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RULE CLARIFICATION AND
HELPFUL LINKS
Event Clarifications, Q&As, and Resources:
Any questions regarding clarification of rules must be submitted in writing to sciencefair@admin.nmt.edu.
FAQ link on the National website is also very helpful: http://www.soinc.org
Updated: 02/20/2013
The tentative event schedule will be posted on our website the week of the Olympiad.
It is always tentative until the day of the event.
2012/13 Science Olympiad
Fall Coaches Workshop Presentations
New Mexico Science Olympiad
Clarification Rules
Thermodynamics /Keep the Heat (01/04/2013) - Tau Beta Pi
Q. Is horticultural-type perlite considered a type of foam? In other words, can perlite be used as an insulator for the thermodynamic box?
A. Since perlite is an "organic" material, is not considered a commercial insulation and doesn't fit in the category of a foam. Therefore it is allowed in the competition.
Q. Is duct tape allowed in the construction of the heat box?
A. Yes duct tape is allowed.
Boomilever (2/20/2013)- Dr. Tim Hankins, co-event supervisor.
Q. My boomilever coach has requested I ask that the sand used for the Boomilever event to be dry and free flowing, as stated in the event description part 2c. There have been problems in the past with damp, clumpy sand being used that made it difficult to pour and to measure the the precise amount of weight that could be held by a tower, bridge or boomilever.
A. We've been using the same sand for something like 20 years. Please rest assured that it will be dry and non-clumpy. It probably has some shards of balsa wood from previous failed bridges and towers, but otherwise should satisfy the event description.
MagLev (2/20/2013) - Dr. Carlos Carrillo Lopez, Supervisor
Q. I have a question concerning the Maglev event for the science Olympiad competition going on this weekend. The rules for the event state that the vehicles must not have any other energy sources other than nine volts of battery power, however my vehicle is powered with a helicopter and we use a remote to start the helicopter. Is the signal from the remote considered another energy source? All the batteries (combined) are seven volts, so the maximum voltage is not exceeding the rules. Please e-mail me back as soon as possible, thank you for your time.
A. You are correct, the vehicle must not have any other energy source. In this case your remote is not actually providing energy to the motor, but to a switch. Since the switch is part of the
vehicle, this will count as another energy source for your vehicle. Furthermore, keep in mind that construction rules also state that no integrated circuits or brushless motors are not allowed. So even if you consider the remote as par of the vehicle using batteries rated at 9V or less, you will have the problem of the integrated circuits in the remote and the switch.
Also competition rules state that vehicles that do not meet the construction specs must not be allowed to run until brought into spec.
National Science Olympiad
Clarification Rules
Anatomy and Physiology (10/28/12) Add: 4. SCORING: Points are awarded for correct answers. Selected questions/free-response quality will break ties.
Elastic Launched Glider (11/12/12) 4.f. should read "A self-check inspection station may be made available to competitors for checking their glider and launch handle dimensions configuration for safety prior to being checked by the officials."
Food Science (11/16/12) Standard Curve Graph: Delete iv. Virgin Olive Oil, v. Great Egg Spectations, vii. Carnation Evaporated Sweetened Milk, and ix. Brer Rabbit Light Molasses from the list of liquids and Change x. to read “Meadow Gold or Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk”.
Robot Arm (11/12/12) 7.a. says “…scoreable items (pencils, nails, pipes, batteries)…”, batteries should have been changed to ping pong balls.
Science Olympiad Policy for Significant Figures (12/5/12)
Events requiring Eye Protection #5 (High Impact Protection - ANSI Z87+) - Goggles with lenses identified as Z87+ regardless of markings on other parts of the goggles and Spectacles identified as Z87+ with side shields regardless of markings on other parts of the spectacles will be acceptable for events requiring High Impact Protection #5.(4/8/10)
Olympiad Students! Nominate your coach for the
Coach of the Year Award!
This award is presented each year to one Middle School and one High School Science Olympiad Coach. It serves to recognize those individuals who have made a positive contribution to Science Olympiad, their students, their school, and their community. Deadline for nomination forms is February 17, 2012.
Click for a nomination form. PDF Format MSWord Format