I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.
Marie Curie
These events are anchored in physics and chemistry and how they are used today. Whether it is analyzing forensic evidence or optimizing the efficiency of wind turbines, these events will have teams diving deep and learning skills that will follow them well into their college studies.
Air Trajectory Teams can practice building a device that will launch a projectile on to a target before the specifications come out in September in order to become familiar with the event, but the device will need to be reworked once the rules come out.
Optics Physics, geometry, and lasers! Students can prepare for this event by early study for the test portion, and by practicing the hands on part using the optics table used in previous years.
Wind Power The written part of this event can be studied for in advance, but the construction part will be subject to the rules that come out in September. However, the testing assembly can be constructed in advance.
Chemistry Lab (Division C only)The great thing about Chem lab is that it can easily be started early. The focus changes each year, but the foundations of chemistry are the same. This year the event is focusing on periodicity and equilibrium.
*Materials Science (Division C only) A returning event that looks closely at the chemical structure of materials, specifically ceramics and the crystalline structure that gives it its properties. This is an event that can easily be started before the rules are released in September.
Forensics (Division C only)This event has the same format every year and is perfect for starting early.
Potions and Poisons (Division B only) this event focuses on the toxic and therapeutic effects of common household chemicals. The rules will clarify which materials to include, but previous lists will be similar and are a great place to start.
Crime Busters (Division B only)Like the high school Forensic event, Crime Busters does not change from year to year. Preparations for this event can easily be started in advance.
- Lessons: White Powder Analysis