2023 Missouri State Science Olympiad Rules Clarifications

STATE CLARIFICATION: USE OF LEAD IN BUILD EVENTS

Safety has always been of the utmost importance in Science Olympiad. Coaches should always ensure that team members are well versed on the proper handling of chemicals and all potentially hazardous materials. Many materials can be hazardous when mishandled yet with proper care and handling these same materials can be considered relatively safe for use. While we recognize that lead can be potentially hazardous, we also recognize that when safe handling is followed, ma of these concerns can be mitigated. We encourage coaches to discuss the safe handling of all compounds in the laboratory setting. With this said, the use of lead in building events, especially in regards to making weights will not be prohibited.

STATE TOURNAMENT CLARIFICATION: COVID RULE MODIFICATION SUSPENDED

2022-2023 SEASON- Each participant in an event will no longer be allowed to bring in their own notes to competitions in order to assist with social distancing. The use of supplimental resources in events will follow the national event rules.

STATE CLARIFICATION: SEPARATE SCHOOLS

When determining the eligibility of a ninth grader to compete on a B division team the national rules regarding eligibility will be followed. Schools that are grades X-8 may only invite a ninth grader to participate on their team if that ninth grader was enrolled in the grade X-8 school in the eighth grade. In determining if a school is a separate school, a school is considered a separate school if it has its own administrator.

NATIONAL RULE CLARIFICATION: TEAM COMPOSITION AND SENIORS

If senior chooses to graduate at the semester they will not lose their eligibility to compete on their school's Science Olympiad team for the remainder of the season. If a senior does choose to graduate at semester and continue to participate on their school's Science Olympiad team they will still count toward the seven senior limit.

DETECTOR BUILDING: STATE CLARIFICATION

Construction Parameters, Rule 3.b. Distinguishing between strain gauges and load cells

Several online retailers use the terms "strain gauge "and "load cells" interchangeably and this has caused some confusion among coaches and event directors.

For all Missouri tournaments, a load cell is defined as a pre-assembled device that contains a strain gauge, force sensitive resistor (FSR) or other such component and the associated printed circuit board. A student constructed device containing similar components that are assembled on a student wired breadboard is not a commercially produced load cell and is permitted.

Purchasing a "strain gauge" that says "load cell" on the package would only violate rule 3.b if the wires coming off the strain gauge were pre-attached to a circuit board or other electrical component. A strain gauge, FSR, or other such device is one component of a fully functioning load cell. Many Individual components of a load cell are allowed under the rules, but these components must be assembled and programmed by the student.

It is important to remember that will any build event, the team members must be prepared to answer questions regarding the design, construction, programming, and operation of their device.