2011-2012 Rules

[questionguy]

Instead of getting rid of Mission Possible where the tasks change every year, couldn't Mousetrap Vehicle be replaced? I think this would be its second year as an event.

[blazer]

Instead of getting rid of Mission Possible where the tasks change every year, couldn't Mousetrap Vehicle be replaced? I think this would be its second year as an event.

Tentatively, mousetrap, which has run for two years in c division, is moving to b division and being replaced by wheeled vehicle.

[chalker7]

Blazer is correct with the vehicle rotation.
And I don't want to be difficult, but this thread has kind of gotten away from the original purpose, which is a place for recommendations and ideas for the Mission Possible rules.
Are there any tasks that you thought were particularly problematic this year? Are there any tasks that you'd be excited to see come in next year?

[chalker]

For years I have heard how hard it is for many teams to compete in Mission Possible, Junkyard Challenge, Robot Ramble and Sumo Bot due to the complicated and expensive nature of these events. Now I am reading that the committee wants to bring in an even more complicated and more expensive event than any two combined???

While it's not in my committee, I disagree that Robot Arm is more complicated or expensive. To the contrary, I think it could be done rather cheaply and simply. There are toy robot arms available online for under $40 that can handle all the tasks in the event. The rules as currently written also allow for a WIDE variety of designs and control mechanisms, which should mean that the majority of students could construct something 'from parts laying around the house'.

How can the committee even consider removing these events until mastery is achieved. The top teams will always be in the running for the top scores no matter what event is out there. The teams trying to compete no sooner get a hold on the event and it is gone. Rather than unilaterally deciding to scrap great events to the arbitrary two year cycle, poll the regional and state supervisors and see where they think an event is in its maturity.

There are a lot of factors that weigh into this beyond just 'mastery' of the events. Please keep in mind there are something like 200,000 students involved each year in over 300 different tournaments, so there is a wide variety of skill levels and interest pulling in different directions. Needless to say, the committees take a LOT into consideration with all these decisions and your perspective is appreciated and valued. And please note my post above about the history of Mission Possible an future plans - the event isn't being 'scrapped'. As currently planned it will be back.

Let ALL of the teams in science olympiad have a shot rather than just the elite few that happen to have the funds or a specialists know-how in how to approach an event.... I hope you realize what it does to teams when they are out competed by funding and complications.

On a personal note, I have the same desire to allow all teams have a shot. However I guess we disagree on the method. My feeling is that by rotating events regularly it levels the playing field somewhat by making everyone have a 'fresh start'. I'm also acutely aware of needing to strike a balance between 'funding / complications' and 'interesting events that appeal to a wide variety of students'.

[chalker]

Chalker/Chalker7:
This is probably the wrong thread and thinking a bit farther ahead, but do you think it's possible to have Oceanography rotate in 2013 (after 2 years of Dynamic Planet Freshwater) rather than Dynamic Planet Glaciers? Glaciers just don't seem to be that interesting and vast a topic in comparison to the oceans.

It's not in my committee, but tentatively Oceanography is coming back in 2015.

[chalker]

And I don't want to be difficult, but this thread has kind of gotten away from the original purpose, which is a place for recommendations and ideas for the Mission Possible rules.
Are there any tasks that you thought were particularly problematic this year? Are there any tasks that you'd be excited to see come in next year?

Why are you always so difficult? I blame you for getting us off track;)

But he's right, if you want to talk about non-Mission events, why not hop over to the other thread: http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2712

[twototwenty]

But why would we replace mission when it is clear that no-one actually wants it to go? Im not sure if this has been asked yet, but would it be possible to alter mission's two-year cycle? I agree, it is a true building event, and, as the rules change very significantly every year, there is no real reason to replace it, as it has not gotten old at all, unlike other events.

[twototwenty]

Sorry to double post, but (this is to the chalkers, mainly) could we opn a new topic and get a bunch of actual competitors to "sign" on it saying that they want to keep mission, thus creating a petition of sorts; would that be enough to change the cycle?

[chalker7]

But why would we replace mission when it is clear that no-one actually wants it to go? Im not sure if this has been asked yet, but would it be possible to alter mission's two-year cycle? I agree, it is a true building event, and, as the rules change very significantly every year, there is no real reason to replace it, as it has not gotten old at all, unlike other events.

You are looking at a biased sample. No students on this thread, who are obviously interested in Mission Possible as an event, want it to go. However, coaches of teams with little to no experience (new teams often have no idea where to start with Mission), coaches lacking any funding, regional directors who cannot find event supervisors, state directors who cannot find the space to store 40-50 devices during impound and teams who perceive a bias due to "the rich schools" winning this event (in addition to the regional/state directors who hear those complaints and relay them up the chain) all would prefer a different and simpler event. All those groups combine to include a significant portion of the people involved with Science Olympiad, but do not participate in forums like this.

[illusionist]

I think I've said this in the Mission Possible rules thread, but Mission Possible really doesn't require any funding at all. Absolutely every single part of our device was torn out of some old toy, found around the house, or borrowed from parents of the students. We didn't pay for anything except glue and screws.

Also, I would like to thank chalker and chalker7 for letting us have this voice in the decisions. Taking our opinions on the rules, and events lets us have more input, leading to a greater interest in doing well in these events. Once again, I think these "Rules" threads are a great idea.