Ongoing Contest(Scores)

[havenguy]

Thanks! What team are you on anyway? Just curious...

Strath Haven We saw you guys at Rustin, and Comet, and we'll see you again at States

Oh yeah, I just remembered I forgot to post my Regionals scores.

We didn't bring our very best Boomilever, since there were a couple of teams taking pictures (is that allowed? Not that ours was that good, but it still seems a bit unfair).

Mass of boom: 11.2
Mass held: 10.7 kg
Efficiency: around 955
Placement: 2nd

[isaysroar]

Well if it wasn't allowed I'd probably be arrested by the Science Olympiad police. Took pictures for Bottle Rockets, Boomilever, and Helicopters for 3 years.

[ckssv07]

It depends on the state, i believe taking pictures is legal in PA but i know n some state like Ohio it's not allowed.

[Luo]

According to the Science Olympiad Media Policy from soinc, taking pictures or video of other teams' devices for a competitive advantage is prohibited (see Unacceptable Scenario #4 on the second page). In light of this nationwide policy, I believe that any teams attempting to take pictures or video of other teams' devices without permission should be told to stop immediately or risk disqualification.

[isaysroar]

Now that, that's covered anyone ranked in PA????

[jander14indoor]

As usual, not an official source, opinion, etc. Though it was a discussion between a State Director and NSO.

Comment on photos, careful with your interpretation of that letter from NSO. The issue came up recently here in Michigan and it was NOT deemed to cover student devices. More focused on material like test questions, or things like what note will be tested on day of for Sounds of Music.

Here's the response I got from Jennifer Kopach at NSO when we discussed it:
"I think the way this reads is: devices in the public areas of competition
are fair game to be photographed (just like Paul said). I know teams feel
like their designs could be copied, but we don't have secret rooms and
shields to protect devices! Children can opt out of being photographed, but
as of now, we do not offer the same protection to the devices/contraptions.
Consider it flattery, even if unwelcome."

Michigan policy is NO protection for student devices from photography in the public events (like boomilever, robot, gliders, etc). Note, we don't say you can't cover up your devices outside the event, or that students can walk into your team room and uncover something and photo it, but you can't do it while competing. Oh, and anyone taking photos will have to do so from at least some distance as no interference with students competing will be tolerated. Picking up another teams device without explicit permission by students or coaches is right out for any reason, though event officials may need to touch devices, but not for the purpose of aiding a photograph.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[twototwenty]

This may be of interest to people here. At the bottom are the details of the winning boomilevers for the NY C-Division State competition.

[iwonder]

I just keep my boom in a box when I'm not competing. I had one person come over and take pictures of it and I came over said hi and all, it all ended well... So I'd just recommend not leaving devices in the open, but be friendly, there's no need for CIA type secrecy in SO

[hogger]

I think it has been said many times before, the overall general design or the structure of it is not a huge deal. It is the building skill and detailed knowledge of your structure are the keys. After testing a few times, you know where the weak points are and what size, weight and extra bracing/glue has to be done to get the most out of the structure. In some cases and unless they have a terrible design to begin with, you want them to copy your design and start over from their previous design and loose all that knowledge they have been accumulating of their previous design.

[iwonder]

With that said, there are some other things that you can do to lighten booms that are blatantly obvious from a visual standpoint that aren't generally thought of ;)