Summer camp 2019
Science Competition Camp RECAP
Our Instructors
Michael Zhao
Experience in Events Taught:
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National Science Bowl
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Champion
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Anatomy & Physiology
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2nd at Regionals
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Disease Detectives
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1st at States
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Synopsys Science Fair
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Honorable Mention
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Kaylia Mai
Experience in Events Taught:
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Optics
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2nd at States
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Anatomy & Physiology
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6th at States
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Code Busters
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3rd at Regionals
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Mission Possible
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2nd at Invitationals
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Sohan Talluri
Experience in Events Taught:
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Meteorology
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4th at States
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Fermi Questions
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2nd at Regionals
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Experimental Design
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2nd at Regionals
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Sounds of Music
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8th at Regionals
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Tiffany Hwang
Experience in Events Taught:
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Ecology
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4th at States
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Water Quality
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2nd at Regionals
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Write It Do It
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4th at States
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Sounds of Music
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8th at Regionals
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Alec Chen
Experience in Events Taught:
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Crime Busters
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3rd at States
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Forensics
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2nd at Invitationals
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Angela Jiao
Experience in Events Taught:
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Anatomy & Physiology
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1st at States
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Herpetology
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2nd at Regionals
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Fast Facts
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4th at States
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Sidharth Kannan
Experience in Events Taught:
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Mystery Architecture
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2nd at States
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- Meteorology
- 2nd at States
Craig Liu
Experience in Events Taught:
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Herpetology
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2nd at States
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Forensics
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2nd at Invitationals
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Aarushi Mehotra
Experience in Events Taught:
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Thermodynamics
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1st at States
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Code Busters
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3rd at Regionals
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Andrew Yuan
Experience in Events Taught:
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Science Bowl
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2nd at National
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Ecology
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1st at States
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Optics
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1st at Regional
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Rohit Suresh
Experience in Events Taught:
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Anatomy & Physiology
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2nd at Regionals
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- Disease Detectives
- 1st at States
- Detector Building
- 5th at States
Joe Lin
Experience in Events Taught:
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Synopsys Science Fair
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1st on Biomedical Device
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- Battery Buggy
- 1st at States
- Meteorology
- 2nd at States
Raymond Shao
Experience in Events Taught:
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Mission Possible
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2nd at Invitational
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- Crime Busters
- 1st at States
- Roller Coaster
- 1st at States
Annie Hwang
Experience in Events Taught:
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Water Quality
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Sounds of Music
day 1: 6/10
During this morning's Code Busters, students learned about different cryptograms and how to use them. The ciphers learned included the Atbash cipher, the Caesar cipher, the Baconian cipher, and the Aristocrat/monoalphabetic cipher. The Patristocrat and affine ciphers were briefly introduced. Outside of solving ciphers, the students also acquired the skill of counting in binary and learned about the applications of cryptography, such as sending messages in World War II and computer password encrypting. They then took part in a friendly group competition activity in which they worked together and raced to solve various ciphers. At the end, each student received a handout that detailed the ciphers taught and provided pointers to help them in decryption.
Sample Question:
Solve the following Atbash cipher: UFM ZG XZNK
During Veterinarians this afternoon, students learned about the major human body systems and later applied that knowledge in a frog dissection. The students located the frogs' major organs and compared them with human organs, and they also learned about the specific adaptations of frogs that help them survive in the wild. After the dissection, the students drew the frog anatomy from memory while the instructors gave comments related to the accuracy of the labels and the positioning of the organs. Toward the end of the session, the students were quizzed on the major body systems of both humans and frogs.
Sample Question:
At the bottom of the Loop of Henle, what substances are in high concentration?
day 2: 6/11
During Mission Possible this morning, students learned about the components of Rube Goldberg machines and the strategies used to build them. All six of the simple machines were introduced, as well as the concept of mechanical advantage. The students learned about the calculation and benefits of ideal versus actual mechanical advantages, along with the concepts of electrical and chemical actions. After that, the students applied the concepts taught to build their own Rube Goldberg machines, moving ping pong balls into a cup. At the end, all the students shared their projects with each other.
Sample Question:
If an inclined plane is 2 feet long and 1 foot tall, what is the IMA?
During today's afternoon session of Magic Lights, students learned the basic physics of light and optics, such as the laws of reflection and refraction; how to calculate image distances and draw ray diagrams of curved lenses and mirrors; and how to calculate energy, wavelength, and frequency. During the lab portion of the session, the students both witnessed a recreation of the famous Double-Slit Experiment and learned about the geometry of reflection and light through a laser shoot exercise. While some students were doing the lab, others worked on a comprehensive worksheet/review of the principles taught.
Sample Question:
Determine whether or not Total Internal Reflection occurs when light passes from water (index of refraction is 1.333) to air (index of refraction 1.00029) at forty five degrees from the normal.
day 3: 6/12
During the Science Bowl lecture series this morning, students were introduced to the fundamentals of Science Bowl, including its unique rules and strategies as well as an overview of each of six topics that Science Bowl covers: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Earth and Space, and Energy. Students were also given insightful competitive advice by the instructors, who are previous National Middle School Science Bowl champions and finalists. Students were able to watch previous National Middle School Science Bowl competition videos and hear the instructors provide analysis of the competition.
Sample Question:
Toss-Up: Life Science (Short Answer): What is the most common simple sugar or monosaccharide that makes up most of the carbohydrates of the typical American’s diet?
During today’s afternoon session, students were able to try their hand at mock Science Bowl competitions. Students were split into teams by age, and then rounds were done using a buzzer system and official questions. Moderators were experienced National Middle School Science Bowl champions and finalists who helped students correct some common mistakes and errors that mark the difference between novice and advanced Science Bowl competitors.
Sample Question:
Bonus: Earth Science (Multiple Choice): The area known as the ‘ring of fire’ is prone to intense earthquake and volcanic activity because this is where:
W) the oceanic crust is the thinnest
X) the oceanic crust is the densest
Y) density differences between the lithosphere and the mantle are most pronounced
Z) most convergent plate boundaries are found
(Remember to listen to the format of any multiple choice answers, and make sure you don’t double-interrupt!)
2017 National Middle School Science Bowl
Joaquin Miller Middle School- Champion
Instructor & 2017 Team Member: Michael Zhao
Start at 26:24
2019 National Middle School Science Bowl
Joaquin Miller Middle School- 2nd Place
Instructor & 2019 Team Captain: Andrew Yuan
Start at 34:43
day 4: 6/13
During today's session of Forensics Detectives, students learned the basics of the chemistry behind criminal investigation. They learned some simple properties, uses, and reactions of various powders, liquids, and metals, and then they watched the instructors demonstrate the distinct reactions for most of the materials. Additional instruction on polymers and physical evidence was also given. To apply the skills taught, students were given a practice test to complete at the end of the lesson.
Sample Question:
If a powder is acidic and turns iodine clear, what might it be?
During the Intro to Science Fair lesson this afternoon, students were informed about the Synopsys Science Fair and the steps they need to take to apply and prepare for the fair. The students also got to see the instructor's own project from the previous year, which won First Place at the Synopsys Science Fair and advanced to the California Science and Engineering Fair. After this, the students had the opportunity to make their own ideas during a brainstorming session. During this time, everyone worked hard to generate a project idea in groups with the guidance of the instructors.
Pollen detectors
Timing the effects of Brawl Stars (video game) on anger
A phone case that bounces like jelly
The design and construction of a device that wakes up students who are falling asleep
The Ballpicker (picks up a ball for you without you needing to bend over)
A device that watches your running/sprinting posture
Using natural vs. synthetic materials to design fireproof clothing
day 5: 6/14
During this morning's Water Quality lesson, students learned about the general principles of ecology and water quality, such as life history patterns, biomagnification, and trophic states, and they were given an overview of potential topics that may appear on the Science Olympiad event test. The students were also provided with mnemonics to help memorize aquatic flora and fauna, as well as tips on how to anticipate and answer unexpected questions. At the end of the lesson, the students made and calibrated a salinometer and were challenged to figure out the salinity of two mystery liquids.
Sample Question:
What do most wastewater treatment plants in the U.S. use to decontaminate water?
During the Sounds of Music lesson this afternoon, students learned about the physics and various phenomena of sound. The students learned about all five of the different types of instruments, along with the concepts of human sound perception and resonance. The students were also introduced to wave physics through concepts such as Doppler shift and wave interference. The instructors played musical instruments that they had previously built and explained the constraints, challenges, and tips in designing and constructing an instrument from scratch. At the end, the students were able to build and play their own basic panflutes.
Sample Question:
If a Wave A interferes with Wave B, which has a frequency that is 1 Hz higher than that of Wave A, how many beats per second will be perceived?