Re: Re: 2008 SO Rules- opaque

From: Jim Fackert <jfackert_at_cac.net>
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:23:02 -0400

yeah, the trouble is that these little "gotchas" serve no useful
purpose, and seem to be thrown in just to test to be sure the kids read
and follow the rules. Some folks worry more about that than about
whether they gained any practical knowledge.

The sad bit is that some team is going to make a great plane, fly really
well, and get DQd because an event supervisor will tell them that the
tissue or painted or metalized mylar they used for the "opaque" surface
is not "really" opaque. (or worse yet, he will be forced to by a
protesting competitor.)

I think the rules writers' logic in putting this little trick in is
pretty opaque though.

But enough of my crabbing. We just make sure through a rules
clarification that certain materials are indeed judged by the higher
powers to be truly opaque, and let the world know that it has been
judged so.

Bill Gowen wrote:
>
>
> Isn't it comforting to know that the rules makers for science
> competitions are so aware of scientific principles?
Received on Sat Sep 22 2007 - 09:24:01 CEST