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Frequently Asked Questions
Division B Events

Division B Events

Reveal Questions

Questions must be directed toward the rules. We cannot pre-judge your device by answering questions on whether it complies.

Earth & Space Science
Inquiry & Nature of Science
- Experimental Design - Div B
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: a / Line: 1)
    
    10/10/2019
    
    In the checklist section H, do the raw and condensed data tables need to be distinct, with the "raw table" containing measurements and the "condensed table" containing derived values?
    
    Yes, the raw and condensed data tables are two separate tables.
- Game On
- Ping-Pong Parachute
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: B / Line: 1)
    
    10/10/2019
    
    Is glue allowed on the actual parachute itself? In other words, as long as the only thing directly holding the parachute to the ping pong ball is tape, is it legal?
    
    Yes, glue is allowed on the parachute. It is not allowed on the pressurized bottle.
  - (Section: 2 / Line: 1)
    
    10/09/2019
    
    What's the maximum psi?
    
    Due to the variation in the sites where the ping pong parachutes will be held, there can not be one max psi that is published. Teams will be placed in Tier 3 per rule 5.g. if any part of their rocket or parachute hits the ceiling or any part connected to the ceiling.
- Write It Do It - Div B
Life, Personal & Social Science
- Disease Detectives - Div B
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: 1 / Line: 3)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Could you please clarify the meaning of, "from any source without any annotations or labels affixed". Can they have diagrams that are pre-labeled?
    
    Students may make a word document in which they put in notes, diagrams etc. which can be pre-labeled and print it onto a page double sided or they may hand-write the notes, diagrams etc., but they may not add anything additional to the sheet of paper such as labels, adhesive flags, sticky notes, or anything extra to the surface of your reference sheet.
- Anatomy and Physiology - Div B
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: 1 / Line: 3)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Could you please clarify the meaning of, "from any source without any annotations or labels affixed". Can they have diagrams that are pre-labeled?
    
    Students may make a word document in which they put in notes, diagrams etc. which can be pre-labeled and print it onto a page double sided or they may hand-write the notes, diagrams etc., but they may not add anything additional to the sheet of paper such as labels, adhesive flags, sticky notes, or anything extra to the surface of your reference sheet.
- Heredity
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: 1 / Line: 3)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Could you please clarify the meaning of, "from any source without any annotations or labels affixed". Can they have diagrams that are pre-labeled?
    
    Students may make a word document in which they put in notes, diagrams etc. which can be pre-labeled and print it onto a page double sided or they may hand-write the notes, diagrams etc., but they may not add anything additional to the sheet of paper such as labels, adhesive flags, sticky notes, or anything extra to the surface of your reference sheet.
- Ornithology
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: 1 / Line: 2)
    
    10/10/2019
    
    Are bird eggs eligible content?
    
    Yes
  - (Section: 2 / Line: 2)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Under Order Strigiformes, the screech owl is listed, but I believe that is a genus that doesn't pertain to a singular species. Should this be specified to a certain species (Eastern screech owl), or should this remain as a genus?
    
    Remain as a genus and be familiar with species within the Genus.
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: c / Line: 2)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Will a separate National Ornithology list that is annotated be allowed to be taken out of the binder?
    
    No, an annotated Bird List must remain in the binder if the event is run as a series of stations per rules 2.b. and 2.c.
- Water Quality - Div B
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: 1 / Line: 3)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Could you please clarify the meaning of, "from any source without any annotations or labels affixed". Can they have diagrams that are pre-labeled?
    
    Students may make a word document in which they put in notes, diagrams etc. which can be pre-labeled and print it onto a page double sided or they may hand-write the notes, diagrams etc., but they may not add anything additional to the sheet of paper such as labels, adhesive flags, sticky notes, or anything extra to the surface of your reference sheet.
Physical Science & Chemistry
- Chemistry
  - Crime Busters
    - 10/03/2019
      
      Can skinny jeans be a universal exception to the "loose-fitting" pants rule for chemistry events?
      
      From the rules: Pants should be loose fitting; if the host has more specific guidelines they will notify teams in advance of the tournament. In chemistry events, any tight-fitting pants do not provide the loose-fitting safety margin necessary should a hazardous chemical be spilled on the clothing to prevent the skin from sustaining a chemical burn.
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: B / Line: 1)
      
      10/08/2019
      
      For both the Chemistry events, the rules say “each participant may bring one 8.5” by 11” sheet of paper.” Does this mean each team is allowed two pieces of paper, or does “participant” mean team?
      
      If a team has two participants in these events it is allowed two reference sheets; one for each participant. If for some reason the team only has a single participant in the event then that team is allowed a single reference sheet for that participant. If two sheets are used the content does not have to be exactly the same on both sheets.
  - Food Science
    - 10/03/2019
      
      Can skinny jeans be a universal exception to the "loose-fitting" pants rule for chemistry events?
      
      From the rules: Pants should be loose fitting; if the host has more specific guidelines they will notify teams in advance of the tournament. In chemistry events, any tight-fitting pants do not provide the loose-fitting safety margin necessary should a hazardous chemical be spilled on the clothing to prevent the skin from sustaining a chemical burn.
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: B / Line: 1)
      
      10/08/2019
      
      For both the Chemistry events, the rules say “each participant may bring one 8.5” by 11” sheet of paper.” Does this mean each team is allowed two pieces of paper, or does “participant” mean team?
      
      If a team has two participants in these events it is allowed two reference sheets; one for each participant. If for some reason the team only has a single participant in the event then that team is allowed a single reference sheet for that participant. If two sheets are used the content does not have to be exactly the same on both sheets.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Sub-Paragraph: ii / Line: 1)
      
      10/09/2019
      
      I do not know how to find the % moisture in a pickle without using dehydration & volume (before and after) or through commercial equipment. How are students supposed to be able to do this?
      
      There are multiple methods that will allow the approximate percent moisture of a pickle to be determine. Complete dehydration is one. An approximation of the percent moisture can be determined by massing the pickle in a container then doing something to the pickle (i.e., crushing it) to release the moisture. The moisture released can then be removed and the pickle remnants and container can be remassed.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Sub-Paragraph: xi / Line: 1)
      
      10/09/2019
      
      There are quite a few yeast and bacteria out there. Can we get a list of which ones the students will need to know?
      
      These are common examples but event supervisors may use bacteria or yeasts that are regionally appropriate. Yeast-fungus-the most common type used in fermenting is Saccharomyces cerevisiae - Can grow aerobically or anaerobically on sugars - Most commonly used for production of ethanol in fermentation Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus, Homolactic-used for making Yogurt, souring vegetables, making sausage Leuconostoc, Heterolactic-used to sour vegetables Streptococcus, thermophiles, Homolactic-used for making Yogurt Acetobactor, Acetic Acid Bacteria -used in the production of chocolate & wine. Bacilus, spp., spore producing bacteria – used in the production of chocolate.
- Physics
  - Circuit Lab - Div B
  - Density Lab
  - Machines
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: e / Line: 3)
      
      10/10/2019
      
      Must all masses simultaneously fit inside a 15x15x20cm box or must each mass separately be able to fit inside the box?
      
      Each mass must fit within the 15 x 15 x 20cm box individually.
Technology & Engineering Design
- Mission Possible
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: c / Sub-Paragraph: iv / Line: 1)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    Can we use salt water for Mission Possible?
    
    No, the water that is added to the container may not be salt water.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: d / Sub-Paragraph: ii / Line: 1)
    
    10/08/2019
    
    If the Tee Holder is mounted onto the wall or base of the Device, does the wall and base count as part of the device and subject to the 10cm clearance requirement of the rule?
    
    The wall or base may be considered as part of the "tee holder" and would not be subject to the 10cm clearance requirement. However, the top of the tee must still be at least 2.5 cm above any part of the "tee holder".
- Boomilever - Div B
- Elastic Launched Gliders
- Mousetrap Vehicle
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 2)
    
    10/10/2019
    
    can the drive string be pre-wrapped around the drive axle?
    
    Yes, as long as all of the energy that propels the vehicle comes from the single mousetrap.

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