Interhouse Science Competition

​Round 1: Wayground Challenge

Round 1: Wayground Challenge

Instructions

1. Please be seated at your respective tables. Go to Wayground - https://wayground.com/join and type in the code.

2. Type your Name and House name. e.g Timothy (Mark house)

Round 1: Wayground Challenge

Instructions

1. This round is judged on two criteria:

   1. Accuracy (Most Correct): Prioritized for the highest score.

   2. Speed (Fastest): Used as the tie-breaker for groups with the same high score."

Scoring:

1. First place: 20 points
2. Second place: 15 points
3. Third place: 10 points
4. Fourth place: 5 points

​Round 2: Hands on Challenge

​Egg Drop Challenge: Mission "Safe" Landing

Crash Landing on Planet EGGZOR 🚀

Story Introduction

Year 2085 – Planet EGGZOR-9

The Ares VII is lost. A devastating meteor storm has crippled the spacecraft, forcing your astronauts to eject in damaged escape pods. They survived the vacuum, but their pods are ill-equipped for a safe landing.

You are the Engineering Team.

Your singular, critical Mission is to save the astronaut in the final phase of descent.

---

Story Introduction

Year 2085 – Planet EGGZOR-9

The Challenge

Design a Landing Capsule—a protective shock-absorption system—to shield your astronaut (represented by an egg) from a fatal impact.

---

Science Concepts

• Gravity – Force pulling the capsule down

• Air Resistance – Opposes gravity; slows fall

• Impact Force – Force when capsule hits ground

• Energy Transfer – Absorb/reduce kinetic energy

• Design Process – Plan → Build → Test → Improve

Each group will be given

• 3 eggs

• 1 stack newspaper

• 10 rubber bands

• 3 plastic bag

• 1 scissors

• 1 tape

• 10 straws

Rules:

1. Use only provided materials.

2. Build a capsule for one egg.

3. 20 mins to complete.

4. Drop test from first floor and second floor.

5. Egg must survive – no cracks!

Rules:

1. Design and Build the Prototype (20 min) 

2. Testing (10 min) – Drop capsule

Drop from first floor - no cracks on the egg, must be able to be easily removed from capsule. Teams that manage to drop with no cracks on the eggs will move to test 2.

Test 2 - drop from second floor - no cracks, must be easy to remove from container 

Teams with no/least amount of cracks found on the egg wins.

Scoring:

1. First place: 40 points
2. Second place: 30 points
3. Third place: 20 points
4. Fourth place: 10 points

​Round 3: Buzzer Challenge

Round 3: Buzzer Challenge

Instructions: Before the game

1. Each team of 2 will have one phone to buzz in. Go to this website https://www.multibuzz.app/.

2. Type in the room code, your house name and team number e.g. (Mark 1, John 2).

Round 3: Buzzer Challenge

Instructions: Game start

1. The Question Master reads the question out loud completely. Players must not buzz in until the full question is read out.

2. As soon as the question is read completely , players can press their buzzer and wait for instructions to answer, once you are called to answer, you must answer in 5 seconds.

3. If buzzer is pressed before question is fully read out, 3 points will be deducted.

Round 3: Buzzer Challenge

Scoring

5 points: first team to buzz and answers correctly


3 points: second team to buzz and answers correctly.

0 points: wrong answer/did not press buzzer

deduct 2 points: buzzer is pressed before question is fully read out and after two chances is given.

Junior Round 1: 10 Questions

​C. freezing

D. melting

​A. A change in shape

B. Color change and gas formation

Q1. Which of these is evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?

​
B. Color change and gas formation

Q1. Which of these is evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?

​C. veins have higher pressure
D. to carry blood into the capillary

​A. carry oxygenated blood

B. withstand high pressure

Q2. Why do arteries have thick walls?

​

B. withstand high pressure

Q2. Why do arteries have thick walls?

​C. using a dimmer light source.


D. making the object transparent.

​A. moving the light source closer to the object.

B. moving the light source farther from the object.

Q3. Which of the following will make a shadow sharper and darker?

​A. moving the light source closer to the object.

Q3. Which of the following will make a shadow sharper and darker?

​C. increasing the vibration frequency.


D. increasing the amplitude.

​A. making the vibrating object longer.

B. decreasing the vibration frequency.

Q4. Which change would increase the pitch of the sound?

​C. increasing the vibration frequency.

Q4. Which change would increase the pitch of the sound?

​C. plastic produces heat when touched.


D. metal has a lower density than plastic.

​A. metal absorbs heat from your hand faster.

B. metal reflects light more efficiently.

Q5. Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a plastic spoon in the same cup of cold water?

​A. metal absorbs heat from your hand faster.

Q5. Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a plastic spoon in the same cup of cold water?

Q6. Which process causes water droplets to form on the outside of a cold glass?

Q6. Which process causes water droplets to form on the outside of a cold glass?

Condensation

Q7. Which system in the human body transports oxygen to cells?

Q7. Which system in the human body transports oxygen to cells?

Circulatory System

Q8. Why do we see lightning before we hear thunder?

Q8. Why do we see lightning before we hear thunder?

because light travels faster than sound

​C. iron rusting.


D. sugar dissolving.

​A. ice melting.

B. water boiling.

Q9. Which of the following is a chemical change?

​C. iron rusting.

Q9. Which of the following is a chemical change?

Q10. What state of matter has a fixed volume but no fixed shape?

Junior Round 2: 10 Questions

Q10. What state of matter has a fixed volume but no fixed shape?

liquid

End of Buzzer Challenge Junior Round 1

Junior Round 2: 10 Questions

Q1. What is the largest organ in the human body?

Q1. What is the largest organ in the human body?

skin

Q2. What is the "powerhouse of the cell" where energy is generated?

Q2. What is the powerhouse of the cell where energy is generated?

mitochondria

​C. glucose turns into water


D. the heart stops pumping blood.

​A. too much oxygen enters the blood

B. lactic acid builds up in the muscle.

Q3. Why do muscles get tired after an intense exercise?

B. lactic acid builds up in the muscle.

Q3. Why do muscles get tired after an intense exercise?

​C. the rods gains mass.


D. the rod melts.

​A. atoms move faster and push each other apart.

B. electrons leave the rod.

Q4. Which of the following best explains why a metal rod expands when heated?

​A. atoms move faster and push each other apart.

Q4. Which of the following best explains why a metal rod expands when heated?

​C. it doubles.

D. it becomes zero.

Q5. A boat floats on water. If the boat's mass doubles, what happens to the volume of water displaced?

​A. it stays the same.

B. it halves.

​C. it doubles.

Q5. A boat floats on water. If the boat's mass doubles, what happens to the volume of water displaced?

​C. they absorb all colors equally.

D. green light is the only light in sunlight.

Q6. Which statement explains why leaves appear green?

​A. they absorb green light.

B. chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs red and blue.

Q6. Which statement explains why leaves appear green?

​

B. chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs red and blue.

​C. speed decreases, bends away from normal.

D. speed increases, bends towards normal.

Q7. A ray of light moves from air into water at an angle. Which statement is correct?

​A. speed increases, bends away from normal.

B. speed decreases, bends towards normal.

Q7. A ray of light moves from air into water at an angle. Which statement is correct?

​

B. speed decreases, bends towards normal.

Q8. Which planet is famously known as the "red planet"?

Q8. Which planet is famously known as the red planet?

​

Mars

Q9. A metal block has a mass of 150 grams and a volume of 50 cm³. What is its density?

Q9. A metal block has a mass of 150 grams and a volume of 50 cm³. What is its density?

3 g/cm³

Q10. A student runs a distance of 400 meters. It takes her exactly 80 seconds to complete. Calculate the student's average speed and state the correct unit.

Q10. A student runs a distance of 400 meters. It takes her exactly 80 seconds to complete. Calculate the student's average speed and state the correct unit.

5 m/s

End of Buzzer Challenge Junior Round 2

Senior Round 1: 10 Questions

​C. DNA is made of protein

D. DNA forms single helix.

Q1. Which statement about the structure of DNA is correct?

​A. base A always pairs with base C.

B. base A always pairs with base T.

Q1. Which statement about the structure of DNA is correct?

​

B. base A always pairs with base T.

Q2. The active site of an enzyme is ......... to an area on the substrate.

Q2. The active site of an enzyme is ......... to an area on the substrate.

​

Complementary

Q3. What happens to the atrioventricular valves when the ventricles contract?

Q3. What happens to the atrioventricular valves when the ventricles contract?

​

Close

Q4. What happens to the semilunar valves when the ventricles contract?

Q4. What happens to the semilunar valves when the ventricles contract?

​

Open

​C. hydroelectric

D. nuclear

Q5. Electricity can be obtained from different energy resources. Which energy resource is used to obtain electricity without producing heat to boil water?

​A. coal

B. geothermal

​C. hydroelectric

Q5. Electricity can be obtained from different energy resources. Which energy resource is used to obtain electricity without producing heat to boil water?

​C. average potential energy in a substance

D. average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance

Q6. Temperature is a measure of the...

​A. total energy in a substance

B. total kinetic energy in a substance

D. average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance

Q6. Temperature is a measure of the...

Q7. Which color among red, green and blue has the shortest wavelength?

Q7. Which color among red, green and blue has the shortest wavelength?

​

Blue

Q8. An atom of an element has 15 protons, 16 neutrons, and 15 electrons. What is the nucleon number (mass number) of this atom?

Q8. An atom of an element has 15 protons, 16 neutrons, and 15 electrons. What is the nucleon number (mass number) of this atom?

31

​C. water

D. sodium chloride

Q9. Which of the following substances exists as a giant molecular (covalent) structure?

​A. copper

B. diamond

Q9. Which of the following substances exists as a giant molecular (covalent) structure?

​

B. diamond

Q10. The relative atomic mass (A_r) are H= 1, S= 32, O=16. Calculate the relative formula mass (M_r) of sulfuric acid, H₂SO_{4 .}

Q10. The relative atomic mass (A_r) are H= 1, S= 32, O=16. Calculate the relative formula mass (M_r) of sulfuric acid, H₂SO_{4 .}

​

98

End of Buzzer Challenge Senior Round 1

Senior Round 2: 10 Questions

​C. Potassium has a smaller atomic radius than sodium.

D. Potassium has a lower melting point than sodium.

Q1. Which statement best explains why potassium is more reactive than sodium in Group 1 of the Periodic Table?

​A. Potassium has fewer electrons in its outer shell than sodium.

B. Potassium's outer electron is further from the nucleus and less attracted to it, making it easier to lose.

Q1. Which statement best explains why potassium is more reactive than sodium in Group 1 of the Periodic Table?

B. Potassium's outer electron is further from the nucleus and less attracted to it, making it easier to lose.

Q2. 2.0 moles of sodium chloride (NaCl) are dissolved in water to make 500cm₃ of solution. What is the concentration of solution in mol/dm_{3 .}

Q2. 2.0 moles of sodium chloride (NaCl) are dissolved in water to make 500cm₃ of solution. What is the concentration of solution in mol/dm_{3 .}

4.0 mol/dm₃

Q3. When molten lead(II) bromide is electrolysed, which product is formed at the cathode?

Q3. When molten lead(II) bromide is electrolysed, which product is formed at the cathode?

lead metal (Pb)

Q4. A squid moves through the water by ejecting water out of its body into the surrounding water. When the water is pushed out, the ejected water pushes back and thrusts the squid forward. What is the law at work here?

​A. first law of motion (law of inertia).

B. second law of motion (law of force and acceleration).

​C. Third Law of Motion (law of motion and reaction)

D. Fourth Law of Motion (law of balanced forces)

Q4. A squid moves through the water by ejecting water out of its body into the surrounding water. When the water is pushed out, the ejected water pushes back and thrusts the squid forward. What is the law at work here?

​C. Third Law of Motion (law of motion and reaction)

Q5. Two football players with mass 75 kg and 100 kg run directly toward each other with speeds of 6 m/s and 8 m/s respectively. If they grab each other as they collide, the combined speed of the two players just after the collision would be:

Q5. Two football players with mass 75 kg and 100 kg run directly toward each other with speeds of 6 m/s and 8 m/s respectively. If they grab each other as they collide, the combined speed of the two players just after the collision would be:

2 m/s

Q6. All of the waves listed below are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum except...

​A. x rays

B. sound waves

​C. gamma rays

D. light waves

Q6. All of the waves listed below are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum except...

B. sound waves

Q7. What are the end products of anaerobic respiration in yeast cells?

Q7. What are the end products of anaerobic respiration in yeast cells?

carbon dioxide, ethanol and energy

Q8. Which reagent is correctly used to test for the presence of protein in a food sample, and what is the positive result?

Q8. Which reagent is correctly used to test for the presence of protein in a food sample, and what is the positive result?

biuret reagent, changes from blue to purple.

Q9. The inner surface of the small intestine is covered with numerous, tiny projections called villi. Describe three distinct structural adaptations of the villi that collectively ensure the most efficient absorption of digested food molecules.

​A. Short length; single layer of cells; high number of mitochondria.

B. Thick walls; low pH conditions; presence of bile.

​C. Large surface area; short diffusion distance; excellent blood supply.

D. Many guard cells; presence of chloroplasts; large vacuole.

Q9. The inner surface of the small intestine is covered with numerous, tiny projections called villi. Describe three distinct structural adaptations of the villi that collectively ensure the most efficient absorption of digested food molecules.

​C. Large surface area; short diffusion distance; excellent blood supply.

Q10. Which statement best explains the primary advantage of the human double circulatory system (pulmonary and systemic) compared to a single circulatory system?

​A. It prevents the backflow of blood, especially in the veins.

B. It completely separates deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation.

​C. It allows the blood to be pumped to the lungs and the rest of the body at the same high pressure.

D. It requires less energy to pump the blood through the entire body.

Q10. Which statement best explains the primary advantage of the human double circulatory system (pulmonary and systemic) compared to a single circulatory system?

B. It completely separates deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation.

End of Buzzer Challenge Senior Round 2