Scioly.org

waffletree wrote:

builderguy135 wrote:

sciolyperson1 wrote:FJDKSLjkljfkldsjlefd mystery at UCC.

Materials given were just lots of tape, and useless stuff like a dvd, 3(?) or 4 index cards, a spoon and a fork, and two cups, one small one large.
The prompt was to build the tallest arch that could support a tennis ball.

At Rustin, the prompt was similar, except we didn't have to hold anything, and an arch was defined as a structure with no straight edges (they used a 5cm block to measure). Their definition was pretty clear and concise, albeit rather tedious.

However, at UCC, their definition of an arch varied a lot. They said that "the curve" had to support the load (tennis ball), yet while we implemented curves into our design, apparently it didn't count. They also wanted our structure to be perfectly symmetrical (....which it was...). If you think about it though, how the heck do you implement a single spoon or a single fork into the structure, while keeping it symmetrical?
In our block (of 7 teams), not a SINGLE team was placed into tier 1.

Agreed. At Rustin, although their materials were on the simple side, they gave a very straightforward definition of an arch (no straight segments >5cm) and they were extremely consistent about measurements. Although the materials were more complicated at regionals, all of their specifications were subject to opinion (Ex. Is the structure perfectly symmetrical? How would you define a curve?). At one point, two of the supervisors were even disagreeing to each other on whether or not our build would constitute an arch.

lmao a dvd...and 2 different sized cups XD
hehe i like to hear that our coaches (rustin proctors) did decent. they are the official state mystery arch supervisors

sciolyperson1 wrote: If you think about it though, how the heck do you implement a single spoon or a single fork into the structure, while keeping it symmetrical?

waffletree wrote:

builderguy135 wrote:

sciolyperson1 wrote:FJDKSLjkljfkldsjlefd mystery at UCC.

Materials given were just lots of tape, and useless stuff like a dvd, 3(?) or 4 index cards, a spoon and a fork, and two cups, one small one large.
The prompt was to build the tallest arch that could support a tennis ball.

At Rustin, the prompt was similar, except we didn't have to hold anything, and an arch was defined as a structure with no straight edges (they used a 5cm block to measure). Their definition was pretty clear and concise, albeit rather tedious.

However, at UCC, their definition of an arch varied a lot. They said that "the curve" had to support the load (tennis ball), yet while we implemented curves into our design, apparently it didn't count. They also wanted our structure to be perfectly symmetrical (....which it was...). If you think about it though, how the heck do you implement a single spoon or a single fork into the structure, while keeping it symmetrical?
In our block (of 7 teams), not a SINGLE team was placed into tier 1.

Agreed. At Rustin, although their materials were on the simple side, they gave a very straightforward definition of an arch (no straight segments >5cm) and they were extremely consistent about measurements. Although the materials were more complicated at regionals, all of their specifications were subject to opinion (Ex. Is the structure perfectly symmetrical? How would you define a curve?). At one point, two of the supervisors were even disagreeing to each other on whether or not our build would constitute an arch.

lmao a dvd...and 2 different sized cups XD
hehe i like to hear that our coaches (rustin proctors) did decent. they are the official state mystery arch supervisors

builderguy135 wrote:

waffletree wrote:

builderguy135 wrote:
Agreed. At Rustin, although their materials were on the simple side, they gave a very straightforward definition of an arch (no straight segments >5cm) and they were extremely consistent about measurements. Although the materials were more complicated at regionals, all of their specifications were subject to opinion (Ex. Is the structure perfectly symmetrical? How would you define a curve?). At one point, two of the supervisors were even disagreeing to each other on whether or not our build would constitute an arch.

lmao a dvd...and 2 different sized cups XD
hehe i like to hear that our coaches (rustin proctors) did decent. they are the official state mystery arch supervisors

They did an excellent job of being consistent and fair to every team. I really appreciated how they quantitatively defined what an "arch" is, rather than just saying "It has to curve". My only suggestion is that they should use a more diverse selection of materials, rather than just paper (Rustin). A larger selection of materials would force the competitor to be more creative with what they're building.

JoeyC wrote:

sciolyperson1 wrote: If you think about it though, how the heck do you implement a single spoon or a single fork into the structure, while keeping it symmetrical?

Saw the spoon in half.