Division B Rules Clarifications

Be sure to monitor and read the National Rules Clarifications issued by National Science Olympiad
All rules clarifications issued by National Science Olympiad also apply to all New Jersey Regional and State Tournaments.

National Science Olympiad Rules Clarifications

Event rules for ALL Science Olympiad events printed in the 2012 Official Rules Manuals supersede any and all materials found at the "Science Olympiad Student Center Wiki" or anywhere else online. The "Science Olympiad Student Center Wiki" is not maintained by National Science Olympiad. National Science Olympiad does not publish any event rules online or any location other than the Official Rules Manual.

2012 New Jersey Clarifications

Compute This: Computing environments will be
State Championhip - Microsoft Office 2010 on Windows 7 (07-Dec-2011)

Forestry: 2012 New Jersey Tree List (27-Oct-2011, revised 05-Dec-2011)

Helicopters: Room size for this event will be
State Championship - 255' x 143' x 28' (07-Dec-2011)

Keep the Heat:

As indicated in the event rules, students MUST bring the items listed in the event rules.

It is RECOMMENDED that they also bring two thermometers

The 50 minute event scenario will occur as follows:
* 5 - 10 minutes setup, obtain water, etc
* 30 minutes of heat loss (20 minute exam will be embedded in wait period)
* 5 - 10 minutes of tear down and pack up (31-Jan-2012)

Mission Possible:
One team asked, "Can we do more than one task using the same component? More specifically, since there is more than one time the use of a lever is required, can we use the same lever(s) to fulfill multiple requirements?"

While it is possible to imagine ways in which an individual device or component could be used multiple times in the same sequence without breaking the rules, participants need to be very careful not to have parallel tasks, and an individual activation of a physical device cannot be counted twice as two different tasks (in other words, the physical device would need to be activated two separate times in the sequence in order for it to count as two separate tasks – without creating parallel tasks either time). For clarity and simplicity, I would recommend that it is best to use each physical device or component for only one task. (15-Dec-2011)

Mission Possible - B
Information for 2012 NJ State Tournament

Please read the following carefully!

Registration for event:

All teams who will be competing in MP-B at the state tournament MUST notify the event supervisor by email before March 2, 2012. Information required:

School name, ID
Coach name
Coach email
Desired Session (1-4)

Please note that ALL teams must check in and IMPOUND their devices before session 1 (i.e. between 8:30 AM and 9:20 AM). Teams will be given final instructions (including the "ideal" running time) AFTER they have impounded devices.

Send information to: curt@Princeton.EDU

Teams not registered by March 2 will not be allowed to compete!

Task Sequence Lists:

Each competing team must send a completed task sequence list (EXCEL or WORD), in the format specified in the event rules, by email to Curt Hillegas, curt@Princeton.EDU by March 9, 2012. Note: If modifications are made to the device after this date teams must BRING 6 copies of the corrected task sequence list with them and submit the revised list at time of device impound.

Please indicate on the task list:

School name, ID
Student names, Session number

Please feel free to send me any questions you may have!

Competition details:

1. Teams judged not in compliance with SAFETY requirements will be only awarded PARTICIPATION points. Teams without safety goggles during device set up and operation will not be allowed to compete and scored as a no-show.

2. Note that 100 points are awarded for timely submission and accuracy of the task sequence list. This includes numbering the components IN THE DEVICE corresponding to the steps in the list.

3. Set up time is limited to 30 minutes. Device set up will occur during the session. All teams must notify the event supervisor BEFORE beginning to set up as points are awarded for completion of set up within 30 minutes.

4. Teams will be scored in three tiers: Tier 1 will be those without any violations; Tier 2, devices with construction violations or parallel or "dead end paths; Tier 3, devices impounded after the deadline (the deadline is 9:20 am on the day of the event).

Rule clarifications: VERY IMPORTANT

There are no rule clarifications listed on the National Science Olympiad site for Mission Possible B as of 1/22/2012; however, attached is a summary of Mission Possible B FAQs taken from the National SO website.

(section: 4 / paragraph: f / line: 1)
11/20/2011 - 21:55 How is IMA determined?
IMA is determined by the output distance moved divided by the input distance moved.

(section: 4 / paragraph: m / line: 1)
12/02/2011 - 13:55 Can the paddle wheel have cup-like paddles or only completely flat paddles?
The paddle wheel may have any type of paddles to complete the task as described.

(section: 4 / paragraph: m / line: 2)
10/28/2011 - 09:08 What describes a granular material?
A granular material is a conglomeration of discrete solid, macroscopic particles characterized by a loss of energy whenever the particles interact (the most common example would be friction when grains collide). Some examples of granular materials are nuts, coal, sand, rice, coffee, corn flakes, fertilizer, sugar, nuts, popcorn, ball bearings, etc. (26-Jan-2012)

Towers:
The rules state that teams will be given buckets with 15.0 kg of sand.  For the finals we give the team a bucket that contains more than 15 kg of sand and students may load their tower to exceed 15.0 kg if they choose. The score will be based on 15.0 kg maximum. Loading to the point of failure is more fun for everyone and will not affect the official team ranking. We assume that towers will not be reused for Nationals.

If a team wants an exact 15.0 kg of sand they must request it at check in and we will accommodate but remember that spillage may result in a load that is under the maximum. 

The loading block, chain and a load cell will be part of the station and will not be weighed with the final bucket.  These items have been weighed and that mass will be added to the bucket mass, up to the maximum of 15.0 kg.

The load cell will provide a digital readout on the projector of the bucket mass during loading and the time elapsed.  We do this to make the event more interesting for the spectators.  The digital bucket mass is for reference only.  The time is the official time and it starts when the team is assigned a station.  The official score will be the bucket weighed on a triple beam balance plus the weight of the loading block, etc.

Comment to all Tower Teams:  the most competitive teams are usually the teams with the lightest structures that fail under load.  Please read the rules carefully and be confident that your dimensions and materials comply.  Also remember the rules regarding decorum during the competition.  Teams will be disqualified if coaches or parents interfere or interact with their teams or any of the judges during the competition. (26-Jan-2012)

Write It Do It (all tournaments): The materials used in this year's competition will be primarily household and/or craft materials. Materials may include, but are in no way limited to the following items: cups, toothpicks, small candies, coins, beads, pipe cleaners, paper clips, cutlery items, nuts/bolts/screws, etc. (03-Dec-2011, revised 07-Dec-2011)