Hands-On: Chain Bridge

Download a printable version of this problem here.

A.  When the team members enter the room, tell them, “This is a hands-on problem. You have one minute to select the five team members who will compete. The others must sit quietly in these seats (indicate seats) and watch or leave the room. They cannot participate in any way.”

B.   JUDGE READS TO TEAMS: (Do not read material in parentheses.)

(1)   You will have 7 minutes to solve this problem. The judges will warn you when 2 minutes and 1 minute remain. You are allowed to talk to each other and ask the judges questions at any time; however, time will continue.

(2)   Your problem is to use materials to lift as much of this chain as possible off the floor and extend it horizontally so it spans the greatest possible distance (point to chain).

(3)   You will use these materials to lift the chain (point to materials).  You may use them in any way, but you are not allowed to break or destroy the chain or the materials marked with a yellow label (show one to the team). Nothing else can be used. 

(4)   You must be outside of the taped area (point to taped area) when you are working to lift the chain.

(5)   The chain is only allowed to touch the floor and the materials. You are not allowed to touch the chain at any time.

(6)   You will be finished when you ask to be scored or time ends.

(7)   You will be scored as follows:

(a)     For each 3 inches of distance that the chain doesn’t touch the floor you will receive 1 point.

(b)     You will receive 1 to 10 points for the creativity of your solution.

(c)     You will receive 1 to 10 points for how well you work together.               

            (Repeat items in boldface. Begin by saying, “I repeat.”) 

C.  FOR JUDGES ONLY:

1.     Discuss and practice the problem before the first team competes. Make any necessary decisions and/or notes. All decisions must be applied uniformly to all teams. Before any final decisions are made, check with the IPC or APC.

2.     Practice reading the problem out loud before the first team competes. When reading to the teams, judges should illustrate the problem by indicating items and portraying actions.

3.     Tape 12’ x 12’ square on the floor. This will be the team’s boundary. Place a 16’ chain zigzagged on the floor in the center of the taped area.  Be sure to mark where the chain is placed so that it is the same for every team.

4.     Have a complete set of the following materials on a table before each team enters the room.

5 pieces of string 8’ long      6 magnets with holes in the middle      8 magnetic marbles

*1 golf club                          *1 yardstick                                         *6 unsharpened pencils

4 paper plates                       3 pieces of yarn, 3’                              1 step stool

6 rubber bands                      *5 binder clips                                     1 men’s sock

* Yellow label on these items.

5.     Place two copies of the Team’s Copy of the problem in full view of all team members before reading the problem to them. They may use them as a reference. If it is obvious that the team does not understand the problem, you should provide information to clarify the problem's intent and its limitations. Do not offer tips on how to solve the problem.

6.     Be sure the team members do not enter the taped square or touch the chain directly when attempting score. If a team member touches the chain, give the team a warning. If they add materials to it by hand, make them remove the materials from the chain. If they moved the chain by hand, move it back to where it was before they touched it

7.     Be sure to give each team exactly 7 minutes to solve the problem. Warn the team when 2 minutes, then when 1 minute remains.

8.     When scoring, the distance must measure a full 3 inches to score one point. For example, if the distance were 14 inches the team would get 4 points (one point for every 3 inches = 12 inches) and no points for the additional two inches.

9.     If the chain has more than one horizontal span, use the one with the greatest distance. Vertical measurement is not a factor. See Figure A.

10.    When scoring creativity of solution, assess use of materials, variety of ideas considered, and the final solution. When scoring how well the team works together, consider the extent that all team members are involved in developing the solution: Did the team delegate duties? share ideas? Did the team members value one another’s input?

See downloadable copy of problem (available at link at the top of this post) for scoring examples.

Verbal: Kitchen

Click here for a downloadable copy of this week's verbal spontaneous problem.

Hands-On: Everything in its Place

Download a printable version of this problem here.

A.  When the team members enter the room, tell them, “This is a hands-on problem. You have one minute to select the five team members who will compete. The others must sit quietly in these seats (indicate seats) and watch or leave the room. They cannot participate in any way.”

B.   JUDGE READS TO TEAMS: (Do not read material in parentheses.)

(1)   This is a two-part problem. In Part I, you will have 4 minutes to discuss the problem and practice. In Part II, you will have 3 minutes to test your solution for score. You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seconds remain in each part. You are allowed ask the judges questions at any time; however, time will continue.

(2)   There is a setup with three strings, a taped line, and a table with a wood blocker (point to items). You are not allowed to change the setup.

(3)   Your problem is to hang the scoring objects that are in this container (point to container) at the proper place on the correct string (demonstrate with an object).

(4)   Your team will be divided into two groups: signalers and scorers.

(5)   In Part I you will be given a practice scorecard and the signal materials to practice with. You are not allowed to damage the signal materials.

(6)   When Part I ends you must remove all of the scoring objects from the strings.

(7)   When Part II begins a judge will place the Official Score Card behind the blocker on the table. You are not allowed to move the Official Score Card.

(8)   During Part II the signalers must stay behind the table and the scorers are not allowed behind the taped line.

(9)   In Part II you are allowed to communicate using only the materials. Signalers are not allowed to use sign language or physical gestures to communicate to the scorers.

(10) You will be scored as follows:         

(a)     You will receive 3 points if a scoring object is hanging on the correct string.

(b)     You will receive 2 points if a scoring object is hanging at the correct place.

(c)     You will receive 1 point for each scoring object not hanging from a string that is not supposed to be hung during Part II.

(d)     You will receive 1 to 15 points for the creativity of the way the signalers communicate with the scorers.

(e)     You will receive 1 to 10 points for how well you work together.         

             (Repeat items in boldface. Begin by saying, “I repeat.”) 

C.  FOR JUDGES ONLY:

1.     Discuss and practice the problem before the first team competes. Make any necessary decisions and/or notes. All decisions must be applied uniformly to all teams. Before any final decisions are made, check with the IPC or APC.

2.     Practice reading the problem out loud before the first team competes. When reading to the teams, judges should illustrate the problem by indicating items and portraying actions.

3.     Place two copies of the Team’s Copy of the problem in full view of all team members before reading the problem to them. They may use them as a reference. If it is obvious that the team does not understand the problem, you should provide information to clarify the problem's intent and its limitations. Do not offer tips on how to solve the problem.  

4.     See Figure A for site setup. Check the strings and setup before each team enters the room.

5.     Give the team the practice card and the following communication materials: 

3 stuffed animals      1 large ball                   2 empty bottles            2 baseball caps

2 socks                     10 wooden blocks       2 white tee shirts          1 container of marbles                                                                                              (sealed)

6.     When Part I ends do the following:

- Ask the team to divide into the two groups: signalers and scorers.

- Direct the scorers to remove all of the scoring objects from the strings.

- Ask the signalers to gather the signal materials and move behind the blocker.

- Place the Official Score Card on the table behind the blocker.

- Announce the start of Part II time.

7.     Be sure to give each team exactly 4 minutes in Part I and 3 minutes in Part II. Warn the team when 1 minute, then when 30 seconds remain.

8.     If any team members signal in a prohibited manner warn them immediately. If they continue to signal inappropriately remove a scoring object that has been placed on the string for each instance and explain why. Do not stop time.

9.     When scoring the creativity of the communication plan, consider the level of verbal cues vs. the how much the communication devices were used. For example, did the team use only “yes” or “no” cues, or did they develop more responses using sounds and actions? When scoring how well the team works together, consider the extent that all team members are involved in developing the solution: Did the team delegate duties? share ideas? Did the team members value one another’s input?

See downloadable version of problem (available through the link at the top of this post) for Site Setup and Signaler List.

Verbal: Scary

Give the teams one minute thinking time and 3 minutes response time; one point for each common response and – your choice – 3 or 5 points for each creative or humorous response.

Name things that scare someone or something, and who they scare.

Common:  heights scare me

Creative:  wooden stakes scare vampires

Hands-On: Good Guy Roundup

Download a printable version of this problem here.

A. When the team members enter the room, tell them, “This is a hands-on problem. You have one minute to select the five team members who will compete. The others must sit quietly in these seats (indicate seats) and watch or leave the room. They cannot participate in any way.”

B.  JUDGE READS TO TEAMS: (Do not read material in parentheses.)

(1)   You will have 7 minutes to solve this problem. The judges will warn you when 2 minutes and when 1 minute remains. You are allowed to talk to each other and ask the judges questions at any time; however, time will continue.

(2)   There is a taped area (point to taped area) with good guys and bad guys in place. These items are good guys (point to good guy samples) and these are the bad guys (point to bad guy samples). You are not allowed to change the taped area.

(3)   Your problem is to move the “good guys” out of the taped area.

(4)   You will be given materials to use to collect the good guys (point to materials).  You may use them in any way, but you are not allowed to break or destroy materials marked with a yellow label (show one to the team). Nothing else can be used. 

(5)   You are not allowed to enter the taped area at any time.

(6)   You are not allowed to directly touch the good guys or the bad guys and they may touch only the materials and each other.

(7)   You will be scored when you ask to be scored or when time ends.

(8)   You will be scored as follows:                                                                                

(a)     You will receive 4 points for each “good guy” that you collect.

(b)     You will receive 3 points for each “bad guy” that remains inside the taped area.

(c)     You will receive 1 to 15 points for your creative use of the materials.

(d)    You will receive 1 to 10 points for how well you work together. 

            (Repeat items in boldface. Begin by saying, “I repeat.”) 

C.  FOR JUDGES ONLY:

1.     Discuss and practice the problem before the first team competes. Make any necessary decisions and/or notes. All decisions must be applied uniformly to all teams. Before making any final decisions, check with the IPC or APC.

2.     Practice reading the problem out loud before the first team competes. When reading to the teams, judges should illustrate the problem by indicating items and portraying actions.

3.     Place two copies of the Team’s Copy of the problem in full view of all team members before reading the problem to them. They may use them as a reference.

4.     Tape a 14’ x 11’ area on the floor. This will be the team’s boundary.

5.     Display a sample of each good guy in a group marked “Good Guys” and a sample of each “Bad Guy” in a group marked “Bad Guys” on a table.

6.     Place the following scoring items inside the taped area. Make sure the items are in the exact same place for each team. Use a different color and shape adhesive dot to mark where the different objects go:

Good Guys:                                                   Bad Guys:

6 metal nuts                                                   6 large metal ball bearings

8 paper clips                                                  5 binder clips

8 metal bolts                                                  8 US quarters

1 large steel nut                                             

7.     Have a complete set of the following materials on a table before each team enters the room:

*2 pieces of molding, 3'                            *1 toy golf club                 10 plastic straws

*1 magnetic wheeled retriever                   3 pieces of yarn, 3’            *1 plastic gardening rake

2 pieces of string, 10’                                6 rubber bands                   4 plastic cups, 16 ounce

* Yellow label on these items.

8.     Be sure the team members do not enter the taped area or touch scoring items directly. If they enter the taped area stop them and tell them they are not allowed inside the area. If they continue to enter the area remove a good guy for each violation. Follow the same procedure if they directly touch the scoring items.

9.     Be sure to give each team exactly 7 minutes to solve the problem. Warn the team when 2 minutes, then when 1 minute remains.

10.      The team is allowed to retrieve materials that fall off in the square only by using other materials from outside the square. Teams may remove all of the score items and, using the materials, return the bad guys to the area.

11.      If it is obvious that the team does not understand the problem, you should provide information to clarify the problem's intent and its limitations. Do not offer tips on how to solve the problem.

12.      When scoring how well the team works together, consider the extent that all team members are involved in developing the solution: Did the team delegate duties? share ideas? Did the team members value one another’s input?