Physics Balsa Bridge Building Contest: Instructions to Judges

INSTRUCTIONS TO JUDGES

PHYSICS BALSA BRIDGE BUILDING

1. Be firm, but fair. Your job is to ensure that all rules are adhered too. If there is a dispute, try to resolve it first among your fellow judges. If you can't resolve the matter then ask supervisor.

2. Do not participate in the judging of your own bridge.

3. Work ahead as much as possible. Carry out all the preliminary judging so that the schedule can be altered if needed.

4. For minor problems (excess mass, span/roadway) send the student(s) back to correct the problem. Give them 15 minutes to report back, and then another 15 minutes if needed.

5. At all times try to have the next two bridges in the schedule ready to go, on the judges table.

6. One judge is to read the mass held value on the large scale and is then to convey that value to the recorder. This is a critical value. Do not make a mistake in recording this value.

7. The recording judge must sign the judging form.

8. One of the judges is to be responsible for the operation of the computerized display. This data should periodically be recorded by saving the data onto the disk.

9. Ensure that official masses/dimensions are measured using the same equipment. This ensures consistency of recording.

10. If you are unsure of something, ask!

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