Crave the Wave Websites

The Science Olympiad competition Crave the Wave is a tough one. The first thing we do is build a notebook for the event, which can be brought into the competition. The kids use notebook dividers to separate the topics and then fill it with sample waves, graphs, definitions, etc. The following websites will get you started in the study of waves, whether you do Science Olympiad or not.

Waves:
Wave lesson:
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/waves/u10l1a.html

Mechanical waves:
http://www.mcasco.com/p1mw.html
http://electron9.phys.utk.edu/phys135d/modules/m10/waves.htm
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/waves/u10l1c.html

Wave interference:
http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/waves/interference/intrfrnc.html
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeoacw1/wave_interference.html

Doppler Wave:
http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/Bima/doppler.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect

Seismic Waves:
http://www.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/class/100/seismic-waves.html
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/waves.html
http://sunshine.chpc.utah.edu/labs/seismic/index.htm

Wave Reflections:
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/reflect/reflect.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/reflec2.html

Wave Refraction/diffraction:
http://www.coastal.udel.edu/ngs/waves.html
http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/huygenspr.htm

Wave parts:
http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/waves/partsOfAWave/waveParts.htm

Waves and Other Physics Videos Online

An introductory resource we found for the Crave the Wave event is an online video from the PBS series The Mechanical Universe . . . And Beyond. Actually, this series covers all kinds of great physics topics.

They're written for high school to college level but the ones we viewed would also work with middle school students, especially if viewed with a parent.

You could buy the DVD's but why when you can stream online for free? Though I do admit that it would make for easier viewing on a full television screen instead of a little square on a computer screen. You could check your public library or Netflix for availibility.

Studying Waves in Science

Science Olympiad season has begun again. We started meeting with our homeschool team, Creative Science Investigators (CSI) about a month ago. We're now knee deep in our science studies.

One of the events we're preparing for is Crave the Wave. This is the study of waves. You know, light waves, sound waves, and so many more.

Today, I'd like to share a really neat website from The Physics Tutorial that would be very useful to you in your homeschool in the study of waves.

Waves and Wave-Like Motion has prepared lessons for you in the study of waves, particularly sound and light waves. The lessons are perfect for your middle school student, though they would prove useful in supplementing grade or high school lessons too.

Books for Science Olympiad

This is still a work in progress, but I've put up a Science Olympiad account over at Library Thing.

If you're not familar with Library Thing it's an online tool to keep track of books in your library. It's very cool and it's a free service up to 200 books.

For our Science Olympiad team's account, I'm posting books we've used in the past to prepare for competition. I'm hoping that it'll help not only our team but other teams find resources to prepare for competition.

Please feel free to leave comments on books you've found useful.

2009 Science Olympiad Events

The 2009 Science Olympiad events are up at the national site. Go check it out!

Even if you're not involved in Science Olympiad, it may give you some good ideas for teaching science this or next school year.

My oldest son got a perfect score in science on his ACT and I give a lot of credit to Science Olympiad.

Homeschoolers are eligible to start their own Science Olympiad teams. It is a lot of work, but if you can find other dedicated parents you can pull it off.

Snowflakes and Minerals

Did you know that snowflakes are minerals?

This was a question on a sample test I gave to our rocks and minerals team for Science Olympiad: True or False: Snowflakes are minerals? The teens thought they had that question aced when they answered false.

Now I just hope that question is on the test tomorrow when they compete at the regional competition.

Scrambler Team Makes Break Through

Coach Jerry (the homeschool dad who works with the Scrambler team, makes the following report:

ST. JOHNS
Creative Science Investigators Syndicated

The Creative Science Investigators Scrambler team made a major breakthrough in egg transport technology.

The Scrambler El Huevo Rapido served the team well, and its robust design was a major factor in championing over the rough floor of the regional competition. But it will be no match for the increased competition and propulsion restrictions at the State competition. Given three strategic alternatives: to use El Huevo Rapido in its current design and gain points for the team, reduce the weight of El Huevo Rapido hopefully gaining more points, or build a new vehicle, the team opted for a new vehicle. But a new paradigm was needed in the design of the state competition Scrambler, which is as of yet un-named. At the state competition, the propulsive force drops to half that used at invitationals and regional. The result was that the Scrambler needed to go on a diet, quickly.

At roughly forty-four percent the weight of El Huevo Rapido, the new Scrambler not only meets the lower propulsive needs, but exceeds the new restrictions. That ought to yield a net gain in speed, and a better placing for CSI.

The newly redesigned car features a lower aerodynamic profile, lighter chassis, lighter suspension and a braking system that is both more robust and lighter than previous design. The steering drift of the old design has also been resolved. Design began at the last team meeting, where the team performed a Pareto analysis of component weights.

Sally , the team's technical advisor, growled, "This latest Scrambler is no dog." Asked to comment further, she barked, "though initial design was ruff, the inspiration was taken from Indy car open-wheel racing. The all aluminum frame and laser-formed wheels make for an exceptional vehicle."

Additional details are difficult to come by, and security is tight, pending patent applications. The Scrambler is kept in an underground lab, patrolled by a guard dog, in the team's Northern Testing and Design Facility. It will be unveiled to the public at the April 28, 2007 competition in East Lansing.

Storm the Castle

Teen Daughter 2 was an alternate on the Storm the Castle team. This is a middle school event in Science Olympiad. She got to compete in this event at one of the invitationals and really loved it.

I had hoped to provide a link to the rules for you, but Science Olympiad only puts a sample of the rules on the Internet. You have to be registered as a team in order to get the rule book.

So, here it is in a nutshell. Teams design, construct, and calibrate a trebuchet (catapult). They are not judged on their design, but on their ability to operate the trebuchet with acuracy. The team is required to keep a log and make graphs of their trial runs in preparing for this event. The graphs should show the distances the trebuchet launched a projectile in varying circumstanses, such as the size and weight of projectile. The team also needs to be prepared to answer questions about how they collected their data and used the graphs.

A cool video to watch on this topic is NOVA's Medieval Siege which is part of their Secrets of Lost Empires series.

Coming soon: Review of The Art of the Catapult

SO Yahoo Group

If you're a Science Olympiad coach or parent, this is the Yahoo Group you absolutely should join: Science Olympiad Coaches. It's a great place to share ideas, find help solving problems, and get the scoop on all things science, especially if you're new to SO like us.

Is Science Olympiad for You?

Our Science Olympiad team, CSI, is the only homeschool team in our state. I believe the reason is two-fold. First, it could be that homeschoolers are not familiar with this competition. It doesn't get the media attention the National Geographic GeoBee or Scripps Spelling Bee get.

The second reason may be that it is a lot of work. A lot! Our two head coaches have put an amazing amount of time and energy into organizing our middle and high school teams. It has literally taken over their families' lives.

There is also time and work required by the students in studying and preparing for their events. They need to also be prepared to step in for other team members in case of emergency. For example, my son found himself competing in Designer Genes at our regional competition even though he was not originally signed up for this event. He only had days to prepare, but he and his team member still fared pretty well.

Then there is the commitment required by parents. I found myself fundraising (yes, money is another factor!), chauffeuring kids all over the city, purchasing supplies for build-it projects, and running to the library for resources. I also found that I had to give a little in scheduling our homeschool curricula. As competition approached, I needed to let other subjects and extracurriculars slide a bit.

If you're willing to make this kind of commitment and can find other parents willing to do the same, I think it's well worth it. Though, I have to admit that I wasn't so sure in the beginning. But, in the end, the kids had great fun and learned a ton!

Whether or not Science Olympiad is for you, it sure is for us!

Homeschoolers At Science Olympiad

Homeschoolers take Science Olympiad by storm!

Over the next couple of months, I'll review here at Unity of Truth the books and resources the teens used to garner their wins.