Official Event Information:
A team of two students will construct a barge using heavy-duty aluminum foil that can support the largest weight of cargo (stone pebbles*). This event will also test the team’s weight estimation skills.
- Each team will be given one sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, 18 x 18 cm. They will be allowed 10 minutes for construction of their barge.
- The students are to load their barge quickly with the pebbles while the barge is floating in a container of water. Organized grouping or counting of pebbles is not permitted.
- Loading pebbles onto the barge must stop as soon as water enters the barge. At that point the students must estimate the weight of the pebbles, in grams. They will be allowed to hold the pebbles in a baggy for their estimation. Under and over estimation is allowed.
- Only the pebbles will be weighed by the event captain on an electronic scale. Weight and estimation will be added for the team’s score. New this year: Overestimation is allowed and will be calculated using the formula below.
Scoring:
| At or under estimation | Over estimation |
| Weight of Pebbles: 178 grams | 178 grams (double weight) = 356 grams |
| Team’s Estimation: + 150 grams | 206 grams (minus overage) -28 grams |
| Team’s Score: 328 grams | Team’s Score: 328 grams |
Important
Students should practice gram estimation of stone pebbles or any other suitable weights before the competition.
*Bags of plain, potting pebbles, or Décor stones used in the competition, can be bought in any Wal-Mart Store., 2 lbs. Found in Home Decor, imitation flower section. Target: Vase Filler, mini rocks (065 05 0310) 5lbs. Found in home décor section.
Unofficial Event Information
Below you will find other suggestions, photos, or information that might be helpful.