Reflection Relay

Yes.

They will hopefully find approximately appropriate positions during the planning period, but will then need to make additional adjustments to hit the target.

Our Macomb Science Olympiad equipment is being replaced for the 2023 season.  The flashlight will be the MagLite model ST3D016.

It is a focusable, LED flashlight and is rated at 168 lumens.

Students may hold a mirror as close as they wish, provided they don't touch the flashlight.

Yes.  The white piece of paper is for the students to do whatever they need to in order to complete the task.  They can write on it, tape things to it, whatever they think is necessary.

No.  The target might be positioned anywhere in the room - on the wall, on the floor, on the ceiling - not necessarily perpendicular to the floor.

The permanent mirror will be fixed to the wall.  Its height can range from 6 inches lower than the light source to 6 inches higher than the light source.

The team can use UP TO 1 minute to prepare with the room lights on, and the flashlight is off.

That prep time is recorded and used as a tie breaker if necessary.

The lights in the room are turned off, and we give the student's eyes time to adjust to the dark.

The judge counts down 3-2-1 and the light source (flashlight) is turned on at the same time that the clock starts for competition.

No.  They will do the 3D Challenge in one room – just the team and the judges (and any spectators allowed from that team).  The 2D Challenge is in a separate room where a few teams will be working at separate areas.  Spectators may be allowed into the 2D room also (as long as they can watch in silence).

Students need to experiment to see which way is the best way to hold the mirrors.   They should think about how their feet should be positioned, how their hands are positioned, as well as how high they should hold the mirror.  Whichever way is the most comfortable and most stable might vary with each student.

There is no set order; however you may want to put your steadiest student holding the first mirror since they will have to hold the light steady for the longest amount of time. 

You should practice in a room about the size of a normal classroom.  There should be plenty of furniture in the room.  The furniture serves as obstacles that the students will have to work around.  The room at the college will be a classroom with normal classroom furniture in it.  Students will not be able to move the furniture.

Yes, they may, however they should not depend on this.  They won’t know what kind of furniture is in the room ahead of time.  Depending on furniture to hold them steady may not work if the furniture is different from what they are used to.

You should have a team leader chosen before you get to the tournament. The team leader will be asked to say when the team is ready.  Remember, the planning time is recorded and used as a tie breaker.

You may purchase one from our Quick Start Kits, or you may download a printable file from our website (elsewhere on this page) and make your own. 

If you are going to print your own, you might take it to an office supply store or the Macomb Intermediate School District teacher’s workroom to print it.   You should call ahead to check the price.  You’ll want it to be an 80 centimeter radius.  It is a good idea to laminate it so it will last.

Yes.  Students may bring any equipment, with the exception of a light source.

The only things they can move are the 3 handheld mirrors (that are provided by the Supervisor).  They may not move the flashlight, protractor, permanent mirror, target or furniture in the room.

No.  However, it will probably be the 2nd or 3rd mirror since it might be extremely difficult (or impossible) to make it the 1st or 4th mirror.

The most successful teams consistently get scores of 10 seconds or less for each of the 3D challenges.  If you want to understand this more thoroughly, you can look up past scores in our tournament history on this website.

Yes, extra mirrors will be available.  Time keeping will not be paused however.

In the 3D challenge preparation time is a tie breaker, however in the 2D challenge there is no advantage to being done early.  

We will endeavor to make certain the laser, target, and any barriers are solidly attached to playing field.  However, if they are bumped hard enough they might be pushed out of place.  Neither the event supervisor nor the students will be able to touch these pieces of equipment to try to put them back in their original position.  At the end of the 5 minute work period, the laser will be turned on and the team’s score will be based on which mirrors and target areas the laser light reaches.   Students should practice extreme care not to move the laser, target, or barriers.

Yes.

As long as you can focus the light into a narrow, bright beam, the light technology does not matter.

The mirrors are mounted on the wood block with one mirror edge flush with the block edge.  This leaves a 1/2 inch gap on the opposite side of the block.  There is no actual 'top' or 'bottom'.

Students can position blocks any way they wish.

If a beam touches more than one target zone, the team will receive the best score.

The lasers will be carefully pre-set so that the line projected is vertical.  Be certain to adjust your practice laser the same way.

You can find additional help in the “How to Set Up the 2D Challenge” resources posted above.

We may not know in advance if chairs will be available in the room.  If there are chairs present, the participants may sit in them. 

If your student has a disability, please contact the tournament director well before the tournament to discuss appropriate accomodations.

Yes, but remember...

Students may not touch or disturb the laser, target or obstacle.

There is no height specified.

The flashlight will be placed on top of furniture available in the classroom.