ACADEMIC FAQs
Q: When and Where is the 2005 Chicago Regional "Academic" Competition?
A: The Chicago Regional Jr. Academic Competition will be held April 9th in Bldg 223 at Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave. in Argonne, IL. All accompanying adults must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and will need to pre-arrange for a gatepass in order to get through the Security gate. To locate Argonne National lab on a map click here
Q: How does the "Academic" competition work?
A: Eight teams will compete in this fast-paced "quiz-show" style head-to-head competition, which will include round-robin and double elimination components. Students will answer either multiple choice or short answer questions relating to science and math facts or concepts. There will be two types of question: "toss-up", and "bonus." Toss-up questions (4 points) may be answered by any member of either team, with no collaboration. Teams successfully answering a toss-up question get a chance to answer a bonus question (10 points), on which team members may collaborate. For more details see the Academic rules
Q: Where can see some practice questions?
A: Here are Some Practice Questions that have been used in past years. Enjoy them!
FUEL CELL & SOLAR CAR RACE FAQs
Q: When and Where is the 2005 Fuel Cell and Solar Car Race Competitions?
A: This year's Chicago Regional Fuel Cell & Solar Car Race Competition will be held April 30, 2005 at CNH,. at 7S600 County Line Road, Burr Ridge, IL (Northwest corner of County Line Road at I55 - Go north on County Line Road after exiting off I55. At the first stoplight turn left on Carriageway. CNH is directly in front of you.)
Q: Tell me about car design & construction…
A: Solar Car: A standardized solar car kit consisting of a solar cell and motor will be used by all participating teams. Only one solar panel and one motor may be used on each vehicle. At least one car wheel must be driven by the motor. The remainder of the vehicle must be your own design and can be made from any other material. The sun's light is the only energy source that may be used to power the car. The dimensions of a solar car cannot exceed: 30 cm. in width, 60 cm. in length, and 30 cm. in height. The vehicle must have a three-dimensional body and the solar cell cannot be used as the body of the car.
Fuel Cell Car: A fuel cell car kit including a solar cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen to run the car, will be provided for up to 20 participating teams. In addition to the parts in their Fuel Cell car kit, students may use any non-powered parts they wish (different chassis, gears, wheels, axles, electrical connection wires, and motors). Students MUST USE the fuel cell, solar panel and gas tank provided in the kit. Decorations and aerodynamic add-ons are permitted, however the vehicle must be safe to operate, and must fit entirely within a 30 cm. by 60 cm. by 30 cm box without touching the edges. During the race, the only energy source permitted for the vehicle is the fuel cell using the hydrogen and oxygen that was produced by electrolysis at the "Charging Station". An eyelet must be attached to the bottom of the car to steer the car along a guide wire, about 1 cm. above the surface of the track. The vehicle must be easily detached from the guide wire, without disconnecting the wire.
Q: Tell me about the race…
A: The object of this competition is to design and build a solar, or hydrogen powered vehicle that will complete the course in the shortest time. There will be separate competitions-- one for solar cars, and one for fuel cell cars. The winner of each competition will be the team whose vehicle is the top finisher in a series of head-to-head elimination rounds. Prizes will be awarded to top-performing vehicles. In addition, design awards will be given based on technology, craftsmanship, appearance of the vehicle, and a working knowledge of the vehicle's design. For more details see the Solar rules or Fuel Cell rules.
Q: Can I get more information?
A: Additional materials will be sent to all interested teams. The ANL contact for the Fuel Cell and Solar Car Competitions is Christine McGhee, in Argonne National Laboratory's Energy Systems division. She can be reached by phone at 630/252-3175 or by email at cmcghee@anl.gov.
NREL supports the Solar & Fuel Cell Car Competition by maintaining instructional materials on-line and the 1-800-NEW-ENGY technical help line. The on-line materials can be found on NREL's home page at www.nrel.gov/education/student/natjss.html.
Q: How can I order solar or fuel cell car kits?
A: If you need to order a kit, we suggest that you order it as soon as possible to avoid delays that may occur due to increased demand in the spring. Ordering information is listed in U.S. dollars and prices are subject to change.
See Solar Car Kits & Supplies or Fuel Cell car kits & supplies.
Didn't find what you wanted to know? Send your questions to: SciBowl-info@dep.anl.gov
back to index
