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Division C Events
Inquiry & Nature Of Science

Inquiry & Nature of Science

Reveal Questions

Codebusters
- (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e / Sub-Paragraph: vi / Line: 2)
  
  03/03/2023
  
  How are cryptarithms scored?
  
  The decoded values answer would be graded using the number of errors when comparing against the expected answer. As per 4.c.i, two or fewer errors would result in full credit.
- (Section: 4. / Paragraph: i. / Line: 1)
  
  02/28/2023
  
  If the answer given by a competitor to a Baconian cipher is T H I/J N K, would that be counted as correct or as 1 error since the competitor did not choose between I and J?
  
  Yes. It would count as an single error because they did not properly decode the original cipher text.
- (Section: 3 / Line: 1)
  
  01/25/2023
  
  In the rules for Codebusters, it is unclear whether we will be using International or American Morse Code. Since there are differences, I need to know which version we will be using, in order to study the correct alphabet. Thanks!
  
  The morse code based ciphers will use International Morse Code. The mapping of the letters using this alphabet will be included in the resource page.
- (Section: 2 / Line: 2)
  
  01/30/2023
  
  On the exam, will the provided Baconian mapping have I, J, U, and V as their own codes, or will I,J and U,V share codes?
  
  For Baconian ciphers, the I and J will share codes as will U and V. The Baconian mapping will also be included in the resource sheet.
- (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e / Sub-Paragraph: v / Line: 1)
  
  12/05/2022
  
  Relating to the Fractionated Morse Cipher, will it always end with the last letter or will there be an xx at the end to mark the end of the word?
  
  No. For a Fractionated Morse Cipher, the cipher can end with 0, 1 or 2 X at the end depending on how many are needed to pad to a group of 3 symbols.
- (Section: 3 / Paragraph: g / Sub-Paragraph: iii / Line: 1)
  
  12/27/2022
  
  Science Olympiad rules do not define Rail Fence. ACA rules allow encryption to be either writing into the railfence pattern on the zigzag and reading off on rows, or writing into the pattern on rows and reading off on the zigzag. Are both encrypti...
  
  No. Only the pattern where the cipher text is written in rows and the plaintext is read through the zigzag is allowed. For example with the cipher text RFEALECIN would be written into three rows of 'R F E' ' A L E C ' and ' I N ' and would be read out via zigzag as RAILFENCE.
- (Section: 3 / Paragraph: g / Sub-Paragraph: ii / Line: 1)
  
  12/27/2022
  
  The keyword or key phrase used to construct the alphabet may be ambiguous. For example, it is impossible to distinguish FILLER from FILER. Does the student need to correctly guess the keyword or key phrase, or is any keyword or keyphrase that woul...
  
  Yes. The question will indicate the exact number of letters to identify the keyword or key phrase. In the example FILLER and FILER the former would have 6 boxed to fill in while the second would only have 5.
Experimental Design - Div C
Fermi Questions
Forestry
- (Section: 3 / Paragraph: h / Line: 35)
  
  10/27/2022
  
  Does this mean that we are not allowed to use this book, National Audubon Society Trees of North America, 2021 edition during the competition?
  
  Just the opposite, this rule was included to classify it as a field guide which is permitted in rule 2.b.The original question is included for your records; there is no need to respond unless you feel there is an error.
- (Section: 2 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
  
  12/02/2022
  
  May students add adhesive labels onto pages in the field guide in order to add annotations?
  
  Yes; please review Section 2.b. in the published Forestry Rules where this topic is addressed.
- (Section: 1 / Line: 1)
  
  12/13/2022
  
  Regarding the National Tree List- Page 2, Column 2, Line 36- Caprifoliaceae- American Elder/Elderberry-Should the Family Name be Adoxaceae instead of Caprifoliaceae? It appears that the Caprifoliaceae/Honeysuckle genera was changed to Adoxaceae/...
  
  The published Tree List will be what is used to evaluate answers at all tournaments as was established by the Rules.
- (Section: 2 / Paragraph: c / Sub-Paragraph: i / Line: 2)
  
  03/03/2023
  
  Rule 2.c. states that one copy of National or State Tree List may be brougt to event in addition to binder and field guide. Does the copy of the list have to be exactly as it was published or can it be edited, highlighted, page numbers, annotated?...
  
  General rule #1 applies to the National tree and other published lists. Since they are not excluded, annotations, highlights, added text, etc would be allowed. However, the list would not be allowed to be extended beyond the published length ie. National tree list is 1 page front and back and the copy brought to the competition would not be allowed if it was edited to make it longer than that.
Write It Do It - Div C

‹ In the event guide, it states in 2.c. “In addition to a binder and field guide,” but no where in the event parameters does it state which type of field guide is allowed or if one is actually allowed. So, is a field guide (Audubon, Simon and Schusters, etc) allowed?
Codebusters ›

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