*** Draft Ver. 1.2 (Last revised 14 JUL 2005) ***

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD (Division B)
IT'S ABOUT TIME: SUNDIALS

RULES OF THE EVENT

Note: Editorial notes appear w/in brackets, e.g., [Need your input
here..., or may need to add info here..., etc.]. Headings that appear in
all caps are the same as original specs, "It's About Time"; other possible
headings appear w/in braces, e.g., {Possible Heading}.


DESCRIPTION
[Insert one paragraph synopsis of event, like the following...]

The event consists of two parts. The first part requires participants to
construct two sundials, one prior to the tournament and another during the
tournament, that will measure time to the nearest [insert time unit here].
The second part is a "test of time" that will include questions related to
sundial-related fundamental concepts in time & time-keeping, astronomy,
geography, and mathematics.

Idea sketchpad:
authentic application of ... to sundials & sundialing

{Event Parameters}
THE COMPETITION | A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 | APPROXOMATE TIME: 60 minutes

* Part I - Time measuring device...

[I'm considering two options for sundial construction; which do you 
prefer?]
A. BEFORE the competition (similar to other S.O. events, e.g., Bridge
Building; Wright Stuff, etc.)
B. On-the-fly, e.g., using a standard set of tools & materials, ...

{Sample Performance Tasks}
* collect & present a time-series of digital photos of sundial(s) 
showing... [sample task performed before competition]
* construct a sundial using the graphic (or geometric) method of
construction. [sample task performed during competition]

Participants will CONSTRUCT (in contrast with "assemble") two of three of
the following types of sundials:

[Required.]
1. Equatorial [Bowstrings allowed? What about combination
equatorial-horizontal (e.g., Robert Adzema's Hyatt Regency Jersey City
Sundial)?]

[Optional; pick one.]
2. Horizontal
3. Vertical (Direct South)

Sundials must display all of the following features:
- hour lines [specify precision (units) & accuracy (relative to true
value)]
- at least one "date curve" (declination line), e.g., equinoxes or
solstices.
- plate(s) &/or graph(s) explaining time correction factors (longitude,
EoT, Daylight Saving Time)

Allowed:
- Use of hour-angle calculators (e.g., spreadsheets, online calculators,
etc.)
- Reference material [Should we allow reference material? If so, then
should we set a limit on what is/is not acceptable?]

NOT Allowed:
- Prefabricated sundials
- Use of ready-to-assemble template-maker software or similar online
resources


* Part II - Written test...

Multiple choice format. Items re: fundamental concepts in astronomy,
geography, and mathematics related to sundials & sundialing.

[Compile bank of sample test items. For example, 
1. The rate of the Earth's rotation is: 1deg/4min (or 1/4 deg/min); 15
deg/hr; 24 hr/day; 360deg/24hr; All of the above; None of the above.]

2. What is the longitudinal time difference between St. Louis, Mo.  
(longitude 90° W approx.) and Kansas City, Mo. (longitude 94° W approx.)
if 15° longitude = 1 hour? a) no difference b) 4 minutes c) 16 minutes d)
20 minutes e) none of these

Or more simply ...

What is the time difference between two cities separated by 4 degrees of
longitude? Hint: The rate of the Earth's rotation is 15 deg/hour.
[essentially same choices]

3. Provide photo of dial face, equatorial sundial. Give lat/lon of
sundial. Give date and time (L.A.T.). Correct solar time for standard time
(lon, EoT, & DST).

4. Provide Serle's ruler plus graphics of horizontal sundial gnomon & dial
plate. Determine the latitude for which the sundial was designed.

5. [A "What's wrong with this picture?" question...] Analyze photo/graphic
of improperly constructed sundial; identify design flaw. (For example, box
cover photo of Martha Stewart sundial in which gnomon mounted backwards.)

SCORING

Add subtotal points, Part I & 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 & scored based upon the following criteria:
1. Functionality
2. Aesthetics

[I really need your guidance in developing specific criteria for
evaluating the sundials! Remember, the target group is middle school --
try to find a balance between the challenge of the event and what is
realistic to expect of adolescents.]

The following 5-increment Likert scale will be used to assign point values
to subjective criteria:
5 - Excellent
4 - Above Average
3 - Average
2 - Below Average
1 - Poor

{Additional Resources}

"Virtual Coaches" provided by volunteers from the North American Sundial
Society.


{National Science Education Standards}


==
Practical Considerations for Event Coordinators & Judges:

* Provide guidance re: tracing a true geographic north-south line

* Develop & test a "Sun Simulator" (for use during inclement weather)

* Use radio-controlled clock for standard time-keeping, determining exact
time of Sun transit, etc.

* Judge(s) can use Serle's ruler for determining overall accuracy of the
dial ... [Provide judges with step-by-step instructions re: how to use a
Serle's rule to measure the accy. of a sundial. (Repurpose NASS booklet
&/or RK's related PowerPoint presentation?)]

* Use a "SmartTool" for quickly measuring angles, e.g., gnomon (style
height, a.k.a., style angle).