. Points are only awarded if the ball/sphere successfully completes the Loop and fulflls all requirements in (3.l.).
• The following bonuses may be applied to a Run Score:
  • Teams will receive 150 points if the ball/sphere successfully crosses the Finish Line.
  • Teams with a complete Practice Log submitted at impound will receive a 50-point Bonus.
  • Teams will receive one point for each full cm. their device is under 80 cm. in length.
• Tiers:
  • Tier 1: A run with no violations
  • Tier 2: A run with any construction or competition violations
  • Tier 3: A team with a Roller Coaster or ball/sphere not impounded during the impound period
• Participation points are awarded to teams who cannot start any run within the 8 minutes or have unresolved safety issues.
• Ties are broken in this order:
  • Highest Gap Score for an individual gap
  • Highest Loop Score
  • Highest Height Score
  • Highest Time Score

Gaps

The device may contain Gap(s) in the track to earn a Gap Score. Gaps are defned as an open span without support or guidance that the ball/sphere must pass to continue its run.

• Gaps must have a horizontal span of at least 5.0 cm from the end of the track that the ball/sphere leaves measured to the closest part of the track the ball/sphere lands on.
• The beginning and the end of each Gap must be clearly labeled and must have a physical edge that is at least 0.5 cm above any surface below to earn points; these physical edges will be the measurement boundaries of the Gap
• The ball/sphere must travel completely unsupported in the air to earn points.
• The track must continue at least 10 cm in the same direction from the end of the gap before it curves, hits a wall or has a change in direction.
• Up to 2 distinct, clearly labeled Gaps may be included to earn points.
• Bouncing a ball/sphere of a surface does not count as part of a Gap; a Gap may not end with the ball/sphere hitting a wall.

Loop

The device may contain one Loop in the track to earn a Loop Score. A Loop is defned as a continuously concave section of track which appears to self-intersect at a Point of Intersection (POI).

• The Loop begins and ends when the ball/sphere reaches the POI.
• The height of the Loop is defned as the vertical distance from the POI to the highest inside point of the Loop.
• The POI and highest inside point of the Loop must be clearly labeled for the Loop to count for points. The two sections of track at the POI must touch and have a clearly labeled point that the Event Supervisor can measure from.
• The ball/sphere must remain in contact with the track as it traverses the Loop. When the ball/sphere is in contact with the highest point of the Loop, the ball/sphere must be completely unsupported from below.