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niceli28 wrote:For the endothermic task, what kind of bimetallic thermostat should we use and how should we heat it up?
We have tried a Peltier Device but it was unable to affect the bimetallic thermostat that we have to close the circuit.

You don't want to heat it up; an endothermic action absorbs energy and cools down. You also aren't limited to a bimetallic strip; there are other reliable options. You can also buy a bimetallic strip by itself - they are usually sold as science demonstration tools.

is there a point deduction if you assign a task as the timer but it doesnt run over 30 seconds?

terence.tan wrote:is there a point deduction if you assign a task as the timer but it doesnt run over 30 seconds?

There's no point deduction, you just won't recieve timing points.

terence.tan wrote:is there a point deduction if you assign a task as the timer but it doesnt run over 30 seconds?

There isn't a point deduction. So as long as your timer increases run time but doesn't take the whole machine past the target time, it's getting additional points (run-time points, not timer bonus points)

CookiePie1 wrote:

niceli28 wrote:For the endothermic task, what kind of bimetallic thermostat should we use and how should we heat it up?
We have tried a Peltier Device but it was unable to affect the bimetallic thermostat that we have to close the circuit.

You don't want to heat it up; an endothermic action absorbs energy and cools down. You also aren't limited to a bimetallic strip; there are other reliable options. You can also buy a bimetallic strip by itself - they are usually sold as science demonstration tools.

I am using a thermistor on the cooler side of the Peltier cooler (most of these coolers have a hot side and a cool side), which means that as the one side cools down, the thermistor also cools down and turns on a transistor.

Any tips for building this last minute and how to get the most points possible given the time constraints?
Also, where do I start?

Blank25 wrote:Any tips for building this last minute and how to get the most points possible given the time constraints?
Also, where do I start?

I would refer you to page 9 on this forum but to sum things up:
-Small dimensions: get as many points as you can for size but don't make it unnecessarily small
-ASL/30 minute setup- its easy points. Don't forget it.
-Use easy tasks that take no time at all to build (levers, magnet, and string tasks are all pretty easy)
-MAKE SURE YOU ATTEMPT THE FINAL TASK even if it doesn't work. If you don't have a final task, the other tasks won't count per rule 3.c.
-Lastly, if you have time, add a simple timer (sand timer or even a ball rolling back and forth down ramps) in order to get close to the target time.
Good Luck!

Vortexx wrote:

Blank25 wrote:Any tips for building this last minute and how to get the most points possible given the time constraints?
Also, where do I start?

I would refer you to page 9 on this forum but to sum things up:
-Small dimensions: get as many points as you can for size but don't make it unnecessarily small
-ASL/30 minute setup- its easy points. Don't forget it.
-Use easy tasks that take no time at all to build (levers, magnet, and string tasks are all pretty easy)
-MAKE SURE YOU ATTEMPT THE FINAL TASK even if it doesn't work. If you don't have a final task, the other tasks won't count per rule 3.c.
-Lastly, if you have time, add a simple timer (sand timer or even a ball rolling back and forth down ramps) in order to get close to the target time.
Good Luck!

Thanks!

How many points does one usually have to earn to win a medal at regionals and also at states? Like if you tallied up the raw score from all the storable actions and timers and points for other things, what’s the minimum amount of those points needed to get a medal at regionals and what’s the minimum amount of those points needed to get a medal at states?

annabelle0308 wrote:How many points does one usually have to earn to win a medal at regionals and also at states? Like if you tallied up the raw score from all the storable actions and timers and points for other things, what’s the minimum amount of those points needed to get a medal at regionals and what’s the minimum amount of those points needed to get a medal at states?

It depends a lot on the level of competition at your competition. For the regional I attended, I later heard the ES saying that a small, properly labeled device consisting only of a start task could place top 3. More competitive regionals and state tournaments will naturally require a more competent device to place well.