Ramp and Roll

Division: A – Elementary

NC Essential Standards Alignment: PS.3.1, PS.5.1, Science as Inquiry

SEP Practices: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Clarifications:
The RAMP does not have to be built from K’nex. Additional ramp pieces can be impounded with the ramp in a separate labeled bag.
Varsity & JV teams from the same school CANNOT share a ramp.

Description:

Teams will build a ramp and vehicle to transport an object a certain distance and stop as close to the target point as possible at the tournament.

Materials:

Teams MUST bring something to write with, their box full of K’nex materials, and a ramp. Teams may bring only 1 picture no larger than 8.5” x 11” of their device. This must be 1 picture, not a collage. No other resources are allowed.

Scoring:

Teams will be ranked based on the single run where the straight-line distance from the fixed point on the vehicle to the center mark of the finish point is the closest, measured to the nearest tenth of a cm.
Teams will be placed in Tiers based on adherence to the challenge instructions. Within each tier, teams will be ranked based on the scoring criteria for the challenge.

Tier 1: Teams with no violations.
Tier 2: Teams whose device violates any part of sections 9 or 10.

Ties will be broken by the best combined score of both runs. Any team that impounds a box but fails to attempt the build will be considered a “No Show.”

Recommendations:

Make sure the lid fits flush on the top of the box, and likewise do not bring any prohibited materials or tools, even if teams do not plan on using them.

Teams can only bring one picture of their device. This cannot be a collage of photos.

Any K’nex pieces can be used from any kit to construct the challenges. If your team has an obscure piece or you think it might be questioned, feel free to include a picture of the part in the box showing that it is a K’nex piece.

Event Resources:

Youtube Video explanation for Ramp & Roll (2020 rules – learn how to stop your car!)

Ramp & Roll 2019 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2020 Rules)

Ramp and Roll 2018 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2019 Rules)

Dave’s Ramp and Roll Overview- 2019

Engineering for Kids – links for learning engineering techniques