Practice Tests
To help you get a feel for the format of the South Plains Math & Science Competition, here are some example practice tests from past contests. (They're also great for schools looking to get ahead of the competition.)
2007 Competition
The contest format changed in 2007, and now students compete in general high school and middle school contests within their grade division instead of subject-area tests.
Math Contests
Science Contests
Engineering Challenge
Design and assemble a windmill to lift a wooden spool from the floor to table height. Provide detailed drawings of the lifting device from different perspectives as well as a parts list. You can use cardboard, wooden skewers, duct tape, chipboard, string, plastic beads, drinking straws and craft sticks.
Evaluation criteria:
- Does it lift the spool?
- How well was the design process documented?
- How innovative is the design?
2006 Competition
Answer keys are not available for 2006 tests.
Math Contests
Science Contests
Engineering Challenge
Design and build a flotation device for a bowling ball. Provide detailed drawings of the flotation device from different perspectives as well as a parts list. You can use cardboard, styrofoam, plastic sheets and duct tape.
Evaluation criteria:
- Does the device float a bowling ball for one minute?
- How well was the design process documented?
- How innovative is the design?
2005 Competition
Mathematics Contests
Science Contests
Engineering Challenge
Design and construct a contraption that automatically sorts ping-pong balls, golf balls, and marbles into three separate bins. Provide detailed drawings of the sorting device from different perspectives as well as a parts list. You can use poster board, rubber bands, duct tape and popsicle sticks.
Evaluation criteria:
- How effective is the device at sorting?
- How well was the design process documented
- How innovative is the design?
T-STEM Center, Box 43103, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3103
806.742.3451