SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Mission Possible – B

2024-25

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CeAnn Chalker

ceann@chalker.org

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What is Mission Possible?

• Students design, build, test & document a Rube Goldberg-like device
• Device made of a series of actions
• Device must run autonomously
• Specific Start and End Task

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General Tips

• ALWAYS go for reliability over “cool factor”

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• Make every action run as smoothly as possible

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• Make a highly reliable, consistent timer

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• Use as high-quality materials as you can afford

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Safety Requirements/Inspection

• Students must wear at least safety spectacles with side shields

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• Items not allowed (Rules 3.e., 3.f., & 6.p.)
• Electricity
• Flames, Candles, Matches
• Cell phones
• Remotely timed or controlled
• Hazardous gases, liquids, and materials

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Building Parameters

• Max. Size of Device (60 cm x 60 cm x 100 cm) In any orientation.
• Points for smaller devices!

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• Top & at least two vertical wall must be open or transparent
• No dimension greater than 110 cm
• All scorable actions must be visible

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• Designed to begin with the Start Action and end with the Final Action

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Start Action

• Drop a golf ball into the device initiating the next action.

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• Standard unmodified golf ball.
• The next action that begins must be due to the golf ball hitting/doing something.

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Scorable Actions

• Up to 12 scorable unique actions for points
• Specific actions that are listed in the rules

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• Each can count for points only once
• Simple machines required in the actions must be used as the simple machine implies

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Actions cont.

• Receive points only if successful
• Listed on the Action Sequence List (ASL)
• All Actions must contribute to the completion of the Final Action
• Each action must contribute to only one scoreable Action
• No double dipping
• No parallel sequence of actions allowed

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Additional Details �(Last one promise)

• Actions between the Start Action and Final action may be in any order.
• Each moveable/adjustable/physical object in the device can only be utilized by one action.
• Additional actions may be built into the device between the scoreable actions but will not earn points.
• An additional action must contribute to the completion of the final action.
• Additional non-scoreable actions must be listed on the Action Sequence List (ASL)

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Action 4.d.i.

• Rotate a wheel and axle to raise an object at least 10 vertical cm before the raised object initiates the next action.
• Order of events
1. Initiate raising
2. Object raises 10 VERTICAL cm
3. Object hits/does something

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• Tough action, maybe 3^rd to last thing to add to your machine

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Action 4.d.ii.

• Push a wedge between two touching marbles so that one marble moves at least 20 cm horizontally in any direction, then initiates the next action.

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Action 4.d.iii.

• Pull a wedge from under a golf ball so that it rolls. After 20 cm horizontally, the golf ball must initiate the next action.

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Action 4.d.iv.

• Push or pull an object up an inclined plane with an IMA ≥ 2 at least 10 vertical cm before the object initiates the next action.
• Notes
• Requires minimum of 20 horizontal cm
• Channels, control all movement.
• Make the vertical distance easy to measure, and more than 10 cm.

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Action 4.d.v.

• Use a 3^rd class lever to raise an object at least 10 vertical cm. After raising at least 10 vertical cm the object must initiate the next action.

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• Make it easy to measure, make it more than 10 cm.

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Action 4.d.vi.

• Use a pulley system with an ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of at least 3 to raise an object at least 10 vertical cm before the object initiates the next action.

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Rove

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Advantage

Rove

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Disadvantage

Action 4.d.vii.

• Use a marble to knock over in series, 3 free-standing standard commercial dominos with the last domino moving another marble to initiate the next action.
• Suggestions
• Have the dominos in an alley, control where they fall.
• Keep this simple.

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Action 4.d.viii.

• Use a 2^nd class lever to raise an object at least 10 vertical cm. After raising at least 10 vertical cm the object must initiate the next action.

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• Make it easy to measure, make it more than 10 cm.

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Action 4.d.ix.

• Use a single marble to hit a chain of 5 touching marbles so that the lst marble moves at least 10 cm horizontally before it initiates the next action.

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Action 4.d.x.

• Add water to a container to raise a golf ball at least 5 cm so that the golf ball rolls out of the top of the container and initiates the next action.
• Contain the water, watch for spills.
• Have towels on hand to clean up spills. Bring own water.
• Suggestions
• Make a platform for the golf ball i.e. Foam
• Use a tube just the size of the golf ball, minimize the amount of water needed

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Action 4.d.xi.

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• Use falling marbles to turn a paddlewheel.
• The paddlewheel must make at least 1 full revolution before the paddlewheel triggers the next action.

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Action 4.d.xii.

• Use an Archimedes screw to raise a marble 20 cm vertically before the marble triggers the next action.

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Sand Timer Bonus

• 1 point bonus for every full second the Sand Timer runs before the Target Operation Time and before it initiates the next action. Time past the Target Operation Time will not count for bonus points.
• The Sand Timer must initiate the next action to count for bonus points.
• No points awarded if the Sand Timer is activated or touched by a participant.

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• Start a SAND Timer so that after running for at least 10 seconds, the time it runs will be eligible for bonus points.

Final Action �125 or 250 Points

• After all other planned scorable actions have been attempted, the Device releases a golf ball attached to the end of a string that forms a pendulum.
• The pendulum must swing from the release point and strike a release button/mechanism that raises a STOP Sign completely above the Device.

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Final Action �125 or 250 Points

• The STOP Sign must be:
• Cardboard or Poster Board
• Oriented Vertically
• Red
• Square or Octagonal
• At least 15 cm high and 15 cm wide

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Final Action �125 or 250 Points

• 250 points
• The STOP Sign is vertical and completely higher than the entire Device
• 125 points
• If the STOP Sign is only partially above the Device.

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• No part of the Stop Sign will be allowed to be the outer boundary of the Device prior to the release button being activated.

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Final Action �Additional Points

• If the golf ball strikes the release button/mechanism at the end of its swing, 3 points will be awarded per cem of the shortest straight-line distance between the golf ball starting point and the release button/mechanism.

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Action Sequence List - ASL

• What is listed?
• All actions in operation sequence
• Follow Specific Format on NSO website
• All actions must be numbered and listed on the ASL and numbered in the Device
• Must be Accurate
• TWO printed copies must be Submitted at Impound or Check-in
• Coaching hint - Have several copies of ASL

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Sample ASL

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�Device Operation - Timing

• Timing begins when the competitor drops the golf ball into the device
• Timing stops when:
• The golf ball pendulum strikes the STOP Sign release button/mechanism or after 2x the Target Time has elapsed, whichever comes first.

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• after 2x the Target Time has elapsed, whichever comes first.

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Device Operation – �Ideal Operation Time

• The Ideal Operation Times for State & Nationals will be announced after impound
• Regional – 60 seconds
• State – from 61 – 90 seconds
• Nationals – from 91 – 120 seconds

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Touches

• What is a touch?
• If the device stops, jams, or fails, the participants will be allowed to “touch/adjust” the device up to three times to continue operation
• A single touch can consist of multiple physical contacts with the device, but that single touch is only considered over when the device resumes operation on its own.
• If a participant completes a scorable action or makes an adjustment that leads directly to the completion of the action, then that action will not count for points, even if it is part of the Final Action.

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Scoring - General Points

• 2 pts - each full second of operation up to the “ideal” time.
• 100 pts – Start Action
• 250 pts or 125 pts - Final Action completed
• 3 pts – each cm straight-line distance the golf ball swings to activate the release button/mechanism.
• 50 pts – no more that 30 min. setup
• 50 pts – each successful unique Scorable Action (max 600 pts)
• .1 pt for each .1 cm that the dimensions of the device are under 60.0 cm x 60.0 cm x 100.0 cm
• Max bonus for size is 90 points!!
• 1 point per full second for Sand Timer if all conditions are met.
• Points only allowed up to and before the ideal operation time
• 75 points for having no touches

!!!!!!!!!! Better to be consistent than risky !!!!!!!!!!

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Scoring – ASL Points

• 25 pts – ASL submitted at Impound
• 25 pts – ASL correct format
• 25 pts – ASL & device labels correspond
• 25 pts – ASL 100% accurate documentation of device operations

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Device Operation�Penalties

• -2 pts – each full second device operates beyond the ideal time until Final Task completion or 2x the Target Time seconds
• -25 pts – each dimension of the device that exceeds 60 cm or 100 cm
• -25 pts - for each time the device is touched, adjusted, or restarted up to 3 times

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Device Operation�Penalties - part 2

• -25 pts - Deduct 25 points if the top and 2 vertical walls are not open or transparent
• -50 pts - for anything that leaves the measured dimensions of the device. One time penalty
• Devices that use electricity will not be allowed to run.

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Points Not Awarded

• Points will not be awarded for actions completion when touches or adjustments lead directly to the actions completion

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• Actions skipped or completed out of sequence on the ASL will not earn points

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• Points will not be awarded for action completion after time as elapsed

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• Stalling can lead to DQ

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Tie Breakers

• Fewest Penalty Points

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• Smallest overall dimension (L+W+H) of the device

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Tournament Day

• Impound
• Set up
• Only 30 mins. Before you plan or are scheduled to run device
• Be able to explain device to judges
• Go through ASL
• Run Device
• Remove from testing location

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Parallel & Dead End Paths

• Parallel actions have no direct relationship to one another and if one of the two actions fails, the overall sequence of events can still continue or lead to a “dead-end” path.

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• Parallel actions are not measured in a chronologic manner but in a causality manner. That is to say, if one action causes the next action, then they are not parallel.

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Parallel Paths Examples

• Example #1 Parallel Action: Two different levers hit a single switch and only one or the other is required to activate the switch.

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• Example #2 Actions that may appear to be parallel or simultaneous actions but are not parallel or simultaneous actions: A latch releases a spring attached to a third class lever. The spring pushes the lever, which then moves an object 15 cm and continues the chain of events.

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Things to Consider

• Avoid questionable components
• Device may not be timed or controlled by any remote method
• Final Action – the team may not complete the action themselves
• Obvious stalling will be a DQ
• Reliability! Touch changes and points for no touches.

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Costs & Time Commitment

• Look for Inexpensive available materials
• Avoid the “Black Hole” phenomenon
• Where does the money go?
• Use a Long Term Project approach
• Consider what’s best for your team –
• In a classroom vs. in a student’s garage or basement
• Parent involvement –
• Can be a life saver or a headache.
• Who’s project is this?

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