Science Olympiad

Compute This

Description

This event integrates Personal Computing (PC) technology, the Internet, and."quantitative data analysis. Teams are presented with a problem that requires quantitative data capture from -the public Internet and the organization and presentation of data in a graphical format. Short answer questions related to the problem are also included. -

A TEAM OF UP TO: 2

THE COMPETITION

1. During the competition, each team will be provided. with a single PC workstation with word processing (MS Word), spreadsheet (MS Excel), WWW browser (MS Explorer), and Internet access.

2. Teams will be given a problem in the area of space science or space exploration, and all required information will be located on web sites within the www .nasa.gov domain.

3. The problem statement will require the capture of quantitative information from the Internet followed by spreadsheet data entry and graphical presentation. A specific chart format ( e.g., line chart, pie chart, stacked column chart, etc.) will be defined in the problem statement. All charts must include labeling for each axis (including units of measure) and legends to properly label data within the chart (i.e. elements within a pie chart, multiple lines in a line graph, etc.). Division C teams t;nay also be asked to include best-fit trendlines, and to display the trendline equation and R2 value, when XY charts are specified. -

4. The problem statement will. also include up to five (5) short answer questions. Questions may involve .analysis of data- previously collected or require additional fa-cts to be gathered via Internet search. Where

additional searches are required, teams will be asked to list the specific, source URL associated with each answer. The URL must be complete and allow the event supervisor to immediately access the information in question. Division C teams may also be asked to use specific statistical functions in Excel

(AVERAGE, MEDIAN, FREQUENCY, FROB, SLOPE, INTERCEpT, LINEST, LOGEST , FORECAST, GROWTH, NORMqIST, STDEV) to further analyze data that they have collected.

5. Teams will construct an MS Excel (.xis) file which contains the data tables arid graphics associated with the problem and an MS Word ( .doc) file which contains the answers and URL' s associated with the short answer questions. The event supervisor will specify how these files are to be submitted at the conclusion.. of the event. Teams should include their school name and team number (as appropriate) within both files

to ensure proper identification by the event supervisor. 6. No resource materials (e.g. reference books, cards, etc.) or handheld calculators may be used during the competition. Blank tablet paper and writing instruments may be used to assist teams in organizing their thoughts, if desired. Prior to the event, teams may construct their own publicly accessible (non-password protected) websites to organize URL links and reference infoimation for use during the competition. However, during the event, no external communication is permitted with other individuals via e-mail, chat rooms, or other forms of collaborative computing; the penalty for an infraction of this nature will be immediate disqualification.

SCORING

High score wins based on 1. Completeness and Accuracy of Quantitative Data Collected 20 Pts. '2. Completeness, Accuracy, and Format of Graphical Data Presentation 30 Pts. 3. Answers and URL's Associated with Short Answer Questions 50 pts. The tiebreakers shall be: (1) The number of short answers

\ questions correctly answered, (2) The completeness and accuracy of quantitative data collected, and (3) The ) overall quality of graphical data presentation. "

Additional event information, sample problems, and supervisor guidance may be found at ~,.§Qm9-,9J.g.

APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 Minutes

2004 Question

Division C teams may be asked to apply the MS Excel Trendline function and certain MS Excel statistical functions.

Background

Tsunamis are ocean waves that are caused by large-scale disturbances of seawater. Tsunamis are primarily caused by earthquakes, but they may also be generated by undersea volcanic eruptions, landslides, or meteor impacts. Tsunamis spread outward in all directions from the point of the disturbance (e.g. an underwater earthquake) and can travel across an entire ocean in a matter of hours. When tsunamis reach land, they can produce gigantic waves in excess of 100 feet and can cause hundreds of deaths and property damage in the millions of dollars. Today, there are Tsunami Warning Centers that monitor high-risk areas, such as the Rim of the Pacific Ocean. These centers provide immediate warning to coastal populations when a tsunami event is detected.

Graphical Problem

The International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) maintains records of tsunamis and provides reference information on tsunami research, warning systems, and safety rules for coastal residents. On the ITIC web site, there is a special summary of five Pacific-Wide Historical Tsunamis that occurred in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s.

In Microsoft Excel, please construct a Column Chart to illustrate the wave heights that resulted from each of the five Pacific-Wide Tsunamis. The Y axis of your chart should represent the Maximum Wave Height (in Meters) that is mentioned in the ITIC summary for each tsunami. The X axis of your chart should show the Year that each of the

five Pacific-Wide Tsunamis occurred.

Please place an appropriate title above your chart, and be sure to label both the X and Y axes per the instructions in the paragraph above.

Short Answer Questions

In Microsoft Word, please provide the answer and associated URL for each of the following questions. Once again, official ITIC web sites should be used as the source for your answers. Please note that several questions require two separate answers, and that complete sentences are NOT required in your response.

1. What is the date (Month, Day, Year) of the latest bulletin issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center? What was the magnitude of the earthquake that produced this tsunami? (5 Points Each)

2. What is the latitude (degrees North) and longitude (degrees East) of the Tsunami Field Monitoring Station in LaJolla, CA. (5 Points Each)

3. A Pacific-Wide Tsunami Warning is issued when the damage from a tsunami may extend over a distance of how many kilometers? (10 points)

4. In what year was the International Tsunami Information Center established and in what city is its office located? (5 points each).

5. How many people were killed and how many were left homeless by the tsunami in Nicaragua on September 2, 1992? (5 points each)

General Instructions

1. Please place your school name and team number at the top of your Excel and Word files.

2. Please name your files (school name).xls and (school name).doc and save as instructed.

3. Save your work regularly throughout the event.

4. Your Excel file should include both a spreadsheet data table and a Column Chart as described above.

5. Your Word file needs to include only the answers and URLs for each of the five questions.

6. Reference materials and calculators are not permitted. You may use blank scrap paper to organize your work.

7. This is a two-person event. Absolutely no external communication with others (e-mail, chat, or other).

8. Please raise your hand if you have a technical problem or question on the event.

9. Please speak in a low tone with your partner. Let’s keep the noise level down.

10. When you are done, please save your files and hand in your signed questions sheet.

THIS IS A TRIAL EVENT IN 2004. HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!

2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division B)

SCHOOL NAME ___________________________________ TEAM NUMBER _______

STUDENT SIGNATURES

1. ___________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________

(Do Not Write Below This Line)

(Event Supervisor Use Only)

SCORING

PLACE __________

Completeness & Accuracy of Quantitative Data Collected (20 Points Max) ______

Specific Years of Pacific-Wide Tsunamis _____ (10 Points) ____

Maximum Wave Heights (in Meters) _____ (10 Points)

Completeness, Accuracy, and Format of Graphical Data (30 Points Max) ______

Column Chart Format _____ (5 Points)

Title Above Graph _____ (5 Points)

X Axis Labeled _____ (5 Points)

Y Axis Labeled _____ (5 Points)

At Least One Column Plotted _____ (5 Points)

Exactly Five Columns Plotted _____ (5 Points)

Answers and URL’s for Short Answer Questions (50 Points Max) ______

1. Date & Magnitude of Latest Tsunami _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

2. Latitude & Longitude of LaJolla _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

3. Pacific-Wide Tsunami (km) _____ (10 Points)

4. Year and City for ITIC _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

5. Killed and Homeless (on 9/2/92) _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

TOTAL SCORE ______