Middle+Grades+Wind+Competition

= The Middle Grades Wind Competition was a rousing success! Thanks to all who attended! = ** What ** : Middle Grades Wind Power Competition! // - // // Middle grades students will put into practice the science, mathematics and design of wind generators // // This is a middle school wind generator competition to be held on May 9, 2011. //

** Why: ** STEM education will open doors to the future for our students! ** Who ** : Middle grades students chosen by teachers at each school. ** When ** : Monday, May 9, 2011 from 9:30 am - 12 pm  ** Where ** : Georgia College Campus, Peabody Auditorium

**MIDDLE GRADES STUDENT COMPETITION – DESIGNING A WIND-POWERED GENERATOR** **May 9, 2011** **9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.** **Schedule**

9:00 Arrivals/Set up


 * Check in with contest coordinator
 * Inspection of materials, templates and plans
 * Provide names of team members

9:30 Introduction and review of rules

9:45 Competition begins, construction of wind generators. Judges will circulate and interview teams, scoring of presentations and projects.

11:00 Testing of wind generators.

11:45 Judges conference

12:00 Announcement of scoring

12:15 Check out and departure. Lunch on your own.

Notes:
 * Teams may bring materials that have been cleared in advance with Dr. Deneroff.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">Judges will be given a list of allowed materials. Judges will disqualify teams that use unauthorized materials.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">Teams which come with parts already built will be disqualified. If disqualified, they can still test their models, however they will not be part of the competition.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">During the building process, judges will circulate and discuss projects with team members. Each team will be scored twice. The two scores will be moderated, with judges coming to a consensus during the Judges Conference.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">All decisions of the judges are final.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">All participants will receive certificates of achievement, and a trophy will be awarded to the winning team.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">Teams are asked to clean up after themselves before departure.
 * <span style="font-family: AvantGarde Md BT,sans-serif;">Food will not be provided. Please arrange for lunch on your own.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">**WIND GENERATOR COMPETION RULES**

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Power must be generated solely by wind from the competition fan. <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">You must use the wind turbine generator provided by GCSU as the sole power generator for your wind turbine. You must also use the 12-hole crimping hub provided by GCSU. Each team should bring theirs to the competition.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The judges must be able to verify that the correct generator and hub are being used on your turbine. If the judges cannot verify that the generator is the correct one your team may participate—but will be unable to win any prizes.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">You may attach any of the following items
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Various weights and types of paper, including bond paper, card stock and construction paper.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Corrugated cardboard
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">1/2” Styrofoam sheets
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">¼” foam core board
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Coffee stirrers and popsicle sticks (for supports)
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Masking and duct tape.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Different weights of cardboard.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Aluminum foil
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Laminated cardstock
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Plastic and Styrofoam cups

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">On the day of the competition, the above materials will be available to teams. Teams may not bring any materials other than those listed for construction of wind generator blades and the hub and generator the team will use.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">You may bring a design template in order to recreate the shape of your turbine blades. This should be made of paper. You may only bring one template per blade part. A set of detailed plans on paper is also acceptable to bring—these should not be full-size but to scale.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Wind turbine blades must be made by your team out of the materials provided at the competition.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Your turbine can be vertical or horizontal axis, or may be tilted in any direction.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Your wind turbine must be free standing. You will be provided K’Nex in order to make a tower for support.

<span style="font-family: Futura,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**How will we performance test your wind turbine?**

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Your turbine will be tested using a single box fan on high speed.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Prior to performance testing, student teams will be given a reasonable amount of time to test their devices. This will give you a chance to evaluate the conditions of the space.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Once the testing session begins you will be given two minutes to set up your wind turbine.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif;">You must have two wires at the <span style="font-family: Futura-LightOblique,sans-serif;">//base// <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif;">of your turbine. You must label which wire is positive and which is negative. These wires will be attached to a circuit with a 10 ohm resistor (light bulb) in series and will simultaneously measure voltage and amperage.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">In order to receive full marks for your turbine’s functionality, your wind turbine must be able to start producing power once the fan is activated, without external assistance. This means the turbine will start with wind power only and does not have to be given a push to get it started.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The turbine must spin for 60 seconds.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">If your wind turbine slips, breaks apart, or falls over before the 60 second timer is started, you will either be given two minutes to set up your wind turbine again, or you will be allowed to remove the turbine to make repairs. In that case, you will be moved to the back of the line for retesting.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif;">You will only be given <span style="font-family: Futura-LightOblique,sans-serif;">//one// <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif;">restart opportunity. It may be granted before the 60 second test begins, or once it has begun—but <span style="font-family: Futura-LightOblique,sans-serif;">//not both// <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif;">!

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">We will collect power output data for 60 seconds. Your energy output score will be calculated using a multimeter.

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Local judges have final say on rulings and protests.

<span style="font-family: Futura,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Who has to show up?** <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">To be eligible for the competition, all members of your team must be present on the competition day. You may have up to 2 alternates as team members. Maximum team size is 6 persons. Exceptions include:
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">some, or all, of your team members are unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict with a school sanctioned trip (a signed note from the advisor is required)
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">a team member cannot attend due to illness or family crisis (a signed note from the team coach is required).

<span style="font-family: Futura-Oblique,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">//**How will your turbine be judged?**// <span style="font-family: Futura,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Design & Documentation (35% of score)** <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">A panel of judges will examine your wind turbine design before testing it in the wind tunnel. You must be prepared to discuss/defend the choices you incorporated into the design, and also to explain how power and/or the amount of energy generated can be calculated.The design criteria you will be judged on include: the choices/mechanisms by which you maximized power output, the craftsmanship of your design, creativity, and environmental decisions (eg. did you use recyclable materials can you easily take your turbine apart after the competition and reuse the parts?).

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">To aid the judging process, students should produce some type of research <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">documentation that reflects the design process. They may: <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">If the team decides on a multimedia presentation, students must provide the means to play a video or DVD, or run a slide show/power point, etc. We will not provide a computer or other device. This document may introduce the team and the wind turbine they constructed. Examples of things to include in this documentation may include: <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Please note these are ideas for a presentation, and it is not necessary to complete all items. You may also find something else to present.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">write a short report
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">create an engineer’s notebook
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">make a short video
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">create a poster
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Your school name. A team name if you have one.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Innovative & creative elements of your design, including drawings and designs.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Design problems you faced and how you overcame them. This could be documented in a journal or engineer’s notebook your team kept.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Conditions necessary for wind power to be commercially feasible.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Ideal locations for wind generators in Georgia and the Southeast.
 * <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">How “real” wind turbines work.

<span style="font-family: Futura,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Energy Output (65% of score)** <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The total energy output of your turbine over the 60 second trial period will be collected. Your team’s energy output will be ranked relative to other competitors. Each team will receive points corresponding to their rank. The turbine with the highest energy output (milliwatt-seconds) over the 60 second trial period will score 65 points. <span style="font-family: Futura,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Energy output score based on rank <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">1st Place = 65 Points <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">2nd Place = 60 Points <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">3rd Place = 55 Points

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">4th Place = 50 Points <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">5th Place = 45 Place <span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">6th and below = 35 points (if the generator is able to function for 60 seconds)

<span style="font-family: Futura-Light,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">.

Wind Competition Judging Sheet:
> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">
 * [[image:Challenge_Judging_Sheet_2011-page-001.jpg width="800" height="1035"]]

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">Parking Directions:
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Buses will drop students/teachers off at Kilpatrick Hall in front of the Wilkinson Street entrance and then park in the Irwin Street parking lot.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">From Kilpatrick Hall take Wilkinson two blocks south. Turn right.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Go west six blocks to Irwin St. Turn right.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Individual car parking can likely be found in the lot across from Kilpatrick Hall on Wilkinson Street.
 * With the visitor parking pass parking is permitted in any non-reserved space.
 * Parking rules remain in effect and tickets will be issued.
 * Be sure if you park in a 2 hour parking space that you plan to move your car.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Driving directions from the south:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Follow 441 North to Gray/Milledgeville Road (Highway 22 East). Turn right. Highway 22 becomes Hancock Street.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Follow Hancock Street to Wilkinson Street. Turn left.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Kilpatrick Hall is 2 blocks north on the left.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Driving directions from the north:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Follow 441 South to Gray/Milledgeville Road (Highway 22 East). Turn left. Highway 22 becomes Hancock Street.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Follow Hancock Street to Wilkinson Street. Turn left.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Kilpatrick Hall is 2 blocks north on the left.