Balloon Task

[Primate]

Legs shouldn't be a problem; but protruding switches extends your dimensions. For decades the box was imaginary. Many complaints here over the years, " Judge measured the outside of the box."

Oh don't worry, the device is well within all size limitations. The feet are probably about two inches--this is what it looks like:

[DeltaHat]

[Deleted. Misread rules]

[questionguy]

Rule 2.b is very clear. All parts of the device must fit ....

There is no mention of an imaginary box this year. Either everything fits, or it does not.

That is not true, the rules sheet that I have states "All parts of the device must fit within an imaginary box (50 cm X 50 cm X 80 cm)". As long as it fits in that imaginary box, you won't get penalized.

[Flavorflav]

Primate, I wouldn't have a problem because the rule says "the lowest point in the device" (emphasis added), not of the imaginary box. If your sign starts on the floor, it is at the lowest point in the device. Now, if you have anything other than wiring under the floor that would be a different matter.

[sciencegirl23]

That is not true, the rules sheet that I have states "All parts of the device must fit within an imaginary box (50 cm X 50 cm X 80 cm)". As long as it fits in that imaginary box, you won't get penalized.

Does the balloon have to fit inside this box? At my regionals, there were teams who had the balloon started above the height of the box..and they weren't penalized.

[Flavorflav]

Yes, the balloon has to fit in the box. Where was this?

[sciencegirl23]

MIdhudson.. The judges honestly didn't know what they were doing. A team was starting motors and using electricity after their sand timer started; (which im pretty sure is against the rules?) and they got 1st or 2nd.

[fleet130]

The judges honestly didn't know what they were doing. A team was starting motors and using electricity after their sand timer started;

So what should be done in such situations? By doing nothing, you perpetuate the problem.

Often, the first impulse is to file a protest against the team whose device was judged improperly. This is often taken to be an accusation of cheating and some tournaments automatically dismiss such appeals.

A better (less used) action might be to appeal that the judges failed to judge the devices properly. Results from these appeals are more likely to address the real problem and provide a wider reaching remedy.

Situations like the one mentioned can be difficult to appeal. The judge was (presumably) in a much better position than you to see how the device operated and made a decision. Once a decision is made by the judges, it is correct by definition (That's their job). The onus is on you to present valid evidence to the contrary.

Some tournaments accept appeals only about a team's own device, not about other devices. A possible way around this is to appeal that your device was not judged with the same standards as others.

Before filing an appeal, make sure you have good solid evidence to support your claim. Something you saw from across the gym or overheard from people talking in the hallway won't carry much weight.

Appeals are always a difficult situation. Everybody thinks they're right and the implication is that someone was "cheating". Judges decisions may sometimes be colored by preconceived opinions or associations, but cases of intentionally biased decisions (in my opinion) are extremely rare.

[bwy]

So... for the task that requires us to inflate a balloon, I'm having trouble coming up with something the balloon could trigger. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[jsorrell414]

So... for the task that requires us to inflate a balloon, I'm having trouble coming up with something the balloon could trigger. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Push a switch? The balloon inflating has quite a lot of force, assuming using the baking soda and vinegar to inflate it. There are many things it can do.