Scioly.org

Skink wrote:Potions and Poisons is expected to move in next season. I'm all in favor because, while I love food (yeah, okay) and food chemistry, the last two years have been something...it's time for something a little more straightforward, which P&P is!

Skink wrote:This isn't a discussion I was going to start, but I'm definitely participating now that it's a thing!

SPP SciO wrote:It's interesting - Crime Busters is the most similar event (bring a kit with you to perform lab tests at competition). However, the rules of Crime Busters clearly state: "Students may bring only specified items...supervisors will check the kits, confiscate non-allowed items, and have the right to penalize... up to 10%"

No such language appears in Food Science. I wonder if this is an oversight, a space saving issue for the rule book, or just different writing styles produced by two different event authors? It seems as though including a clause like that in the Food Science rules would save a lot of trouble.

The closest events are Powders and P&P, the ones in its rotation. Powders did have that provision as I recall, and there were thought-provoking discussions on this site concerning that a couple years ago. Amidst that, I made a very interesting comment that I have to append to my last post. Apparently, the graduated cylinder problem isn't new to me because I submitted a FAQ for it that got an official response. From my e-mail:

Thank you for your question. A response to your question has been posted on
the website http://www.soinc.org
The original question is included for your records; there is no need to
respond unless you feel there is an error.
============================================================================
Question:
Are graduated cylinders "similar small containers for mixing", or are
they a piece of equipment that event supervisors are supposed to bring (per
section 2.b.vi.) that could incur the penalty noted in section 2 line 3?

============================================================================
Answer:
Small graduated cylinders are permissible in the students kits. Event
supervisors should not confiscate them.

Now, old FAQ responses aren't tournament-enforceable, but they do shed light on how others feel about the issue. Formally, in that year, I was wrong. Obviously not convinced, though...as for the penalty allowance, have older versions of this event, specifically, ever have it? I don't recall if and can't figure out why Powders and CB have it and this doesn't, but it's interesting to think about.