- Alternate students may compete only in the Trial Events at the State Tournament. However, any competitive team member may also participate in the Trial Events.
- Trial Events do not count toward a team’s overall score. Individual awards will be presented for Trial Events in each division.
Trial Events Descriptions
Balsa Crash Test! How high can you drop a golf ball without sending your balsa creation to pieces? Build a lightweight balsa structure that protects a standard golf ball as it takes on increasingly higher drops. Earn points every time your design survives—and score an extra bonus for keeping your structure light. Build it, drop it, and see if your design can take the bounce!
Code Craze: Ready to put your coding skills to the test? Participants will tackle quizzes and coding challenges through CodeHS, exploring topics including AI, machine learning, cryptography, and Python programming. Division C competitors will take on a more advanced Python coding challenge than Division B.
Horizontal Balloon Rocket Race: Build it, load it, and let it fly! Teams of up to three students will design and build an air-powered tram that races along a fishing line while carrying as many provided items as possible. The challenge: carry the most cargo the farthest distance!
Ornithology: Think you know your birds? This written test will challenge participants to identify and understand North American birds, including their characteristics, habitats, and more. Spread your wings and show off your bird knowledge!
Paper Pilots: Can you build a paper airplane that goes the distance—and hits the target? Teams of up to two students will design and construct airplanes from a single sheet of paper, then put their creations to the test. It's time to fold, fly, and see whose paper pilot rules the skies!
Weather or Not: Will you be able to weather the challenge? This written test will test participants' knowledge of weather and meteorological terms, techniques, phenomena, and events. Brush up on your weather knowledge and see if you can forecast a winning score!
DOWNLOAD ALL TRIAL EVENT RULES AND SCORESHEETS
Balsa Crash Test (TE) Checklist
Horizontal Balloon Rocket Race (TE) Rules
Horizontal Balloon Rocket Race (TE) Checklist