2016-2017 EditionRules

A program of

A technology Challenge

for elementary students

JUNIOR TECH CHALLENGE - 2016-2017 | RULES 2

Table of contents

The Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Tools for teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

How to register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Levels of competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Schedule of events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Competition area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Scoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Specific rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

A program of Premier partner Media partners

JUNIOR TECH CHALLENGE - 2016-2017 | RULES 3

The ChallengeTo build a catapult that launches missiles at multiple targets

A LES for the class…and much moreThe Junior Tech Challenge is a LES for the classroom, but it is also a competition

that can be experienced at different levels. As a matter of fact, the “Réseau

Technoscience”, through its regional organizations, arranges regional finals this

spring throughout Quebec.

You can register teams directly for the regional finals, as well as holding in-school

competitions to select teams for the final, while creating a bonding event for students

and staff. In some areas, school boards also invite their schools to participate in a

final.

The RulesIn this document you will find useful information as well as the rules to successfully

complete this year’s challenge in class.

Warning: If you want to enter teams in the regional final or school board final please

pay attention to the notes you will find in the rules. These notes will allow you to guide

students during the design of their catapult, to conform with regulations for higher

levels of competition.

Are you are a pedagogical consultant looking to organize a final for your school board?

C o n t a c t a m e m b e r o f t h e

Technoscience Network in your area

to receive all necessary information

and support. Contact information is

available at technoscience .ca

Teaching toolsThe following teaching tools are

designed to guide teachers step by

step, making it easy to prepare the

challenge in class.

Most of these teaching tools

are available in French only at

technoscience.ca: • Teacher’s guide• Student’s handbook• Preparatory activities with teaching guides • Certificate• And many more tools !

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New challenges at every level of competitionIn order to keep the students interested in participating at several levels of competition,

new challenges will be added to those done in class. Participants must use the same

catapult and utilize the notions learned in class to modify their catapult and pass

these new challenges.

You can find more details on the workings of the regional and/or school board finals

in the teacher’s guide, available at technoscience.ca.

How to registerTo register teams for the regional final, you must use the online registration forms

which are available at technoscience.ca.

However, if your school board is organizing a final, you must register your team with

the individual responsible for the final at your respective school board.

You can communicate directly with a member of the Réseau Technoscience or with

your pedagogical consultant to see if your school board is organizing a final.

To contact the regional Réseau Technoscience member in your area

go to technoscience.ca

Contact usContact your reg iona l Réseau

Technoscience member for details on

costs, registration, scheduling, etc.

Contact information is available at

technoscience.ca

JUNIOR TECH CHALLENGE - 2016-2017 | RULES 5

The ChallengeTo build a catapult that launches missiles at multiple targets .

Construction1.1 The catapult can only be made with authorized materials

Note: it is not necessary to get all the elements, but all the materials used by the students must be on this list.

• Tongue depressor

• Split pins

• Elastic bands

• Polystyrene trays

• Wooden skewers

• Stir sticks (wood or plastic)

• Boxes

• Tin cans (edges must not be sharp)

• Milk or juice cartons (large or small)

• Egg cartons

• Pipe cleaners

• White glue

• Hot glue (in the finals the use of a glue gun will not be permitted)

• Pencils

• Lids of any kind

• Plastic spoons

• Clothespins

• String

• Straws

• Bulldog clips

• Containers (margarine, yogurt, applesauce etc.)

• Tape of any kind

• Paper clips

• Used pen tubes

A challenge with various dif ficulty levelsCycle 1The catapult should have a lever in its propulsion system, but tension is not required. Once placed on the table, students can operate the catapult with their hands.

Cycle 2The catapult must have a lever that accumulates tension in its propulsion system. The student can hold the lever and release to launch.

Cycle 3The catapult must have a lever that accumulates the tension in its propulsion system and that must be activated by a mechanical trigger. The trigger must be operated manually by the system, ex.: a button, a switch, cutting a string, etc.

Ask your students to bring material from the recycling bin at home

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Construction1.2 Items not permitted :

- Any type of slingshot or crossbow.

- Anything that can cause injury.

- Anything that can alter the competition area

1.3 Maximum dimensions : Note: During the finals, the catapult must meet the specified maximum dimensions

stated below. If you do not plan on attending the regional finals, then you can choose not to apply this rule.

Cycle 1 The catapult must be able to fit on a sheet of legal size

paper (8 ½ x 14 inches). Its base should not exceed the

sheet.

Cycle 2 and 3 All parts of the catapult must fit inside a box sized 37 cm

X 27 cm X 14 cm (standard man’s shoebox). Pieces can

be preassembled, except the main lever (launcher) which

must not be connected to the catapult in the box.

1.4 The projectile is a sugar packet of approximately 42 mm x 64 mm weighing

between 3 and 4 g. The pack can be folded in half and taped together. It

should not be attached to the catapult.

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Schedule of events2.1 At the regional finals, or the school board finals, teams will present their assembled

catapult (Cycle 1) or hardware (Cycles 2 and 3) to ensure compliance.

For Cycle 1, the teams will have 45 minutes to test their catapults and adjust if needed.

2nd and 3rd cycles, the teams will have 45 minutes to assemble their catapults and adjust if needed.

2.2 The competition has three stages:

- Tests

- 1st round

- 2nd round

2.3 Each team receives 10 packets of sugar and has a maximum of two minutes to accumulate the most points by hitting

the three targets directly (see the competition area). The team must first aim at the lowest target on the competition

area. Once that target has been hit, they must then aim at the target just above. When that target is hit, the team

must then aim at the highest target. If they succeed and still have packets, they can start the sequence all over

again.

Note : While respecting the time limit, teams can adjust their catapults between shots, move the catapult on the desk or even move the desk inside the starting area.

2.4 Participants can operate the catapult in turns or opt for a single operator. The second participant can stay in the

starting area to help his/her teammate.

2.5 The round ends once the following events occur:

- The two minutes are up;

- The team launched the 10 packets of sugar.

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Competition area

TargetsTargets consist of three pie plates 20-23cm in diameter (8-9”) attached to the wall, one above the other, at a 30 cm distance,

with the lowest target located 60 cm from the ground.

ScoringTwo rounds are combined for each team’s score. The winning team is the one accumulating the most points per round. In

the case of a tie, teams will have a minute to aim at the targets of their choice and accumulate the most points (no limit

on projectiles).

For more information about de competition area or the targets, go to

technoscience .ca

Front viewAbove view

30 points

20 points

10 points

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Specific Rules3.1 The Junior Tech Challenge is a Réseau Technoscience program.

3.2 The Réseau Technoscience is responsible for the implementation of rules in the regional finals

3.3 The regional final is open to elementary students.

3.4 Each team comprises one or two participants.

3.5 The catapult shall be designed and built by the team on-site at the competition.

3.6 Failure to observe the rules or any other breach of the directives of the Organizing Committee may result in the

disqualification of a team.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is an indispensable tool for answering any questions you may have about the

challenge. The answers posted serve as official references for interpreting the rules of the challenge. Remember to check the

FAQ section often or subscribe to our mailing list by visiting technoscience .ca .

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for ?

Send your question to: faqdag@technoscience .ca

JUNIOR TECH CHALLENGE - 2016-2017 | RULES 10

AcknowledgementThis edition of the Junior Tech Chalenge was realized in collaboration with la Table régionale en science et technologie au

primaire de la région Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudière : Commission scolaire de la Seigneurie-des-Mille-Îles, Commission scolaire de Laval, Commission scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord, Commission scolaire des Affluents, Commission scolaire des Laurentides, Commission scolaire des Samares, Commission scolaire Pierre-Neveu, Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’ïle.

Responsable du Défi apprenti génieIsabelle Jutras

Comité national du Défi apprenti génieStéphane Coupal, conseiller pédagogique, Commission scolaire de Laval

Jean-Marc Drouet, professeur, faculté de génie de l’Université de Sherbrooke

Donald Gaudreau, conseiller pédagogique, Commission scolaire de la Pointe de l’Île

Stéphanie Lafortune, enseignante spécialiste en science et technologie au primaire

Alain Labonté, professeur invité, Programme d’éducation préscolaire et

d’enseignement primaire, Université du Québec à Montréal

GraphismeMaxime Lacasse Germain

TraductionKim Reynolds