Division: B – Middle School

Event Rules: See the National Rules Manual

National Event Page: Here

Description:

Participants will complete hands-on tasks and answer questions about electricity and electronics.

Materials:

1. Each team may bring writing utensils.
2. Each team may bring two Class III calculators for use during any part of the event.
3. Each team may bring a collection of notes and resources, written/printed on paper, of any size containing information in any form and from any source. Binders, books, notebooks, folders, sheet protectors, lamination, tabs, and labels are permitted. Participants are responsible for organizing and containing their notes efficiently. They may separate or remove the pages from containers for use during any part of the event.

Scoring:

Highest score wins. Points are awarded for correct answers, measurements, calculations, and data analysis. Ties will be broken using pre-selected task(s)/question(s) that may be noted on the written test. 

Recommendations:

How to use a multimeter.  Be sure to check Basic Instructions, Voltage measurement, Measure Current, and Resistance Measurement.

This resource may also be useful.

Resources

• Branch Current Method of Circuit analysis:https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-10/branch-current-method/ 
• Nodal Analysis: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/dcp_6.html 
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law:https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/kirchhoffs-voltage-law.html 
• Kirchhoff’s Current Law:https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/dccircuits/kirchhoffs-current-law.html 
• Op-Amp rules: https://www.circuitbread.com/ee-faq/what-are-the-golden-rules-of-op-amps 
• Diode rules: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/diodes/all 
• Digital logic gates: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/digital-logic/logic-gates/ 

Additional Past Resources:

Great Youtube Channel with Circuit Lab tips!

2019 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2020 Rules)

Circuit Lab 2018 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2019 Rules)