General Mission Possible

[Flavorflav]

So a year or two ago the coach running towers at regional reported that another coach, who had been assigned to assist him, was taking pictures of every tower, presumably for use with his team next year. As a proctor he had access that spectators did not, so I think it was inappropriate, but I am interested to hear what you all think.

[fleet130]

Using access as an agent of Science Olympiad (In this case the coach/volunteer) to gain advantage for a team would be a violation of ethics. On the other hand, as an event supervisor, Science Olympiad ask me to photograph each device presented for competition. I have had event volunteers who were team coaches take the photos for me. At the time they may haveappeared to be taking advantage, but had no access to the photos after the event was over.

[Balsa Man]

I think the crux is "unfair advantage."
In all the building events, the structures/devices are there to be seen; what's visible is visible. What can be seen becomes/is part of the "body of knowledge."
For a coach, or competitor to observe, understand, make notes is .....part of doing a good job.
As in the discussion of photos of Mission-P boxes, a photo is not going to capture/reveal any "secrets"- with a tower, it is sure not going to give you the info needed to duplicate a design (and the execution of that design); its really just a form of taking notes.
Even if we were talking about focusing in on one or two of the "hot'/"top' ones, I'd have to say its just focused observation. In that anyone can observe, I can't see any "unfair advantage" in doing so
We see every year on this board, numerous "I'm new to this event and I have no idea how to start...." posts. As coaches, each year we have new kids coming on that have not seen/participated in events. To be able to provide some insights on "here's what it looked like last year, or 4 years ago when X event was last run" - here's what some winners look like, and here's what non-winners looked like is important, and helpfull, and a good place to start the process for a new year. Pictures are a fine way to do that, is just part of good coaching.

[Orchdork]

State is on saturday... does anyone have any helpful tips on how to make the final task lift a heavier weight?

[Science-dad]

I haven't seen this asked yet and was wondering if you thought our all girls team would be allowed to bring a 1 step foot stool so they can see the top of the mission device as it sits on the table? They would impound it with the device.

[Orchdork]

I haven't seen this asked yet and was wondering if you thought our all girls team would be allowed to bring a 1 step foot stool so they can see the top of the mission device as it sits on the table? They would impound it with the device.

I think that will be fine. Ask then if they say no just don't take the stool. But I think they will met likely say yes.

[Kid Cobain]

I haven't seen this asked yet and was wondering if you thought our all girls team would be allowed to bring a 1 step foot stool so they can see the top of the mission device as it sits on the table? They would impound it with the device.

I think that will be fine. Ask then if they say no just don't take the stool. But I think they will met likely say yes.

Just make sure that they only use it for seeing over the mission, because my team has a tool box and any thing we use from it must be kept in the box like a container for sand.

[Orchdork]

are we allowed paint our devices?

[knittingfrenzy18]

I think so. What makes you think not?

[Orchdork]

i don't know i was just asking