Engineering Heptathlon
Event Description
The Engineering Heptathlon is a challenging, thought-provoking, and mainly fun event
for sections. The target audience for the Heptathlon is Young Professionals, but the
competition is open to any profession member, student member or educator associate.
Length
Approx. 7 hours (includes lunch)
Events
The seven events of the decathlon are broken up into two levels: Level A and B. Each
section’s Heptathlon will include the four Level A events. To customize the Heltathlon
for each section, any three of the Level B events can be used, or a similar challenge can
be given. Sections are encouraged to elaborate or modify challenges in this packet, as
well as develop new Level B events to broaden the variety of the competition.
Engineering Knowledge Test – Level A Event
Length: 30 minutes
Concept: This challenge consists of the team taking a 25 question, multiple-choice test
covering general STEM knowledge. The team takes a single test, and is allowed to
discuss the answers amongst themselves. No calculators, phones or other electronic
devices are allowed during this portion of the competition.
A sample test is included in Appendix A.
Supplies:
• Tests
• Pencils
• Answer key
Scoring:
• 10 points per correct answer.
• Maximum possible score: 250 points
Engineering Trivia Time – Level A Event
Length: 30 minutes
Concept: Based on TV gameshows, this event will test each team’s knowledge of STEM
trivia in a fast paced environment. Two rounds of competition will occur. Each team will
be given a buzzer. A Powerpoint containing a 5x5 grid of questions will be shown to the
participants. Five categories will be supplied; questions will range in value from 5 to 25
points in the first round, and range from 10 to 50 in the second. The team with the highest
score coming in to Trivia Time will select the first question from the grid. Once the
question is read, teams may “buzz” in to answer the question. Correct answers receive the
points the question is worth; incorrect answers will deduct the points from the team’s
score. Gameplay continues until all questions are answered.
Instructions for creating a buzzer system can be found online, or pre-made buzzer set can
be purchased online; a sample Powerpoint for this event can be found separately in the
Engineering Heptathlon packet.
Supplies:
• Powerpoint of Questions
• Buzzers
• Projector and Computer
• Microphone and AV system (optional)
Scoring:
• Varies on question from 5 to 50 points.
• If a team finishes the event with negative points, they will receive 0 points for this
event; no points will be deducted from their total score.
• Maximum possible score: 1,250 points
Tiger Team Challenge – Level A Event
Length: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Concept: An event to test the ingenuity of the participants. Teams are given a box of
supplies and an objective that requires construction of a device to accomplish. The device
must be constructed only using the supplies given in the box. Individual sections can
determine objectives for this challenge; possibilities include an egg drop, mousetrap cars,
soda bottle rockets, etc.
A sample challenge and scoring matrix is included in Appendix B.
Supplies:
• Scissors
• Tape
• Other supplies vary based on section and challenge
Scoring: Point tier will be determined based on objectives. Maximum possible score: 750
points
Engineer’s Relay – Level A Event
Length: 15 to 30 minutes
Concept: The final event of the competition, this is similar to a “lightening” round. Three
stations will be set up, each station will contain a “mini-event”. These events should not
take considerable time to complete. Examples include performing an integration
correctly, building a small house of cards to a certain height, etc. Each team will be given
a baton. One team member will compete in each min-event. Once the mini-event is
successfully completed, the participant will pass the baton to the next team member, who
will move on to the next station. This means that each team member will complete one of
the mini-events. The goal is to complete all three mini-events as quickly as possible.
A listing of mini-events is given in Appendix C.
Supplies:
• Timer
• Baton – one for each team
• Other supplies will vary depending on the mini-events selected
Scoring:
• First team to finish scores 1,000 points
• Runner-up teams scoring = 1000 - [10 x Δt (min)] points
• Maximum Score: 1,000 points
Paper Airplane Fly-Off – Level B Event
Length: 45 minutes
Concept: The objective of this challenge is to create paper airplanes that maximize
distance. Each team will be given a sheet of paper and a construction time of 15 minutes.
Each team member will create one paper airplane. Participants are only allowed to make
folds in the paper – no cuts or tears are allowed. After construction time is completed,
team members will take turns “flying” their airplanes. The farthest flying plane from each
team will be considered the team’s distance.
An alternative to maximizing distance in this challenge is to make this a competition for
accuracy. A target would be placed a set distance from the launching point. Scoring
would be determined based on how close each airplane got to the target.
Supplies:
• Paper
• Timer
• Measuring Tape
Scoring:
• Plane that flies the farthest wins the team 500 points
• Runner-up teams scoring = 500 - [10 x Δd (inches)] points
• Maximum Score: 500 points
Solar Hot Dog Cooker – Level B Event
Length: 45 minutes
Concept: For this challenge, teams will need to create a solar oven or cooker to raise the
temperature of a hot dog by 10 degrees. Teams are given supplies to create the cooker,
and 30 minutes to construct their device. This event should be done earlier in the day – it
may take more than the allotted 45 minutes for the hot dogs to cook. A volunteer can be
left in charge of monitoring the hot dog’s temperatures.
Supplies:
• Cardboard
• Foil
• Mirrors (optional)
• Tape
• Hot dogs
• Meat thermometers with digital readouts
• Scissors
• Skewers
Scoring:
• Hot dog that reaches +10 degrees F first wins that team 500 points
• Runner-up teams scoring = 500 - [10 x Δt (min)] points
• Maximum possible score: 500 points
Spaghetti and Marshmallow Tower – Level B Event
Length: 45 minutes
Concept: Teams will be tasked with designing the tallest tower possible from spaghetti
and mini marshmallows. Structure must remain standing through final measurement.
Supplies:
• Spaghetti – 50 pieces
• Mini Marshmallows – 50 pieces
• Tape
• Scissors
Scoring:
• Tallest tower wins the team 500 points
• Runner-up teams scoring = 500 - [10 x Δd (inches)] points
• Maximum possible score: 500 points
Schedule
Below is a suggested schedule for the day of the Heptathlon:
• Setup – 1 hour
• Welcome and Intro – 15 min
• Engineering Knowledge Test – 30 min
• Level B Event – 45 min to 1 hour
• Tiger Team Challenge – 1 hour
• Lunch – 1 hour
• Level B Event – 45 min to 1 hour
• Level B Event – 45 min to 1 hour
• Engineering Trivia Time – 30 min
• Engineer’s Relay – 15 min to 30 min
• Awards & Closing – 15 min
• Cleanup – 1 hour
Appendix A: Sample Engineering Knowledge Test
Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.
Engineering Heptathlon
Engineering Knowledge Test
1. What is the moment of the 40 kN force on point A?
a.
b.
c.
d.
240 kN-m
208 kN-m
120 kN-m
180 kN-m
2. “The sum of all currents entering a node is equal to the sum of all currents leaving
the node” is:
a. Ohm’s law
b. Kirchoff’s current law
c. Norton’s theorem
d. Superposition theorem
3. Incompressible aerodynamic flow includes:
a. Subsonic flow
b. Transonic flow
c. Supersonic flow
d. Hypersonic flow
4. Two water slides at a pool are shaped differently but start at the same height. Two
riders, Sam and Joe, start from rest at the top of the slides. Which is going faster
at the bottom of the slide? (Ignore friction)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sam
Joe
They are both traveling at the same speed at the bottom
Cannot tell from the problem statement
5. After this simple pseudo-program is run, what are the values of i, v and d?
num = [1 2 1 4 7 20 3 5 12]
d = 0
v = 0
for i=1:length(num)
if (num(i)%2)==0)
v = v + 1
else
d = d + 1
end
end
a.
b.
c.
d.
i = 9, d = 4, v = 5
i = 8, d = 5, v = 4
i = 8, d = 4, v = 5
i = 9, d = 5, v = 4
6. The SI unit for current is:
a. Joule
b. Volt
c. Ampere
d. Ohm
7. What law is the basis for rocket propulsion?
a. Kepler’s 1st Law
b. 3rd Law of Thermodynamics
c. Newton’s 2nd Law
d. Conservation of Energy
8. Which is the correct order of layers in the Earth’s atmosphere (from ground to
space)?
a. Exosphere, Thermosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere
b. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
c. Mesosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
d. Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
9. Which block diagram shows a positive feedback loop?
a.
b.
c.
d.
10. The second law of thermodynamics is:
a. Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder location to a hotter location.
b. The increase in internal energy of a closed system is equal to the
difference of the heat supplied to the system and the work done by it: ΔU
=Q–W
c. If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third, they are also
in thermal equilibrium with each other.
d. As a system approaches absolute zero the entropy of the system
approaches a minimum value.
11. The metal sample below was pulled apart at a constant rate during tensile testing.
What type of failure is shown here?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Brittle fracture
Ductile fracture
Completely ductile fracture
Torsion fracture
12. Which of these fluids has the highest viscosity at 25 °C?
a. Mercury
b. Water
c. Ethanol
d. Sulfuric Acid
13. Power is:
a. Work*Time
b. Work/Time
c. Force*Time
d. Force/Time
14. What type of lens is shown here:
a. Planoconvex
b. Planoconcave
c. Biconvex
d. Biconcave
15. What is the parity of the sine function?
a. Even
b. Odd
c. Negative
d. Positive
16. For true projectile motion, the only force acting on the projectile is:
a. Thrust
b. Drag
c. Gravity
d. Lift
17. The equation for a circular orbit is given by:
a.
b.
c.
d.
18. Which of the following airfoils has negative camber?
a.
b.
c.
d.
19. In 3D space, a rotation of a vector about the X-axis by angle θ can be modeled
with the rotation matrix:
a.
b.
c.
d.
20. The English unit for mass is:
a. Stone
b. Pound
c. Slug
d. Ounce
21. Water is poured into four different glass jars: one painted white, one painted
black, one covered in aluminum foil, and one clear glass. If left out in the hot
Tucson sun for fifteen minutes, which jar of water will be coolest?
a. White jar
b. Black jar
c. Aluminum Foil jar
d. Clear jar
22. For an aircraft to have positive pitch stability:
a. Negative Cm, and Cm at angle of attack of zero is positive
b. Positive Cm, and Cm at angle of attack of zero is positive
c. Negative Cm, and Cm at angle of attack of zero is negative
d. Positive Cm, and Cm at angle of attack of zero is negative
α
α
α
α
23. Absolute Zero in Celsius is approximately:
a. 273 degrees
b. 0 degrees
c. -273 degrees
d. -32 degrees
24. 42 in binary is:
a. 100101
b. 110010
c. 110100
d. 101010
25. In nature, entropy is always:
a. Increasing
b. Decreasing
c. Zero
d. Remains the same
Appendix B: Tiger Team Challenge Example & Scoring Matrix
Challenge: Egg Drop
Time: 60 minutes
Your Challenge: Using only the items in your box and your tools (duct tape, scissors),
create a device that will safely deliver an egg to a target. The egg-carrying device will be
dropped from a balcony to target below.
Supplies:
• Cardboard box
• Garbage bag
• 20 Mini Marshmallows
• Piece of Gum
• 15 inches of String
Scoring:
Score for unbroken egg after drop: 400 points
Score for accuracy: 0 to 350 points based on distance from target
Maximum Score: 750 points
Appendix C: Engineer’s Relay Mini Challenges
Mini Challenge: Speed Calculus
Three integrals and/or derivatives are given to the participant. The organizer has the
answers for the equations. As each problem is solved, the answer is checked; if it is
correct, the participant may move on to the next equation. The challenge is complete once
all three equations have been solved correctly.
Note: To make this easier, participants may be provided with a sheet of basic integrals
and derivatives – a good one to use is located at this link:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/pdf/Common_Derivatives_Integrals.pdf
Supplies:
• Three integral/derivatives each printed on a single sheet of paper
• Pen/pencil
• Solutions
• Integral/derivative handout (optional)
Mini Challenge: Tower of Cards
The participant is given 15 playing cards. The challenge is to complete a two-level house
of cards that remains standing for at least ten seconds. Once the official has determine the
house of cards has remained upright for the set time, the challenge is complete.
Supplies:
• Playing cards
• Felt
Mini Challenge: Foam Plate Glider
In this challenge, the participant is tasked with creating a glider out of a foam plate. The
glider must be able to fly a distance of 10 feet. The challenge is complete once a
successful glider flight is accomplished.
Supplies:
• Foam plates
• Tape
• Scissor
• Penny
• Measuring tape