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So we're a Division B team, and experimental design has been inconistent for us. We use the same style of experiments and write-up every time, but the results vary from getting medals to getting last. Anyone (judges especially) who could tell me what we could possibly getting points docked for?

1nxtmonster wrote:So we're a Division B team, and experimental design has been inconistent for us. We use the same style of experiments and write-up every time, but the results vary from getting medals to getting last. Anyone (judges especially) who could tell me what we could possibly getting points docked for?

If you get your rubric back with your experiment, that should state why you missed any points. The only other thing I can think of are penalties for not following instructions. We had judges who would take off points for not putting papers in order, splitting up the papers, needing more materials, not cleaning up properly, etc. Big penalties would be for no safety goggles or having a phone out (happened to us, but she just told us to put it away).

That's the one thing I hate about experimental design. It is insanely inconsistent. All judges will grade it differently, and some very irrationally.

"Alright, hypothesis. Looks kinda good."
"Rolling the die. Okay, it's a 3. Mark it down."
"3, got it. Variables. This one looks choppy, I'll throw down a 0."

I have a question for ya'll...
Someone just edited the wiki and said to not list materials like time piece, ruler, etc.
But I always put it down because we used it for our experiment (measuring location, distance, etc.) and getting our results.
We never got points off so I assumed it was alright
Do you guys think it's okay to write down rulers, stopwatches, etc. if they are necessary for a constant experiment or collecting data?
thanks

I have a question for those of you who have done expd at nats. So if my team makes nats, Im probably going to be in expd. Im kind of confused as to how the winning teams had only 50/60 to 55/60. That means that the proctors grade significantly harder. My question is how do i prepare for nationals since theyre grading hard? What do they take points off on?

Mortem_Haedo wrote:I have a question for ya'll...
Someone just edited the wiki and said to not list materials like time piece, ruler, etc.
But I always put it down because we used it for our experiment (measuring location, distance, etc.) and getting our results.
We never got points off so I assumed it was alright
Do you guys think it's okay to write down rulers, stopwatches, etc. if they are necessary for a constant experiment or collecting data?
thanks

Since they are necessary and a part of your lab, You should add them to the materials list. The list should include anything you are using in your lab, so timepieces should be included.

zyzzyva980 wrote:

Mortem_Haedo wrote:I think the ruler is solely used for measurements and you can only include in the experiment the materials they give you. Sometimes they give you a list of materials you can use, so you can check that ^_^

That's correct. You shouldn't use any materials that you bring into the room for the experiment itself (just for measurements)

There was just a discussion about this.

I have only taken 1 test, at an invitational. They let us bring in the rubric to use during the test.
Will they continue to let teams at the regional and state level?

I have heard that some competitions allow the rubric, but I have been to three and none of them have allowed it. The rules also state nothing about the testers allowing the use of a rubric, so I would bring it just in case but have it memorized for sure. If you know the rubric, then you have a good chance of placing.

SOnerd wrote:I have only taken 1 test, at an invitational. They let us bring in the rubric to use during the test.
Will they continue to let teams at the regional and state level?

They should not have let you bring in a rubric with you, but they have every right to provide each team with one. As Mortem said, it's always good to memorize it!