Division C 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

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)

Protein Modeling
Information about the protein modeling event can be found at http://cbm.msoe.edu/stupro/so/index.html
Kit ordering (and suggestions for alternatives to kits) can be found athttp://cbm.msoe.edu/stupro/so/index.html
The RCSB PDB has updated their site with tips and more at http://education.pdb.org/olympiad/index.html
Questions about the NJ protein modeling event/proteins and requests for practice tooters may be sent to buildmodels@deposit.rcsb.org
(08-Dec-2011)

Thermodynamics:

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)

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)