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"Operation Green" Challenges
October 22-23, 2007
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
On Monday, October 22 and Tuesday, October 23, the forty YSC finalists broke into teams of five to compete in environmentally-themed science challenges on the campus of University of Maryland. Check out the challenges they tackled below, and get a glimpse of the young scientists in their element!
The Electric Ride
Finalists were challenged to determine the exact power requirements needed to drive a converted electric Volkswagen to school and back, using only non-carbon energy sources. Using solar panels and precision equipment, finalists determined the basic wiring circuit of the "e-car" and then concluded the size and number of solar cells required to complete the drive.
A Greener Blueprint
Master "green architect", Craig Rhodes, challenged finalists to design one element of a "green" building plan—manipulation of sunlight. Finalists studied green building plans and then crafted a model building capable of gathering the optimum amount of solar energy in a specific location during a typical day.
Water, Water, Everywhere
Does the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere really affect ambient temperature? In a greenhouse, a large ice sculpture was the focus of a glacial melting exercise. Finalists took sample ice chunks and used lab methods to determine the melting rate in the ambient air, and then again in the CO2-enhanced air. They then compared and contrasted the effect of CO2 on melting rates.
Mind Your CO2s
Finalists were challenged to define a carbon footprint and understand how it is determined. Each team researched and calculated a typical carbon footprint scenario and presented the results in a two-minute podcast. Scenarios included a cheeseburger, one year operation of incandescent vs. high efficiency halogen light bulbs, a movie and pizza date, transportation to the YSC event, one year of watching TV, heating a backyard swimming pool for one season, annual use of a home fireplace, and recreational driving for one year.
The Hot and Cold of It
How does a small increase in air temperature in one location affect weather changes in other locations? What is the relationship between temperature and pressure of ambient air? Finalists undertook a series of science activities—including creating a tabletop “fire tornado” and producing the rare substance, solid nitrogen—with the goal of creating a brief statement that clearly and precisely explains the effects of slight changes in ambient temperature on global weather patterns.
Trash Talk
The average American creates four pounds of trash everyday! Addressing the current dilemma that America is running out of landfill space, finalists were challenged to use scientific equipment and techniques to accurately measure volumes, masses, and densities of typical refuse and then use a 40-ton hydraulic press to compact as much as possible into a one cubic foot box. Finally, teams wrote a museum-quality label for this display piece.
