NCSO Debrief – November 2023

Division A

With the new schedule, there are only 3 time slots for Regionals. Will students be able to do two building events in the same time slot? For example, Towers and Air Trajectory. 

No.  One event per period.  

Rules were updated 11/9/23 – the official name list was numbered and a copy will be provided for students to use at competition.  They will write the number instead of the scientist name.

Clue In To Science

Can students take notes on the clues? No, there’s not really time for that.

Can clues be visible and kept up for students to see? Thinking of visual vs. auditory learners? This is definitely an event for auditory learners.  Clues will be given verbally.

Is it okay for students to write a number with their pen, then cross over it with sharpie and write a guess on the next clue? Once you write a number, you commit

Can they reuse numbers farther down the scoresheet?  Yes

Just Plane Awesome

Can I replace damaged parts of the AMA Alpha airplane?

Yes, BUT only like kind replacement with parts from another AMA Alpha kit. A damaged wing of one kit may be replaced with good wing from another kit. Parts and material from a second kit may not be used to add additional structure or modify the first kit.

Division B/C

Where can we get mirrors for optics event?

They will be available on December 6th. There will be 5 optics mirrors and 2 optic boxes for sale through our online store. The mirrors are available for shipping but optic boxes will be pick-up only. Please check the website, the morning of Dec. 6th, to grab one!

I see that Quantum Detanglers will be a trial event for 2024. Will there be any more trial events?

Yes!  We plan to have 3 trial events at the State Tournament – we just posted Sunny Day Flooding as a trial event for 2024.  One more will be coming. 

On cheat sheets, can students handwrite in the margins of their paper? Annotations were explained in the past that no sticky notes or other paper attached to the single paper could be added, but writing formulas or highlighting over the printed sheet were allowed.  Can you clarify this?

No annotations are allowed. Everything must be typed out with no handwriting in the margins.