NOTE: You may switch projects without penalty up to 5 school days prior to the project due date.
NOTE: Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% (100 points if the project is worth 100 points).

NOTE: Construction penalties disqualify projects from receiving bonus points or extra credit unless otherwise specified below or in guideline sheets for individual projects.

Bonus Points Forfeiture
            If a project fails to comply with all construction criteria, no bonus points or extra credit will be earned.

Late Penalty
            Your grade will not exceed 95% if your project is late*.

            Each day your project is late will result in a penalty of 10% of the points available for the project (See examples below.)  If your project is more than 4 school days late*, you will not be allowed to present your project to the class, your project will not be tested and your grade will not be a "passing" grade.
            If your project is listed on the project list as having a target grade of an "A" or an "A+", the late penalty deduction will be from 100% (e.g., 2 days late = 80% maximum grade**.).
            If your project is listed on the project list as having a target grade of an "B-", the late penalty deduction will be from 83% (e.g., 2 days late = 63% maximum grade**.).

* Absences shown as "excused" on the CHIS computerized attendance program will not count as days late if they occur on or within 4 school days after the due date.
** Your maximum grade may be increased over your penalized grade if your project is constructed exceptionally well.  Your grade will not exceed 95% under any circumstances if your project is late*.

General Construction Penalties
            Each minor violation of the construction guidelines, as specified on each individual project guidelines sheet (e.g., incorrect information, missing components), will result in a deduction of at least 10% unless otherwise specified below.
            Each major violation of the construction guidelines, as specified on each individual project guidelines sheet (e.g., unauthorized materials or components, too small, too big), will result in a deduction of at least 15% unless otherwise specified below.

Car & Plane Projects
Rubber Band Powered Car
Rubber Band Powered Airplane
Balloon Powered Car
Balloon Powered Rocket Plane*
Mouse Trap** Powered Car
  NOTE:  A 10 % penalty will be deducted for each construction requirement not met (e.g., unauthorized pre-manufactured body parts).
     Assuming that all other criteria have been met, the following grading criteria will apply to distance achievements:
 

Catapult Projects
Note: Maximum mass for catapults is 10 kg (22 lb.)
Note: Maximum size is 4 feet in any dimension.
Note:  Distances will be measured from the launch point of the projectile to the point where the projectile first hits the ground (or floor).

Additional distance credit will be calculated by dividing the 10 kg by the actual mass of the catapult, multiplying the result by 10, then multiplying the additional distance (in meters) by the product of the first two calculations.  For example, a 5 kg catapult that launches the projectile a distance of 12 meters would require the following calculations: 10/5=2... 2x10= 20... 20 x (12-5)=140 extra percentage points.  Of the 140, only 100 may be applied to the grade (200% max.) with the remainder being doubled for a total of 80 extra credits in addition to the 200 credits to match the points earned (total 200% for a grade and 280 credits).

Overweight catapults will be penalized 2% for each pound overweight. The maximum weight penalty will be limited to 30%.   Extra distance will not count if the catapult is overweight.

Electric Projects - basic grade
Assuming that all other criteria have been met, the following grading criteria will apply:
 -- If the project works, but not well it will earn at least 90 % (A-)
 -- If the project appears to be properly constructed, but does not work it will earn at least 85 % (B)

Electric Motors
--  Motors that start up immediately (and without human intervention) when the switch is turned on, will earn an additional 5 %.
 -- Motors that can lift objects or propel objects will earn extra credit.  An additional 5 % will be awarded for every 100 g of mass lifted simultaneously by a motor.  10 % will be awarded for every 1 m the motor can move itself along the floor.  (Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% or 100 points if the project is worth 100 points.)

Electric Buzzers
-- Students who are able to correctly "send" 5 letters in Morse Code (from memory) using their Electric Buzzer project, will earn an extra 50 %.
--  If two buzzers are constructed and connected so that keying one buzzer will also cause the other buzzer to sound, the project will earn an extra 50 %.

Electromagnetic Launchers
Basic Scoring: 1-70 cm = 70 %, Each cm more than 70 cm earns 1%.
      -- Incorporating simple machines or compound machines into the launch mechanism will earn an extra 5% for each simple machine used to launch the projectile if the machines are powered by the force from the electromagnet.
     --  Projectiles launched farther than 100 cm will earn a additional 2% for each additional 10 cm of distance achieved by the launched object. If the force used to launch the projectile is simply released by an electromagnetic device, but the launch force is not provided by electromagnetic energy the extra distance credit will be reduced by half.

Electric Quiz Boards
  --For each 5 additional correct question/answer combinations, 10% will be added to your score. (Maximum 100% extra credit.)

Concrete Boats
--Extra credit will be awarded on the basis of 2% for each 1% of your boats mass that can be added without causing the boat to sink.  (e.g., If your boat has a mass of 1,000g and it holds an additional 100 grams without sinking, you will earn an extra 20%),  (Maximum 100% extra credit).

Ceiling Panel Covers
-- Ceiling Panel projects may earn more than a B- if more than one panel is completed.  All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.
-- Extra points may also be earned if the panel is crafted from fabric with physical science designs that have been quilted, needle pointed, sewn or cross-stitched to the fabric. All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.

Mobiles
-- Mobile projects with more than six objects (more than 3 arms) may earn more than a B-. All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.
-- Extra points may also be earned if the mobile objects are crafted from fabric with physical science designs that have been quilted, needle pointed, sewn or cross-stitched to the fabric.  All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.

3-D Model
-- 3-D Model projects may earn more than a B- if more than one model is completed. All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.
-- Extra points may also be earned if the 3-D objects are crafted from fabric with physical science designs that have been quilted, needle pointed, sewn or cross-stitched to the fabric.
All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.

Book Cover
Book Cover projects may earn more than a B- if the cover is crafted from fabric that has physical science designs that have been quilted, needle pointed, sewn or cross-stitched to both covers. All other required criteria must be met and the project must be attractive and easy to read and/or understand.

Physical Science Game
-- If your game has at least 30 question/answer items printed on index cards and can be played by a class of 25-30 students (Bingo or Jeopardy^® style) you will receive an additional 10 % bonus.
-- If your game also has the 30 question/answer items printed on overhead projector transparencies in letters at least 6 mm high or on tag board in letters at least 2.5 cm high, you will receive a 10% bonus.

Bulletin Boards
Assuming that all other criteria have been met, the following grading criteria will apply:
 -- The bulletin board project is a 2-person project.  If only one person is involved in the completion of the project an extra 10% will be awarded.
 -- Exceptionally attractive bulletin boards may earn up to an additional 20 %.
 -- Bulletin boards crafted from fabric with physical science designs that have been quilted, needle pointed, sewn or cross-stitched to the fabric may earn up to an additional 100 %.
 -- Incorrect information will be penalized 5 %.
 -- Missing items (title, border, etc.) will be penalized 5 % each.
 -- Sub-standard items (title, border, letter size, etc.) will be penalized 2 % each.
 -- Boards that are too small will lose 2 % for each 500 cm² less than 1 m² (10,000 cm²).

Pinhole Photography
Assuming that all other criteria have been met, the following grading criteria will apply:
 -- The Pinhole Photography project is a 2-3 person project.  If only one person is involved in the completion of the project an extra 30% will be awarded.
 -- Exceptionally good photographs may earn up to an addtional 20%.
 --  "Positives" that are of good quality may earn up to an addtional 20%.

Bubble Machines
 -- Bubble Machine projects that produce free floating bubbles (they come loose from the machine and float to the floor) will receive an extra 10 points (10%).
 -- Bubble Machine projects that produce free floating bubbles of three or more different sizes will receive an extra 10%.
 -- Bubble Machine projects that produce free floating bubbles with a diameter of more than 30 cm (1 foot) will receive an extra 30%.

Compound Machines
 -- Compound Machine projects that incorporate more than two compound machines will receive an extra 10% for each additional compound machine that works in conjunction with the other machines of the working model. (Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% or 100 points.)

Simple Machines
-- If you construct and demonstrate more than 4 different types of simple machines, you will earn an extra 5% for each extra machine.
-- If you can clearly explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of your simple machines, you will earn up to an additional 20%.
(Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% or 100 points.)

Contraption
--  You will receive 1%  extra credit for each moving part over the basic 10.
--  You will receive 30%  extra credit if your contraption "runs" without human intervention for a minimum of 30 seconds.
--  You will receive 30% extra credit if your contraption is powered by wind, solar energy, or gravity and performs a repetitious task for at least 2 repetitions without human intervention.
--  You will receive 50% extra credit if your contraption performs a repetitious task for at least 20 repetitions without human intervention.
-- You will receive 50% extra credit if your contraption incorporates all six simple machines in its function.
(Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% or 100 points.)

Computer Program
--  You will receive 2% extra credit for each additional question/answer item you provide in your computer program.
--  You will receive 20% extra credit if your program keeps track of the user's score and displays it on the screen when the user finishes the program.
--  You will receive 50% extra credit if your program asks for and stores the user's name and then saves the user's score to a text file with part of the user's name as the filename.
(Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% or 100 points.)

Chapter Study Projects

Score	Pt.		Score	Pt.		Score		Pt.		Score	Pt.		Score	Pt.		Score	Pt.
5-8	54		12	73		16		89		20	105		24	121		28	137
9	61		13	77		17		93		21	109		25	125		29	141
10	64		14	81		18		97		22	113		26	129		30	145
11	69		15	85		19		101		23	117		27	133

Scientific Math Projects
and
Chemical Formula/Equation Balancing Projects

Score	Pt.		Score	Pt.
4	61		8	85
5	66		9	95
6	68		10	105
7	75

Morse Code Study Projects

Score	Pt.		Score	Pt.		Score	Pt.
3	55		7	75		11	95
4	60		8	80		12	100
5	65		9	85		13	105
6	70		10	90

(Maximum grade increase due to extra points for any project is 100% or 100 points.)

Bridges & Towers
Note:  All structures OF PROPER LENGTH AND/OR HEIGHT that hold at least twice their own mass will receive at least a "C-"  (68%) if the structure complies with all construction rules.

Extra Credit Points
A maximum of 100 extra points may be applied to a marking period grade.  Points earned in excess of 200 will be awarded as science "credits".

Bonus Points Forfeiture
If a structure fails to comply with all construction criteria, no bonus points or extra credit will be earned regardless of how much weight the structure holds.

Underlength/Underheight Towers & Bridges
Structues that are too short will not be tested. The project will receive a maximum of 83% (B-) if all other construction criteria are met (e.g., correct style of toothpicks or spaghetti, correct type of glue).
If the structure is only 81-98% of the required length or height, the maximum grade will be 83% (B-).
If the structure is only 51-80% of the required length or height, the maximum grade will be 70% (C-).
If the structure is only 31-50% of the required length or height, the maximum grade will be 67% (D+).
If the structure is only 20-30% of the required length or height, the maximum grade will be 54% (D-).
If the structure is less than 20% of the required length or height, the maximum grade will be 20% (E).

Other Specific Penalties
-  Use of glue that is not water soluble will result in a penalty of at least 20%.
-  Use of toothpicks other than standard household flat toothpicks (or noodles other than spaghetti noodles) will result in a penalty of at least 20%.
-  Blocking or excessive lamination of toothpicks or spaghetti noodles will result in a penalty of at least 20%.
- If setup time exceeds 5 minutes, testing of the structure will be halted and the student will receive the minimum grade (C-) providing all construction criteria are met.
- If a bridge flexes more than 5 cm, testing of the structure will be halted and the student will receive a score based on the amount of mass held up to that point.
- If a tower falls over a third time without breaking, testing of the structure will be halted and the student will receive a score based on the amount of mass held up to that point.

Grading the Load Capacity
Note:  All structures OF PROPER LENGTH AND/OR HEIGHT that hold at least twice their own mass (equal to their own mass if spaghetti) will receive at least a "C-"  (68%) if the structure complies with all construction rules.

Phase I Toothpick Structures
Towers are required to hold 50 times their own mass (a ratio of 50:1) for a grade of 100%.

Bridges are required to hold 25 times their own mass (a ratio of 25:1) for a grade of 100%.

For each number higher than that ratio, a bonus of 1/2 point will be applied.

For each number lower than that ratio a penalty of 1 point will be subtracted (down to 68%).  Note: Other penalties may apply.  See info above.

For example:

• If your toothpick tower has a mass of 100 g and supports a mass of 5600 g (a ratio of 56:1), you will earn an additional 3 % for a total of 103%.
• If a 100 g toothpick tower will only support 4400 grams (a ratio of 44:1), a penalty of 6% will be subtracted for a total of 94%.
• If your toothpick bridge has a mass of 100 g and supports a mass of 2900 g, (a ratio of 27:1), you will earn an additional 2 % for a total of 102%.
• If a 100 g toothpick bridge will only support 2200 grams (a ratio of 22:1), a penalty of 3 % will be subtracted for a total of 97%.

Spaghetti Structures
Towers are required to hold 35 times their own mass for a grade of 100%.

Bridges are required to hold 15 times their own mass for a grade of 100%.

For each number higher than that ratio, a bonus of 1 % will be applied.

For each number lower than that ratio a penalty of 1/2 % will be subtracted (down to 68%).  Note: Other penalties may apply.  See info above.

For example:

• If your spaghetti tower has a mass of 100 g and supports a mass of 3800 g (a ratio of 38:1), you will earn an additional 3 % for a total of 103%.
• If a 100 g spaghetti tower will only support 3000 grams (a ratio of 30:1), a penalty of 2.5 % will be subtracted for a total of 97.5%.
• If your spaghetti bridge has a mass of 100 g and supports a mass of 1900 g, (a ratio of 19:1), you will earn an additional 4 % for a total of 104%.
• If a 100 g spaghetti bridge will only support 800 grams (a ratio of 8:1), a penalty of 3.5 % will be subtracted for a total of 96.5%.

Mass Values for Testing Equipment
mass of tower testing board - 847 g
mass of small tower testing boards - approximately 140 g
mass of large gray bucket - 918 g
mass of small bucket - 233 g
mass of sling strap & single hook apparatus - 32 g
mass of sling strap & double hook apparatus - 56 g