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Remote Sensing 2008
Remote Sensing - Mars
Guidelines
The event will conform to the official "2008 Science Olympiad - Remote Sensing" event with one exception: the event will NOT be a timed station format. Instead each team will work from a handout that includes images, questions and answer sheets.

Participants will need protractors, metric rulers, and simple calculators. Laptop computers are NOT allowed because some participants may not have these devices.

Scope of The Event
Over the years Mars has been imaged by many remote sensing systems that have resulted in a huge volume of data. This event will only deal with images recorded by the Viking Orbiter missions, which acquired the most complete, consistent, and diverse coverage of the planet. We will not deal with Lander or Surveyor missions.

Mars Coordinate Systems
Latitude - On Mars the equator is zero ( 0° ) latitude. Northern latitudes are designated positive ( 35° ); southern latitudes are negative ( -65° ). This system is also standard for Earth.
Longitude - There is no single "official" system for designating Mars longitudes, because different investigators have employed different systems over the years. All systems do designate the prime meridian ( 0° ) at the center of the 0.5 km wide crater "Airy - 0" within the large crater Airy in the Sinus Meridian. Airy - 0 is the Martian equivalent of the Greenwich Observatory which is 0° for Earth.
        An earlier system designated Mars longitudes westward from the prime meridian completely around Mars and ending with 360° at the prime meridian. A later system designated longitudes eastward from the prime meridian and ending with 360° at the prime meridian. Another widely used system employs the same longitude conventions as on earth. East longitudes extend eastward from the prime meridian for 180° and are designated by positive numbers (115° ). West longitudes extend westward for 180° and are designated by negative ( -165° ) numbers.

Resources
Websites
www.mapaplanet.org/explorer   provides access to the following Mars Viking images: Color, Color-MDIM merge, MDIM (versions 1 & 2), MOLA Topography.

http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/SolarSystem/Mars provides links to many resources

Publications
Croswell, K., 2003, Magnificent Mars: Simon & Schuster, NY.
Excellent reference. However, it exceeds the Science Olympiad size limits and cannot be used during the event. Copies (8 1/2 by 11 inches are OK)

Sabins, F. F., 1997, Remote Sensing - Principles and Interpretation: Third Edition, Waveland Press, Chicago (www.waveland.com).
The following sections are applicable to Viking images of Mars:
        Ch.1. "Introduction to Concepts and Systems".
Note the definition: "Remote sensing is the science of acquiring, processing, and interpreting images, and related data, that record the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation".
The Viking Orbiter Visual Imaging Subsystem (VIS) is a vidicon (TV) framing system (Sabins, 1996, Figure 1-11). At an altitude of 1500 km each image covers approximately 40 by 46 km. The angular resolving power was 25 microradians (not milliradians). For each frame, filters provided six multispectral bands that are listed in Map-a-Planet.
        Ch.2. "Photographs From Aircraft and Satellites"
p. 49-51 - Viking images were illuminated with relatively low sun angles. The resulting highlights and shadows are comparable to those in this example.
Ch.6. "Radar Images"
p.190 - This Venus example was acquired by low angle radar. The resulting highlights and shadows and topographic inversion are comparable to those on low sun angle Viking images.
Ch.8. "Digital Image Processing"
p. 255-259 - The Viking images were digitized into a format similar to that of Landsat images.
p.263-269 - The "Advanced Options" of Mapaplanet offers these optional contrast enhancement methods under the heading "Stretches". The names correlate as follows:
Mapaplanet                            Remote Sensing Book
                Linear/Auto stretch                     Linear stretch
                Gaussian stretch                        Gaussian stretch
                Histogram equalization stretch Uniform distribution stretch
                Histogram matching stretch              Not shown
        Appendix . "Basic Geology for Remote Sensing"

Photographing or Videotaping Other Teams
Taking photographs of other teams and their devices is not allowed. School representatives, including parents, may videotape and take photos of their own students as they compete and posing for photos after a competition is allowed.
In some cases, a school may allow another team to take photos of the equipment/devices they have constructed, but this must always be done with the permission of the team being photographed. Taking photos or video without permission is bad etiquette and is not at the Science Olympiad. Teams that violate this common sense courtesy may be sanctioned.

We are mindful that a school may want to photograph or videotape their own students and therefore have not banned cameras in the open events. This decision reflects long-standing trust and appreciation for the courtesy of participating teams. Please discuss this with your team members, parents, and volunteers. Make sure that this policy is clearly understood.
Official photographers and/or videographers may be on site to document the Science Olympiad for various of media purposes. These individuals are permitted to take photos and video in general and will obtain permission before recording devices from design events.

FOOD SERVICES UPDATE
The food court on campus will be open from 9:00 - 4:00 during the Science Olympiad on Saturday. Teams are also welcome to bring sack lunches and snacks for team members. There is a vareity of vending machines on campus as well.

Stoves of any kind are prohibited. Please do not plan to cook food on campus for your team members.

Teams are welcome to bring ice chests, etc. and set-up a "home base" for their students. There is little shade in the plaza above the parking lot where most teams will set up their spot, so shade covers may be advised if you have access to one.

PARKING FOR CARS AND BUSES
Parents may park in Parking Structure B (#12 on the campus map) directly below Greenlee Plaza; parking for cars is free.

Buses may drop off students near the Administration Building on Paseo Rancho Casillia (if you are looking at the map on our website, it is near the words "Information Kiosk"). This location is north of the Welcome Center that sits in the middle of the street. There is a crosswalk in this location.

Buses can then drive north to Parking Lot 5. This is a large, uncovered lot (not a parking structure). Parking for buses is also free.

BE ON TIME TO EVENTS (Posted March 4, 2008; 6:20 PM)
It is very important that your students be on time to the events in which they are scheduled to participate.

For example, if there is a rotation between tasks or stations and the rotation has started by the time your students arrive, they may not be able to complete all tasks or stations. There may be important instructions or safety instructions that are given at the opening of the event–if your students miss those instructions, the event supervisor cannot be satisfied that the event will be safe.

If your students arrive late, and the event has not started, they should not complain if they are barred from the event - it may look like it has not started, but important orientation may have already taken place. Long experience shows that the event captains want every student to be successful and have the chance to participate. The decision of the event captain with respect to late arriving students is final.

CONSIDER THE WALK TIME BETWEEN EVENTS IN YOUR PLANNING (Posted March 4, 2008; 6:20 PM)
The Forensics and Science Crime Busters events are located in the Criminology Building on campus. This is Building 43 on the Campus Map below. You will notice that it is some distance from the other science buildings. You can also expect that some events will be held in the Fine Arts Building (#11) and Engineering Building (#9). This will increase the walk time between events.

It may be prudent for students participating in the Forensics and Science Crime Busters events not to plan another event immediately before or after the event!

Remember that skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, etc. are not allowed on campus.

NO APPEALS BASED ON LATE ARRIVAL (Posted March 4, 2008; 6:20 PM)
Appeals based on the fact that your students arrived late for an event cannot be considered. As discussed above, some events may include flexibility for late arrival and some may not. Some events may allow for late arrival but a full score may not be possible for late arrivals.

Clarification on the Use of Alternates in Divisions B and C
Olympiad rules allow 15 team members. Up to two alternates to be registered, and included on the team roster, but those students designated as alternates only participate in an event when, due to illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstance, the original team member cannot participate. Alternates are not to provide flexibility in covering an event that might present a conflict at the same time for one of the 15 team members. If that were to happen, there would be, in effect 16 or 17 team members, not 15.

In short, alternates are like the understudy in a play. They only play the role when the original cast member is unable.

Your final roster of students must indicate who the 15 Science Olympiad participants are. You will be issued 15, non-transferrable wrist bands. If a student becomes ill, or some circumstance requires that an alternate compete, you must contact a designated representative of the Science Olympiad organizing committee.

If you can't reach a Science Olympiad official and the event is about to start, you may send the alternate to compete in the event. However, you must alert the Event Supervisor that an alternate is competeting AND you must obtain permission for the alternate to compete after the fact. If the permission is not granted, then the scores will be vacated for your team in that event.

Campus Map
Ships at sea and airplanes are advised not to navigate using this map. Autos, buses, and autobuses can use the map to find out where to go on Saturday, March 15, 2008.

Registration Guidelines
Because space is limited, team registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-registered basis. Each school may send only one team of fifteen students. See the Registration Guidelines for other information. Return the Registration Form and applicable fees as soon as possible. Your Coaches Manual will be sent after your registration form is received.

Parental Release Form (PDF; 76 KB)
A Parental Release Form is required for all students attending and/or in the Science Olympiad. This form requires a parent signature and emergency contact information. Please duplicate this form and have them completed as soon as possible. Once they are completed, please make a copy for yourself and forward a copy to Science Olympiad, P.O. Box 9249, Whittier, CA 90608, or bring them the day of the Science Olympiad. This requirement is extremely important. Students can not participate in the Science Olympiad without this form on file.

Guarantee of Insurance (PDF; 46 KB)
The Guarantee of Insurance is required for each participating school. If a Guarantee of Insurance is not on file the day of the competition the team may not compete--no exceptions.

Volunteers Form (PDF; 76 KB)
Volunteers are critical to the success of the Science Olympiad. Without volunteers to assist with events the Olymiad simply could not be held. Each team must provide six volunteers on the day of the event. Download the form and send it to L.A. County Science Olympiad, 9300 Imperial Highway, Clark Building, Room 238, Downey, CA 90242-2890.

Photograph/Video Release Form for Minors (PDF; 58 KB)
The Science Olympiad needs permission to use photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, digital pictures, of students participating in the Olympiad competition. Student photos could be used in publicity materials, event descriptions, or posting on the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad web site. Download the Photo Release Form for minors here.

Photograph/Video Release Form for Adults (PDF; 58 KB)
The Science Olympiad needs permission to use photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, digital pictures, of adults participating in the Olympiad. Photos could be used in publicity, event descriptions, or posting on the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad web site. Download the Photo Release Form for adults here.

Appeal Form (PDF; 188 KB)
Only Team Coaches may file an appeal for violations of event rules as published in the Coaches Manual. Any appeal must be filed within one hour of the end of the event. Download a copy of the official Appeal Form here:

Register When You Arrive
When you arrive on the day of the Olympiad, send an adult from your team to pick up your registration packet. It will have the Final Schedule of Events, last minute updates, Appeal Forms, room changes, and other important information.

Plan to arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. to register your team. The registration tables will be open at 7:30 a.m. Division B and C events begin at 8:30 a.m.; Division A events begin at 9:00.

Coaches are required to turn in a list of team members (names with grade level) at the time of registration if it has not been submitted electronically prior to the date of the Science Olympiad. If there are changes to the team roster, please make them when you register--this is your last chance to make changes.

E-mail address
The most efficient way to contact Team Coaches is via e-mail. Please send an e-mail so we can get your e-mail address. It will help if you indicate your division and team number in the message. Send email to: info@lacountyscienceolympiad.org

Code of Ethics
Student participants are expected to compete in tournament events with honest effort to follow the rules and the spirit of the competition. Team members are expected to be the builders of all the devices used in the events. The goal of competition is to give one's best effort while displaying honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. Students, coaches, parents, and guests are expected to display courtesy and respect toward Olympiad officials, other teams, and guests of the Olympiad. Failure to show honesty and/or courtesy by a participant, coach, or guest of the team may result in the disqualification of the team from that event, the entire tournament or future tournaments.

Science Olympiad Pledges

Student:
I pledge to put forth my best effort in the Science Olympiad tournament and to uphold the principles of honest competition. In my events, I will compete with integrity, respect, and sportsmanship towards my fellow competitors. I will display courtesy towards Event Supervisors and Tournament Personnel. My actions will exemplify the proud spirit of my school, team, and state.

Coach:
On behalf of the coaches and assistants at this tournament, I pledge to encourage honesty and respect for tournament personnel, our fellow coaches, and other team members. We want our efforts to bring honor to our community and school.

Parent:
On behalf of the parents and spectators I pledge to be an example for our children by:

• respecting the rules of Science Olympiad,
• encouraging excellence in preparation and investigation,
• supporting independence in design and production of all competition devices,
• and respecting the decisions of event supervisors and judges.

My examples will promote the spirit of cooperation within and among all our participating teams.