*** Draft Ver. 1.2 (Last revised 09 AUG 2005) *** SCIENCE OLYMPIAD (Division B) IT'S ABOUT TIME: SUNDIALS RULES OF THE EVENT DESCRIPTION The event consists of two parts. Teams will be required to complete the following performance tasks prior to the tournament (Part I) and during the tournament (Part II): Part I requires teams to construct (in contrast with "assemble") an equatorial sundial(1). Teams will collect a time-series of photographs of the sundial in order to enable judges to determine the sundial's accuracy. The sundial and photographs will be presented to the judges on the day of the tournament. Part II is itself a two-part test of skill and knowledge: Part II(A) requires teams to construct either a horizontal- or vertical (direct south) sundial(1) using a standard set of tools & materials(2) and a graphical/geometrical method of construction(3); Part II(B) is a "test of time" that will include questions related to fundamental concepts in time & time-keeping (with an emphasis upon sundials & sundialing), astronomy, geography, and mathematics. Time and weather permitting, sundials may be tested outdoors; a true geographic north-south line (meridian) will be provided. Alternatively, a heliodon(6) may be used to test sundials indoors. EVENT PARAMETERS THE COMPETITION | A TEAM OF UP TO: 3 | APPROXIMATE TIME: 60 minutes Part I (BEFORE the event) Construct an equatorial sundial(1), designed for the local latitude & longitude, that will measure solar time to at least the nearest hour(1). Collect a time-series of photos of the sundial [digital format preferred] showing several consecutive hours (during a single day), taken every 15 minutes, on at least two dates (ideally once before/after the March Equinox). Each photo should feature either a date/time stamp or CLEARLY show BOTH the sundial and a watch/clock, set for standard time. Part II (DURING the event) II(A) (30 minutes) Teams will construct either a horizontal- or vertical (direct south) sundial(1) using a standard set of tools & materials(2) (provided by the event coordinator/facilitator) and a graphical/geometrical method of construction. For the purpose of this event, teams must use one of the graphical/geometrical methods of sundial construction in which a horizontal/vertical sundial is derived from a circle divided into 24 equal sectors (similar to the dial faces of an equatorial sundial); the use of dialing scales(4) is NOT allowed. The sundial type and its latitude will be specified on the day of competition. II(B) (30 minutes) Written test. Multiple choice format. ~30-35 test items related to fundamental concepts in time & time-keeping (with an emphasis upon sundials & sundialing), astronomy, geography, and mathematics [see objectives.txt(hyperlink)]. A scientific calculator plus a set of dialing scales(4) will be provided by the event coordinator/facilitator. Limited reference material is allowed, including ... [specify what is/is not acceptable]. Sample test items: 1. The rate of the Earth's rotation is: A. 1deg/4min (or 1/4 deg/min) B. 15 deg/hr C. 360deg/24hr D. All of the above E. None of the above. 2. What is the solar time difference between two cities separated by 4 degrees of longitude? Hint: The rate of the Earth's rotation is 15 degrees/hour. A. no difference B. 4 minutes C. 16 minutes D. 20 minutes E. none of these 3. In the graphic(s) shown above [reference to graphics (not shown) of a horizontal/vertical sundial gnomon & dial plate], what is the latitude for which the sundial was designed, to the nearest whole degree? A. 39N B. 51N C. 39S D. 51S SCORING Add subtotal points, Part I and II; place order determined by grand total points. Tiebreakers: In case of a tie between two or more teams, specific questions from the written test will be used in order to break the tie. Sundials will be judged and scored based upon the following criteria: 1. Functionality (objective) 2. Aesthetics (subjective) A scoring rubric will be used to assign point values to objective criteria (functionality)(5). The following 5-increment Likert scale will be used to assign point values to subjective criteria (aesthetics) such as originality of design, quality of craftsmanship, etc.: 5 - Excellent 4 - Above Average 3 - Average 2 - Below Average 1 - Poor Teams will be disqualified for the use of prefabricated (commercial) sundials and/or sundials fabricated using ready-to-assemble template-maker software (or similar online resources). FOOTNOTES (1)Specifications for Sundial Design & Construction Div. B (MS) ----------- > PRIOR - SUNDIAL TYPE: equatorial sundial, designed for the local latitude & longitude - GNOMON/STYLE: thick gnomon (>1/8") - NODUS/APERTURE: choose one of two known techniques for indicating the date [see "Related Resources"(hyperlink)] - DIAL FACE/PLATE: dial plate variety (NOT bowstring variety), at least 30 cm in diameter (no larger than 80 cm in diameter) - HOUR LINES: tangential to gnomon circumference; hour lines only, 24 hours; the circle of hour numbers should feature 1/4-hr. (15-min.) increments - "FURNITURE": dial plate showing name of school/team, lat/lon, and DEC lines for solstices; table or graph of "Standard Time Correction," that is, the amount you have to add to, or to subtract from, solar time on your sundial in order to get the time shown on your wristwatch (lon +/- EoT) - SOLAR VS. STANDARD TIME: designed for solar time - METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION: optional > DURING - SUNDIAL TYPE: either horizontal- or vertical (direct south) sundial - GNOMON/STYLE: thin gnomon (cover stock)[; bonus points awarded for design & construction using a thick gnomon] - NODUS/APERTURE: [TBA] - DIAL FACE/PLATE: (cover stock, 8.5" x 11") - HOUR LINES: hour lines only, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. - "FURNITURE": dial plate showing name of school/team, lat/lon, and DEC line for equinoxes - SOLAR VS. STANDARD TIME: designed for solar time - METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION: a graphical/geometrical method in which a horizontal/vertical sundial is derived from an equatorial sundial (use of dialing scales NOT allowed); the sundial type and its latitude will be specified on the day of competition (2) Standard set of tools & materials: paper (cover stock); pencil; straightedge; protractor; drawing compass (Safe-T Compass); scissors; and glue & transparent tape. (3) a graphical (or geometrical) method of sundial construction: one of many simple, non-mathematical techniques for constructing sundials using commonly available drawing tools(2). (4) dialing scales: ruler-like scales designed to help in the geometrical layout of a sundial, e.g., [George] Serle's ruler. (5) The following list includes the major OBJECTIVE criteria that will be used to judge/score student-constructed sundials: the sundial meets or exceeds ALL specifications for design & construction; the gnomon and/or dial plate must be inclined at the proper angle(s); the dial plate(s) displays the correct number of hour lines, properly drawn and numbered, including smaller time increments (when required); the substyle line (noon line) intersects the 6a.m.-6p.m. line at a 90-degree angle (either horizontal- or vertical direct south sundials designed for solar time); the gnomon/style features a nodus or aperture and corresponding date curves (or points) shown on dial plate(s) for the equinoxes & solstices (as specified); and "furniture" features required charts and/or graphs, providing a correct explanation of solar-to-standard time correction factors. (6) In a word, a "heliodon" is a Sun-simulator. "The heliodon is a tool for identifying opportunities for energy savings and occupant comfort through more solar-responsive architecture*," most often used by utility companies and/or architectural firms. *Quote courtesy Pacific Gas and Electric Company ADDITIONAL RESOURCES > The North American Sundial Society will provide limited support including pointers to "Related Resources" (online) and "Virtual Coaches" (NASS volunteers willing to correspond with coaches and students via e-mail). > APPENDICES A. National Science Education Standards http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/ - Content Standards: 5-8 http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/6d.html - Earth and Space Science http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/6d.html#es - Content Standards: 9-12 http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/6e.html - Earth and Space Science http://bob.nap.edu/nses/6e.html#es B. The Eighteen National Geography Standards http://www.ncge.org/publications/tutorial/standards/ - THE WORLD IN SPATIAL TERMS: Standard 1-3 http://www.ncge.org/publications/tutorial/standards/ee1/ C. NCTM Standards (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) http://standards.nctm.org/ - Overview: Standards for Grades 6-8 http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter6/index.htm - Geometry Standard for Grades 6-8 http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter6/geom.htm - Overview: Standards for Grades 9-12 http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter7/index.htm - Geometry Standard for Grades 9-12 http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter7/geom.htm == End "Sundials" Rules == == Begin Misc. Notes re: Coach's Clinic == Practical Considerations for Event Coordinators, Judges, and Coaches: Coaches ------- * Provide coaches with step-by-step instructions re: sundial construction, including how to use a Serle's ruler * Provide guidance re: tracing a true geographic north-south line & proper siting of sundials * Use radio-controlled clock for standard time-keeping, determining the exact time of Sun transit, comparing solar time versus standard time, etc. Judges ------ * Judge(s) can use Serle's ruler for determining the overall accuracy of sundials ... [Provide judges with step-by-step instructions re: how to use a Serle's rule to measure the accuracy of a sundial. Repurpose one or more of the following NASS resources: "What Latitude Was It Designed For?" by Steven Woodbury ("Compendium" article); "The Use of Dialing Scales," by E.C. Middleton (e-booklet); &/or "Serle's Ruler," by R.L. Kellogg, PhD (Microsoft PowerPoint presentation).] * Use a "SmartTool" -- a digital level -- for quickly measuring angles, e.g., gnomon (style height, a.k.a., style angle), tilt/alignment of heliodon, etc. * Use "pole-to-dial converter-calculator" to provide Teacher's Answer Key (TAK) for correct location of date curves (declination lines) for equinoxes & solstices. * Develop & test a "Sun Simulator" (for use during inclement weather) [contact local utility companies & architectural firms re: availability of loaner heliodon] http://www.wsanford.com/~wsanford/gr8ps/xz_science-olympiad/2006/ its-about-time/heliodon/ <-- new URL; enter on one line http://www.wsanford.com/~wsanford/temp/its-about-time/heliodon/ <-- old URL; directory features more files than new URL, but none of any importance (they are older versions of files that were renamed)