Rule Clarifications and tips

Ruling re: "Handwritten Notes":

Handwritten notes means pen or pencil notes in an individual or individuals own handwriting. Text that is generated by computer and printed out does not qualify as handwritten and will be disallowed. Text that is handwritten and processed will be disallowed. Processed means run through some technological device to change the original nature of the handwriting. For example: copying or scanning handwritten material to reduce its size will not be allowed. If the coordinator cannot tell that the notes are the original ink or pencil on the paper, the notes will be disallowed. Please note that the teams notes will be turned in with their scenario answers. Also note that the list of unknowns will not be provided by the coordinator this year.

OTHER HINTS

Part 2. Safety is taken seriously by the coordinator. Participants who do not meet the dress code or do not have the proper safety equipment (including clean up equipment) will not be allowed to participate. Pants or skirts must reach at least mid calf (no shorts; no baggy, boxer showing pants; capris are acceptable).

Part 3a. Kit checks and safety will be a part of registration at the lab the day of the event. Additional items will be disallowed. Nonconforming notes will be disallowed. We will make a note in our registration if you brought notes. Failure to turn over your notes with the rest of your report, if you brought them, will result in disqualification. See previous ruling on handwritten notes.

Part 4a, b, c. Only some of the unknowns given in each of these section are related to the crime scene. They will be highlighted as "evidence" in the case description.

Part 4b. Participants should expect to do at least one plastics identification, at least one hair and/or fiber identification, and at least one DNA electropherogram (or equivalent numerical representation of a DNA electropherogram).

Part 4 b and c. Participants will be expected to do paper chromatography and compare their analysis to a standard. The actual performance of the paper chromatorgaphy will be judged in Part 4c. The comparison of their paper chromatography and correct identification of the unknown will be judged in Part 4b.

Part 4f. The best essay will address why and how each piece of evidence is probative to the case or not.

Ruling re: "Handwritten Notes":

ADDITIONAL HINTS

Part 4a, b, c, d. Only some of the unknowns in each of these sections are related to the crime scene. They will be highlighted as "evidence" in the case description.

Part 4b. Participants should expect the minimum number of unknowns in this section, 7 samples. Participants should expect at least one plastic. Burn data will be provided for plastics by the coordinator.

Part 4c. Participants should expect to perform and analyze one chromatography experiment (either paper or thin-layer) on a sample.

Part 4d. Participants will not be doing iv (entomology), vi (seeds and pollen), or viii (blood) at this state competition. All other categories are fair game. Students may be asked to interpret DNA electropherograms or the numerical equivalent of a DNA electropherogram. There will be three (3) subsections of Part 4d in the event.

Balloon Launched Glider 2008

This is a FUN competition. To make sure we maximize your fun and minimize frustration, please follow the official Science Olympiad guidelines. Here are a few important facts about the 2008 competition at Weber State University.

TEAMS MUST BRING THEIR OWN BALLOON LAUNCHER

We will have a balloon launcher as a backup if yours is inoperable. Our current launch platform consisting of a large round balloon secured with one ribbon on the bottom to which the fishing line is attached. The fishing line is payed out and taken up with a fishing reel attached to a very short fishing pole. There is also a separate ribbon attached to one side that can be pulled to tip the balloon and launch the glider or if you prefer--the balloon can just be yanked out from under the glider. On top of the balloon we have attached a legal size piece of paper pleated into 4 ribs (/\/\/\/\) upon which to place the glider and keep it from slipping off on the way up.

The hardest part of this method of launching the glider, is smoothly raising the balloon so that it doesn't bounce on the way up and jiggle the glider off the top before you are ready to launch. Practice, practice, practice...

Special note for last minute repairs. This is not an endorsement or advertising, but I know that Smith's Food and Drug on Harrison just south west of the WSU campus has both helium and office supplies--such as tape, etc. We will not have helium in the Dee Events Center.

In the Dee Events Center, we have a height limit of 10.0 meters (32.8 feet for the metric impaired). We will have target balloons set up so you can adjust the height of your launcher either before or during your competition. At this height there is a possibility of hitting seats at a level much higher than the floor, unless your glider is adjusted to fly a spiral flight path. It is my intention to stop timing at the moment of impact with any stationary object or the floor--whichever occurs first.

Rules to note:

Pay attention to glider parameters--we do!
a. Total mass of the glider must be at least 2.0 grams throughout the flight.
b. The glider must be a monoplane (one wing) not exceeding a maximum horizontally projected wing span of 48.0 cm,

a maximum wing chord (straight line distance from leading edge of wing to trailing edge, parallel to the fuselage) of 10.0 cm,

a maximum horizontally projected stabilizer span of 28.0 cm, and

a maximum stabilizer chord of 9.0 cm.

Only contestants, judges and judges' assistants will be allowed in the event area while teams are competing. There are other events occurring on the floor of the Dee Events Center and we will try to minimize the number of obstacles in the glider flight path.

We check the log books--make sure they are complete.
At least 4 parameters should be recorded for each of ten or more test flights. As a reminder, minimum parameters are:
Height of balloon at glider launch
Glider mass at launch
Flight time
Any other parameter selected by the team.

We have a very limited area for storage for balloon launchers and gliders. This area is just behind the judges table and is an open area accessible by anyone. We do not guarantee the safety of your belongings. That being said, we have also not had any problems with damaged or missing launchers and gliders. Anything left behind at the end of the day becomes the property of WSU.

The web site at soinc.org (http://www.soinc.org/events/blg/index.htm) is very good and I recommend that you visit and read the FAQ and other articles and suggestions from fellow contestants and coaches. We are happy to answer any specific questions you may have about the 2008 competition at WSU.

Have fun with the balloons and we'll see you in March!