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WhiteIndian wrote:Hey does anybody have any idea on how many observations you should have? Like is there a good ammount that you should have? Sorry if this is a bad question I've just been wondering because it seems like whenever I take the test I never seem to have enough... Anyways if anyone knows and replies thank you for your insight!

147(that's how many we got at states )

But usually quality>quantity. While we got gold at states, we could've done more like 60 observations and would've gotten the same score. We really put EVERYTHING down, such as:
The air does not conduct electricity
The sample came in a petri dish.
The number on the bottom of the petri dish is 5.

Still, it's fun to go overboard on observations.

today, tomorrow, friday and then competition day. helppppppppppppppppppp i've only been in Can't Judge a powder for 2 1/2 weeks

sciolympian wrote:today, tomorrow, friday and then competition day. helppppppppppppppppppp i've only been in Can't Judge a powder for 2 1/2 weeks

Pretty much, welcome to the clan. We have really just been getting ready by doing some testing on the powders listed in the science olympiad packet.

I think they are Copper Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Epsom Salt, De-Iodized Salt, Sugar, and some other stuff. Good luck to you!

similar here. just hope it gets over with

I started practicing for the event one week before reginals and we got 1st. Just practice making as many observations as you can and write down anything you think of even if its really random like the cup is red and we followed the instructions.

sciolyandmathcounts wrote:

WhiteIndian wrote:Hey does anybody have any idea on how many observations you should have? Like is there a good ammount that you should have? Sorry if this is a bad question I've just been wondering because it seems like whenever I take the test I never seem to have enough... Anyways if anyone knows and replies thank you for your insight!

147(that's how many we got at states )

But usually quality>quantity. While we got gold at states, we could've done more like 60 observations and would've gotten the same score. We really put EVERYTHING down, such as:
The air does not conduct electricity
The sample came in a petri dish.
The number on the bottom of the petri dish is 5.

Still, it's fun to go overboard on observations.

My partner and I plan on doing that. If we have a bunch of observations, we will know what to write for the test. The more you have the better. But the quality>quantity is golden.

WhiteIndian wrote:Hey does anybody have any idea on how many observations you should have? Like is there a good ammount that you should have? Sorry if this is a bad question I've just been wondering because it seems like whenever I take the test I never seem to have enough... Anyways if anyone knows and replies thank you for your insight!

My suggestion and guess, get as many as you can. Just make sure they are specific and make sense.

Yeah, I agree with a lot of verrrry obvious observations, but also, I think you need some chemistry background too. At my invitaitonals, the tests had questions where I had to name the powder given the chemical formula and give the chemical formula when given the name of a liquid that was given. (NewCaneyInvites, test created by rocketman1555) There was also this question about if the powder was polar or not, and that needs the knowledge that a polar compund conducts electricy (conductivity testing takes care of this question). (Hutto Invitationals, test created by someone from BeckendorffJH)

You never have to identify a powder in Can't Judge. Are you confusing this with Science Crimebusters? But I guess states, regions, and invitationals can do what they want.......
Also, how do you test if a sample is organic without tasting it ?

No, the packet gave us the name of the powder after we tested (don't worry, i know which event is which)

powders seems easy, but i'm still nervous.