Problem Clarifications for
Experiencing Technical Difficulties
Problem No. 2
Division I, II, III & IV
Clarifications as of May-08, 2015

World Finals Only
May-08-2015  
 1.  Teams should report to the Check-In Area 20 minutes before their scheduled competition time.

May-08-2015  
 2.  All forms should be completed prior to reporting to Check-In. Additional forms are available for teams at the Check-In Area if needed.

May-08-2015  
 3.  Teams may visit the competition site between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM but may not practice on the site.

May-08-2015  
 4.  The suitcases will not be opened or unpacked until time begins.

May-08-2015  
 5.  All parts of the team's solution must fit through a standard doorway.

May-08-2015  
 6.  Coaches may report back to the site for the team's raw score 30 minutes after competition.

May-08-2015  
 7. 
    Competition flooring:
  •     (a) Div I – industrial pile carpet
  •     (b) Div II – vinyl flooring
  •     (c) Div III & IV – vinyl flooring

May-08-2015  
 8.  Dumpster diving is not allowed.

General Clarifications
Sep-23-2014  
 1.  B12a - The suitcases: If the membership sign is used for anything other than team identification and Style Category F2 it must be in one or both suitcases when time begins. If the sign is not in one or both of the suitcases when time begins it will not be eligible for anything other than team identification and score for Style Category F2. If it assists in solving a task(s) and was not in one or both suitcases that task will be considered as a failed attempt. If a costume assists in completing a task that will be considered a failed attempt.

Sep-30-2014  
 2.  B7a - Power used by the devices to complete the tasks: Once a device is activated to attempt a task, all power to complete the task must come from the device's rubber band(s). This precludes the use of electricity, chemical reactions, magnetism, thermal and radiant energy, etc.

Oct-03-2014  
 3.  D4 and D 7 - Devices and Risk-Taking of the Design of the Devices: Although the devices must be powered by rubber bands they may be triggered any way the team wishes within the general rules. Every aspect of the way the devices function, including the way they are activated, will count toward score for D4 and D7.

Nov-13-2014  
 4.  B7c - The rubber bands used in the devices:

- Figure A illustrates the maximum dimensions of the rubber bands that may be used to power the team's devices.

- Figure B demonstrates one method judges may use to measure the rubber bands. The rubber bands will be pressed flat before being measured. The 3" rubber band pictured in Figure B is only an example. Teams may use commercially produced rubber bands that are sold while being up to 6" in length.
Nov-21-2014  
 5.  B7c - Size of the rubber bands: The maximum size of the rubber bands used in the devices that attempt the tasks is 6 inches (15.24 cm). However, after being stretched, rubber bands may come to rest beyond their commercially labeled length, which will decrease their thickness. Teams will not be penalized for using rubber bands that are slightly out of shape. If possible, please bring a package with the information regarding the rubber bands to the competition with at least one unused rubber band.

Jan-23-2015  
 6.  Spontaneous Competition - We have added a new procedure in SOME types of verbal problems. In these problems, team members will be given paper and pencils and are allowed to brainstorm during think time. They are allowed to write down the responses that they will use during response time. They may write as many as they wish and are not limited to those responses when it is their time to respond. During response time they will be able to refer to their own lists, so that they may choose the responses they think are the MOST creative or give a new response. Each team member will also have a set of cards with two values on them (for example one card may say 2/4; another 3/6).... When they give a response they will decide if their response is creative and will hold up a card. The judges will then score that response using the lower number if they think the response is common, and the higher number if they think it is a creative response. A card may only be used once. As a result, teams can impact their score by predicting the creativity of their responses. The more creative responses should have higher numbers and questionable responses should have lower numbers.

Jan-25-2015  
 7.  General Clarification 2: This clarification allows the use of gravity as an aid to the rubber band power to complete the tasks. Gravity will naturally affect many solutions to some degree and since it is not practical to place a quantitative value on the acceptable level of that aid, gravity is allowed to assist the rubber band power in completing the tasks. Gravity alone is not acceptable, it may only be an aid to rubber bands.

B7a - Rubber band power: Rubber bands must provide all of the power used by the devices to complete the tasks. It is not acceptable to have the rubber band power operate another device (that is not rubber band powered) or provide a trigger for another energy source that then completes the designated task. For example, if a rubber band propels an object that triggers a switch to a motor that operates to complete the task the task is not considered completed. ***However, if the task is to turn on the motor, not what the motor will then do, it is okay. The only score impacted will be D3 if the task is incorrectly defined. All other scoring will be as usual.
Mar-09-2015  
 8.  B6 - The Team-Created Devices: A rubber band-stringed instrument used to complete the required task ‘play music’ will not be legal unless the rubber band ‘strings’ are operated by a rubber band powered device or the rubber band "strings" release stored energy in a manner that does more than act as a string of any other material. Any solutions presented in competition where this solution was allowed will not receive a penalty for prior competitions but will not be allowed for score at future competitions.