Boomilever – 2021 Called Digital Structures
Division: B – Middle School
NC Essential Standards Alignment: Grade 6, 7, and 8: Goals 1 and 2; High School Physics 7.P.1, 7.P.2, Phy.1.1, Phy.1.2, Phy.1.3, PSc.1.1, PSc.1.2
Event Rules: Digital Structures
Event Score Sheet: none
National Event Page: Here
Required Materials: Each team will create their Boomilever in the CAD software SkyCiv using the Science Olympiad app. NOTE – ALL NC TEAMS WILL RECEIVE A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO SKY CIV.
Clarifications: 1pm on Feb 20
Description:
For the 2021 Tournament season, this will be a virtual building event. Teams will design a boomilever constructed in the SkyCiv software app. The parameters in the National Rules should be used for building and testing.
Materials:
Scoring:
High score wins. Scoring for this event is based on efficiency.
(Load supported + load score bonus)/Mass of Boomilever
Boomilevers that fail to meet one or more of the requirements will be ranked in a 2nd tier beneath those that do meet requirements. Boomilevers that cannot be tested at all will be ranked in a tier below those that can be tested. Ties will be broken first by whichever boomilever is lightest.
Common Mistakes:
The goal is not to build the strongest boomilever, it is to build the most efficient boomilever, so it has to be strong, but light.
Recommendations (not for 2021):
Dimensions if you want to build your own Boomilever/Tower/Bridge Breaker
Video to show you how to put your breaker back together if you bought one from NCSO.
Event Resources:
Boomilever 2019 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2020 Rules)
Boomilever 2018 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2019 Rules)
2017 Coaches Clinic Presentation
The above link is for Towers but contains good information that can be applied to your boomilevers.
Media:
Be careful when constructing your device that it is level. If the base or any part of the tower is leaning or crooked, it will lean even more as weight is applied and potentially tip over before it breaks, as this one does.The process of placing your tower on the platform, threading the chain through, hanging the bucket, and how to load the sand. This is the PVC “breaker” used throughout NC.A tower supports 15 kg before breaking. This or a very similar apparatus is the sand loading device (breaker) used at every NC regional and state tournament. A lever on the back releases sand at a rate of the competitor’s choosing, which flows down a chute into the 5 gallon bucket. The bucket handle has been replaced with a rope, so the bucket will self- center and all the weight is always in line with the chain.Instructional video for how to glue balsa for your tower and what kind of glue to use.How to attach the sides of your tower base at the proper angle.Simply placing your tower diagonally across the platform opening reduces the length of the sides needed, thus reducing the tower weight and increasing your structural efficiency.