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Submit A Question And Rule Clarifications
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
- Dynamic Planet - Div B
- Meteorology - Div B
- Remote Sensing - Div B
- Rocks and Minerals - Div B
  - 10/13/2026
    
    When there is a slash in the 2027 Rocks and Minerals List, should each of the rocks/minerals be treated as separate rocks/minerals, should they be treated as one, or is it a combination based on how similar the two minerals are? (For example, Goet...
    
    When there is a slash between the names of a mineral/rock in the 2027 Rocks and Minerals List, the names are completely interchangeable and acceptable for identification purposes. However, content questions may test knowledge relevant to either one, as applicable to each pair. For example, in the case of Celestite/Celestine, both names are interchangeable and therefore no differentiation can be made. In contrast, orthoclase/microcline are different minerals and can therefore be treated as such (outside of identification).
- Solar System - Div B
Inquiry & Nature of Science
- Codebusters - Div B
- Experimental Design - Div B
- Ping Pong Parachute - Div B
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b d / Line: 6)
    
    10/13/2026
    
    Can I cover my pressure vessel in tape and gluing stuff onto it? for example, my fins would be glued to tape that is covering the actual pressure vessel- like cling wrap to a bowl's opening: when you put something on top of the wrap, it doesn't co...
    
    No, this is not allowed for safety reasons. The pressure vessel may still be compromised by the chemicals in the glue even with the barrier.
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
    
    10/01/2026
    
    Is a rogallo wing (hang glider) a parachute and therefore allowed to be used in this event?
    
    No, a Rogallo wing is a flexible airfoil, not a parachute and is not allowed in this event.
  - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: g / Line: 1)
    
    09/30/2026
    
    This specifies that the penalty for hitting an obstacle only applies to the ascending portion of the launch. If the parachute gets stuck after the ascending portion, does that count as the payload having landed? (i.e. the timer is stopped, but the...
    
    On the descending portion of the flight, timing will stop when the parachute payload system's (2.b.) decent stops (ie: lands on the floor, gets stuck on a basketball hoop, lands on a bleacher, etc)
- Write It Do It - Div B
Life, Personal & Social Science
- Anatomy and Physiology - Div B
- Disease Detectives - Div B
- Botany - Div B
  - (Section: 3 / Line: 2)
    
    10/06/2026
    
    Rather than embryophytes vs cryptogams should we be comparing phanerogams vs cryptogams?
    
    For this season, compare the larger Embryophytes group of plants to the Cryptogams instead of the smaller group of phanerogams (ie: within the Embryophytes compare and contrast cryptogams with seed bearing plants).
- Heredity - Div B
- Water Quality - Div B
Physical Science & Chemistry
- Chemistry
  - Crime Busters - Div B
  - Food Science - Div B
- Physics
  - Hovercraft - Div B
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
      
      10/01/2026
      
      Can a PCB, Breadboard, or solderable perfboard be used to make electrical connections so long as they do not include/contain any integrated circuits?
      
      A bare PCB, breadboard, or solderable perfboard without additional components acts as a wire or connector, which is allowed in rule 3.b. These are allowed as long as the entire circuit is visible for inspection.
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: d / Line: 2)
      
      10/06/2026
      
      Rule 2d says "Teams should not bring their own masses ..." Is this only referring to the ES-provided nickel masses or is it forbidding teams from bringing any sort of other masses that they might use for balance and/or speed control of their hover...
      
      Yes, that refers only to the ES-provided nickel masses which are scorable. Teams may bring their own weights for balance and speed control.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 2)
      
      10/13/2026
      
      What types of relays are allowed? The rules just say "relays" are allowed but there are many types.
      
      Relays used in this event must be discrete and electro-mechanical. This means that they must not contain integrated circuits, and they must not be solid-state relays.
  - Circuit Lab - Div B
  - Thermodynamics - Div B
    - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: g / Line: 1)
      
      10/01/2026
      
      Are students allowed to swish the water around in the cup (without touching) it prior to the temperature measurement?
      
      No, the water must not be swirled before taking the temperature.
    - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: g / Line: 2)
      
      10/06/2026
      
      When a team is removing the cup of water, can the team swirl or shake the cup to help equalize water temperatures throughout the cup?
      
      No, the water must not be swirled, shaken or stirred before taking the temperature.
    - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: g / Line: 4)
      
      10/06/2026
      
      When using a non-mercury or electronic probe thermometer, should you dip the probe into the top, middle, or bottom of the water?
      
      This will be up to the local Event Supervisor to determine the temperature measuring protocol that will be used for all teams. It is recommended that the ES should measure the temperature of the top layer of water near the center of the cup. If the thermometer has a probe, the ES should insert it far enough into the water to take an accurate measurement, but no farther.
    - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: g / Line: 4)
      
      09/30/2026
      
      Will the water be stirred before taking the temperature?
      
      No, the water will not be stirred or swirled before taking the temperature.
Technology
- Technology & Engineering Design
  - Roller Coaster - Div B
    - (Section: 6 / Line: 2)
      
      10/13/2026
      
      Are funnels and holes allowed? The ball doesn’t travel on a hole it falls through so doesn’t technically fit the definition of a track. Funnels were initially prohibited but on official rules it was removed from the prohibited items so seeking...
      
      Yes, funnels and holes are allowed but per rule 3.c. the ball/sphere must remain visible at all times.
    - (Section: 3 / Line: 2)
      
      10/13/2026
      
      Can springs be used to power the lifting mechanism of the elevator as long as the energy from the spring is not directly transferred to the marble?
      
      No, springs may not be utilized anywhere within the roller coaster device. Per rule 3.e. line 2, only simple machines may be used for the elevators.
    - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: g / Line: 1)
      
      10/13/2026
      
      In 3.j.iii it states that parts of the track may be reused... In 5.g it states that the Loop Score = 3 points for each whole cm of the Loop... If the elevators lift the sphere to perform the loop multiple times, will points be awarded for each loo...
      
      No. Points will only be awarded for the first attempt of the loop.
  - Boomilever - Div B
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
      
      10/01/2026
      
      Will wood parts that are laser cut be allowed?
      
      Yes. Laser cut wood parts are acceptable
  - Elastic Launched Glider - Div B
  - Scrambler - Div B
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: c / Sub-Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
      
      10/06/2026
      
      Are we allowed to impound multiple weights if the total amount of the weights does not exceed 2 kg?Are we allowed to impound multiple weights with 2 kg
      
      No, only a single falling mass can be impounded. The falling mass may be multiple objects or parts that are combined/assembled into a single falling mass prior to impound.

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