Annual King of the Hill physics competition Jan. 29th

Students in Trish Beckius's physics class are gearing up for the annual "King of the Hill" engineering design competition. Students are challenged to design and build a vehicle that will climb a hill, cross the crest, while preventing opponents from crossing in the opposite direction. The objective is to end the match with their and their opponents' vehicle  on the other side of the hill.

Rules
1. Use only the materials listed to build the vehicle. How materials are used is up to the students and it is not necessary to use all of them.   

2. Vehicles may use any means the student can devise for reaching the other side of the hill and for preventing their opponent from reaching the other side without damaging the car ramp.

3. The vehicle must be self-propelled. Competitor may TOUCH it to start, but may NOT give it a push.  There is no contact with the vehicle after the match has begun.  

4. Vehicle may be no longer than 30.5 cm and no wider than 20.5 cm at the moment it starts. 

5. Paint, marker and crayons may be used for decorative purposes only.

6. New Ramp Dimensions:  The hill will rise about 9 cm from its base.  The base, each side of the hill, will be about 91 cm from the crest.  The starting line on each side will be about 61 cm from the crest.  There will be sides approximately to prevent either vehicle from falling off of the hill.  The inclines will be about 23.5 cm wide.

7. Vehicles will initially compete two at a time in a pool play.  This process will rank (seed) the vehicles.  The highest placed vehicles will continue on to the final competition bracket.  The winner will be determined by best 2 of 3 matches. 

8. After 15 seconds or when all motion has stopped, whichever comes first, the vehicle that remains on the opposite side of the hill from its start (along with the opponents vehicle) will be declared a winner.  If neither vehicle has crossed the crest or both finishes on the sides opposite of their starts, a draw may be declared and/or both vehicles may be disqualified.

9. The jury will decide on disputes with the instructor serving as the judge.

10. 1 or 2 people per vehicle.  This will be determined by the number of students in the class.

Materials

• 2 coffee cans with plastic lids    
• 4-plastic soda bottles w/lids
• 8 rubber bands     
• 2 mouse (not rat) traps
• Up to 16 ounces of fishing sinkers   
• 4 jar lids
• 1-12x12-inch piece of plywood or particle board 
• 2 wire coat hangers
• 1-3ft wooden dowel (any diameter)   
• any glue/cement
• 1-12x12-inch piece of cardboard   
• 1-3ft piece of string/twine
• Any metal fasteners (i.e. Paperclips, screws, washers, etc.)

NOTE:  Tape (of any kind) is NOT on this list!

Scoring:  Engineering Design Proficiency

Vehicle Produced and directions followed:     2    
Vehicle Moved:         3  (Measurable displacement forward on the ramp)
Competitive in pool play round:      4
Competitive in final competition of 8 teams     4 w/ prize
Compete in 3rd/4th or 5th/6th place competition     5
Compete in Championship Round (best 2 of 3)    5 w/ prize & bragging rights