Crime Busters B

[jgrischow1]

Uh, no? Truthfully though, I’m not sure. I’d just bring a magnifying lens just in case though.

You will be provided a microscope, the only possible advantage in bringing one is not having to share if they don't have one per station. Even then, there are rarely issues with not having access to the microscope.

Off the soinc.org website https://www.soinc.org/sites/default/fil ... 121718.pdf
So yes, a hand held lens is permissible, but a hand help microscope? Why do you think you need it?

My kids say they saw another team with one and got jealous I guess. I would have never thought they were allowed.

[dholdgreve]

Does chromatography solution affect a test differently than water would? I usually use water but states had a separate glass of "chromatography solution" to use. Does anyone know how to make such a solution?

To the best of my knowledge, there is no specific chromatography solution. It is either polar (water), or non-polar (alcohol, mineral spirits, turpentine, MEK, etc.) Real simple stuff... Water is used on polar soluble inks, Non-polar solvents are used on non-polar inks.

[dholdgreve]

Is a handheld microscope allowed as a "hand lens"?

Having run this event for several years, I have never been "tested" on this one, but I think I would differentiate between a hand lens and a microscope. A hand lens is a single lens of varying strength... from 5x to 30x or more. A microscope is multiple lenses stack on top each other. Since the rules say "hand lens," not "hand lenses" I would not allow a microscope to be used, whether is was hand held or not, but you should probably check with the E/C running your competition as this is not the place for official clarifications.

[jgrischow1]

Is a handheld microscope allowed as a "hand lens"?

Having run this event for several years, I have never been "tested" on this one, but I think I would differentiate between a hand lens and a microscope. A hand lens is a single lens of varying strength... from 5x to 30x or more. A microscope is multiple lenses stack on top each other. Since the rules say "hand lens," not "hand lenses" I would not allow a microscope to be used, whether is was hand held or not, but you should probably check with the E/C running your competition as this is not the place for official clarifications.

thx

[K2005]

Can you write the essay in a list format such as:

Jack (Guilty)
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Motive

Ethan (Innocent)
- Evidence that connects him
- Why it is not true

Etc.

Please help

[Crimesolver]

Can you write the essay in a list format such as:

Jack (Guilty)
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Motive

Ethan (Innocent)
- Evidence that connects him
- Why it is not true

Etc.

Please help

You can. Make sure to be really thorough with the evidence.

[Tailsfan101]

Can you write the essay in a list format such as:

Jack (Guilty)
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Motive

Ethan (Innocent)
- Evidence that connects him
- Why it is not true

Etc.

Please help

Most certainly. This format is the format I usually use to write the analysis, and I find it to be efficient and clean. This is not to say it works for everyone, but it works for me.

[CPScienceDude]

Can you write the essay in a list format such as:

Jack (Guilty)
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Motive

Ethan (Innocent)
- Evidence that connects him
- Why it is not true

Etc.

Please help

I never have. I've always done paragraphs.

[Rivkaaa]

Can you write the essay in a list format such as:

Jack (Guilty)
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Motive

Ethan (Innocent)
- Evidence that connects him
- Why it is not true

Etc.

Please help

I never have. I've always done paragraphs.

Paragraphs are harder to analyze if you're grading (as there is a limited amount of time to grade), so bullet points are easier to read off and grade. Plus, it's a lot more organized, so I would personally recommend doing bullet points.

[wec01]

Can you write the essay in a list format such as:

Jack (Guilty)
- Evidence
- Evidence
- Motive

Ethan (Innocent)
- Evidence that connects him
- Why it is not true

Etc.

Please help

I never have. I've always done paragraphs.

Paragraphs are harder to analyze if you're grading (as there is a limited amount of time to grade), so bullet points are easier to read off and grade. Plus, it's a lot more organized, so I would personally recommend doing bullet points.

Of course it's also a lot faster to write and will save you time. As for grading, the grader is usually just looking for specific pieces of evidence anyways so writing it in paragraphs won't really help you in any way as long as you are conveying the same information in your bullets.