Robot Ramble (Posted February 27, 2008; 7:41 PM)
As written in the rules, the only portion of the carpet that the students will not be allowed to step or stand on is "the marked off playing field." Students may step on any portion of the approximately 4 feet by 8 feet carpet that is otherwise not part of the 1 meter by 2 meter, marked off playing field.
In addition, to be consistent with National tournament practice, the approximately 1/2 inch wide lines that mark the perimeter of the 1 meter by 2 meter playing field will count as part of the playing field.
For more information email: info@lacountyscienceolympiad.org
Using Notes, Calculators or Other Resources in Events (Division A, B, C)
It is generally understood that, if notes, resources, calculators, actions etc., are not excluded, they are permitted unless they violate the spirit of the problem. No direct or electronic communication is permitted with external resources (including people, places, etc.) during the competition. (National Science Olympiad)
Limit on Team Members from Other Schools (Division B, C)
Science Olympiad written policies (pages 11-12 in the coaches manual) states that "the students must be from the membership school (recruiting from neighboring schools is not permitted)" and that the principal must sign the final team registration form stating "that all of the above students are active members of our school". The only written exception is that "if you have a middle school grades 6 to 8, you can bring back five of last years 8th graders to be part of the team". And, an unwritten exception which has generally been understood that, if you have a small one room school house or a K through 8 or Gr. 3-7 school, you are welcome to use students from lower levels because the principal can certify that they are members of that school. Note that in all cases it says school not school district. (National Science Olympiad)
Role of Alternate Team Members (Division A, B, C)
Alternate team members participate in events ONLY if an offical team member (one of 15) gets sick the day of the competition or for some other personal/home/family reason and cannot attend the day of the Science Olympiad.
Alternates DO NOT fill in if another team member has a conflict in the schedule--even if the schedule is changed the morning of the Science Olympiad. In those cases, coaches have to make the decision: which is the best team that could be fielded and sent to the event using the 2nd or 3rd best student of the 15-member team in that event(s).
A team with breadth of expertise--multiple students capable of participating in any given event--will have an advantage.
When you register your team the morning of the Science Olympiad, you will receive a total of fifteen (15) wristbands. These are used to identify students who have a photo release, but the wristbands also identify your official 15 team members. (Los Angeles County Regional Science Olympiad; 02/16/06)
The Role of Volunteers (Division A, B, C)
Question: How old must the volunteers be?
Answer: Volunteers should be adults.
Question: Some of my volunteers don't want to do it any more - can I make changes?
Answer: You can subsitute volunteers right up until the last minute
Question: How do you know if my volunteers complete their assignments?
Answer: The event captain will sign off that they have completed the assignment and they must return the signed slip to the registration area.
Question: What if my volunteers do not show up?.
Answer: We will audit these slips and points will be deducted if a team has not met its volunteer assignment.
Question: What will the volunteers be asked to do?
Answer: They may be asked to do almost anything to help an event run successfully. This may be as simple as standing outside a door to make sure no one interrupts the event in progress. Or it might be that they are needed to watch for safety issues or wander around the room to proctor the event. They may be asked to help with set-up and clean-up. Or they may be asked to run an errand or go and pick up the box lunch for the event captain. Some events really need a lot of help and some don't need as much assistance. Some event captains are not sure yet what help they may need.
Question: Can my volunteers choose the time and place they are assigned to help?
Answer: No. The assignments are made randomly, based on need and timing. Please ask your volunteers to be flexible.
Question: Will Division B and C volunteers be assigned to their own division?
Answer: No. Division B teams will provide volunteers for Division C events, and vica versa. Some Division C teams may be asked to provide volunteers for Division A. This is because of the unequal number of teams in each division.
Question: May Division A parents volunteer in Division A events?
Answer: Yes. Generally, assignments are made so that parents volunteer in events in another division where the school they represent is NOT competiting. Since there are not an equal number of teams in each division, this is not always feasible. Division A volunteers may be assigned to Division A events. However, they may NOT volunteer in an event that their own child is participating in. If an assignment is made that includes this conflict, the parent should explain this to the leader giving out the volunteer assignments and request a different assignment.
Question: If my parents are busy volunteering, how will they watch their child compete?
Answer: There is always a concern about parents wanting to see their child compete and it is a bigger problem that the parents were busy volunteering. For the most part, parents CANNOT watch their child compete. Most of the events are "closed" and are conducted as formal tests. There isn't much to watch and, for test security reasons, no one is allowed in to watch.
Parents are invited to come and chaperone, and assist with the events of the day. There is almost no opportnity for parents to watch their child compete. This is hard for some parents, but hopefully they will be willing to let the kids go out and compete and then get a report from them when they are done.
Some events, like Bottle Rocket, Chopper Challenge, Egg Drop, Sounds of Music, Mission Possible, Wheeled Vehicles, Bridge Building do allow the public to watch the event. Parents can watch those events but cannot volunteer if their school is participating in one of those open events. Please discuss this with your attending parents so they will understand in advance. Help them know that their child may only be participating in one or two events, and usually they will not be able to watch them compete.
Question: What events are open to public viewing during competition?
Answer: Most self-schedule events are open to public viewing - as long as the crowd does not become a problem to the successful running of the event. If the event captain deems that a venue is over-croweded, then the event captain has the right to close the event and ask observers to leave the room or back away from the outdoor venue.
For more information email: info@lacountyscienceolympiad.org
