Division B/C Clarifications
Only VASO clarifications are valid in VASO tournaments.
These clarifications are for the 2022-23 season. They will be reset at the start of the 2023-24 season.
Astronomy
Division
C
Oct 19, 2022
Rule 3.c. corrections:
3.c.xiv. 47 Tucanae X9
Delete 3.c.xv.
Renumber 3.c.xvi. to 3.c.xv.
Botany
Division
BC
Mar 1, 2023
Rule 2.b. - Participants do not need a lab coat or goggles.
Botany
Division
BC
Feb 15, 2023
Botany is a trial event - while individual medals are awarded, it does not count towards the team score. Either alternates or members of the competition team may compete in the event, however each school may only send one pair to compete.
Bridge
Division
BC
Oct 19, 2022
Rule 6. Test Apparatus: A list of possible questions, tasks, stations and/or examples that will help to demonstrate how the event may be run.
Bridge
Division
BC
Oct 5, 2022
Rule 4.f. - Logs will not necessarily be returned to teams. Teams should keep their original log and submit a copy to the Event Supervisor.
Codebusters
Division
BC
Dec 30, 2022
The Rail Fence Cipher - Science Olympiad rules do not define Rail Fence. ACA rules allow encryption to be either writing into the rainfence pattern on the zigzag and reading off on rows, or writing into the pattern on rows and reading off on the zigzag. Are both encryptions allowed?
Only the pattern where the cipher text is written in rows and the plaintext is read through the zigzag is allowed. For example with the cipher text "RFEALECIN" would be written into three rows of "R F E" "ALEC" and "IN" and would be read out via zigzag as "RAILFENCE".
Codebusters
Division
BC
Dec 30, 2022
Rule 3.e.v. - Relating to the Fractionated Morse Cipher, will it always end with the last letter or will there be an XX at the end to mark the end of the word?
No. For a Fractionated Morse Cipher, the cipher can end with 0,1, or 2 X at the end depending on how many are needed to pad to a group of 3 symbols.
Detector Building
Division
C
Jan 13, 2023
Rule 3.b. - …All supporting circuits must be assembled on either a solderless or solderable breadboard. The following are construction violations: preassembled devices, load cells, preassembled load cells where the strain gauges are already wired together or attached to a flexible material, parts taken from such a preassembled load cell, printed circuit boards…
Detector Building
Division
C
Dec 20, 2022
National FAQ dated 12/2/22 regarding a team’s request to mill their own circuit board - While Nationals is allowing a team to mill its own circuit board, VASO will not allow it.
Detector Building
Division
C
Oct 19, 2022
Formatting error corrections:
Rule 5.Part II.a.ix(4) should become Rule 5.Part II.b.
Rule 5.Part II.a.ix(5) should become Rule 5.Part II.c.
These rules apply to all tournament levels.
Detector Building
Division
C
Oct 8, 2022
VASO considers writing code to be an integral part of building a device, so the Constructed Devices Policy applies to the code as well as the physical device. To ensure this policy is being followed, teams will be required to transfer a copy of their source code file (after they have modified it during the setup period) onto a USB flash drive provided by the Event Supervisor. The team is responsible for ensuring they will have a way to connect the provided USB flash drive to their laptop or calculator.
Detector Building
Division
C
Oct 5, 2022
Rule 4.e. - Logs will not necessarily be returned to teams. Teams should keep their original log and submit a copy to the Event Supervisor.
Environmental Chemistry
Division
C
Mar 6, 2023
Environmental Chemistry Equipment - Teams should not bring electrolysis equipment or glassware larger than 100-mL capacity. It is recommended that teams do bring enough disposable pipettes (droppers) and beakers to create and analyze up to 6 solutions during the session block. The glassware holding the solutions must have a wide opening (>1.25 inches) to allow for measurements. Teams should also bring spot plates, gloves, and the allowed writing utensils, ruler, binder, and non-programmable, non-graphing calculators.
Experimental Design
Division
BC
Feb 16, 2023
Experimental Design will be run at the 2023 State Tournament. This is a substitution for the Experiment & Data Analysis event that VASO ran at Written Test Day; VASO will NOT be running both events at States.
Flight
Division
BC
Mar 4, 2023
Rule 4.e. - Logs will not necessarily be returned to teams. Teams should keep their original log and submit a copy to the Event Supervisor.
Flight
Division
BC
Mar 2, 2023
The Constructed Devices Policy of VASO states the judging conditions under which teams are allowed to use kits to build the devices for VASO tournaments. Because Rule 3a specifically allows for kits to be used in the construction of the aircraft, Event Supervisors will not apply the "Use of Kits" portion of the policy to craft built from kits. In other words, Event Supervisors will not require that the devices built from complete kits to be substantially and materially customized. However, teams should carefully evaluate any kit for compliance with the current year rules - even kits that claim that they are Science Olympiad approved.
Flight
Division
BC
Mar 2, 2023
Rule 5.e.iv. - When launching their device, participants must stand or sit directly on the floor.
Flight
Division
BC
Mar 2, 2023
Rule 5.a. - At the State tournament, the two divisions of Flight will share a large gym with a number of other building events. Thus the event will probably have roughly one third of the gym. The entire gym is 31.5m long x 35.3m wide x 8.0m high (to the bottom of the girders).
Forestry
Division
BC
Oct 27, 2022
2023 National Tree List (Pg 2, Column 1, Line 4) - Moris Morus rubra (Red Mulberry)
It's About Time
Division
C
Oct 11, 2022
Rule 3.e. - Can different parts of the "one" mechanism trigger the signal (i.e. 3 sections of a mechanism trigger the same signal)?
Every signal happens because something (a mechanism) directly causes it to happen. For example, the bell sounding is a signal, but the sound is caused by a hammer striking the bell. The flag being raised is the signal, but it is caused by a string pulling it up the pole. The hammer and the string are the mechanism. The mechanism must be the same in all instances, so, in order to allow for the next signal, the mechanism will need to reset itself for the next signal (i.e. the hammer must retract back or the string must go slack to let the flag back down). However, multiple different components or parts in the device can initiate the action of the mechanism that causes the signal (i.e. different cogs initiating the hammer action or different elements pulling the flag’s string).
Rocks and Minerals
Division
BC
Oct 19, 2022
Minerals List (Column 2) - "Willemite*" and "Zircon*" should not be indented underneath "Tourmaline Group" since they are not members of the Tourmaline Group.
Roller Coaster
Division
B
Nov 4, 2022
Rule 3 (Construction Parameters) - The entire track must not be fully enclosed and the ball should be easily removable for the entire roller coaster, not just the loop in 3.k.ii. For the ball to be considered “easily removable”, the device/track must not have to be manipulated by the Event Supervisor to get the ball out.
Roller Coaster
Division
B
Oct 8, 2022
Add a rule 4.b.iv. - If a kit was used to build the team’s device, the Design Log must also include an explanation of at least one substantial modification made to the kit as required by the Constructed Devices Policy.
Roller Coaster
Division
B
Oct 5, 2022
Rule 4.e. - Logs will not necessarily be returned to teams. Teams should keep their original log and submit a copy to the Event Supervisor.
Scrambler
Division
C
Mar 4, 2023
Rule 3.c. - During setup, time will be paused so students can demonstrate their mass falling without the vehicle attached. If the mass contacts the venue floor or has the potential to damage it, a construction penalty will be assessed per rule 3.c. and students will be required to launch using a VASO-provided cushion.
Scrambler
Division
C
Mar 2, 2023
Rule 3.c. - The protective pad/cushion referenced in this rule is considered part of the device and must fit within the allowed Scrambler device dimensions. VASO expects it to actually protect the venue's floor from damage, not just prevent the mass from contacting the floor.
Scrambler
Division
C
Nov 10, 2022
Rule 3.e. - ...The egg backstop must be built of any rigid material, and it must have a flat surface of 5.0±0.5 cm wide by 5.0±0.5 cm high by 1.27 cm (0.50”) thick 1.1 cm or thicker.
Scrambler
Division
C
Oct 16, 2022
Rule 3.a. - Teams, even if they are from the same school, may NOT share an energy propulsion system (launcher) in VASO tournaments.
Scrambler
Division
C
Oct 9, 2022
Rule 3.f. - Since dowels sold as “¼ inch dowels” are typically slightly narrower than that, VASO will accept dowels that measure approximately ¼ inch.
Scrambler
Division
C
Oct 9, 2022
Rule 3.g. - Event Supervisors at VASO tournaments will not allow the egg to be placed inside a bag.
Scrambler
Division
C
Oct 8, 2022
Add a rule 4.b.iv. - If a kit was used to build the team’s device, the Design Log must also include an explanation of at least one substantial modification made to the kit as required by the Constructed Devices Policy.
Scrambler
Division
C
Oct 5, 2022
Rule 4.e. - Logs will not necessarily be returned to teams. Teams should keep their original log and submit a copy to the Event Supervisor.
Solar Power
Division
BC
Mar 6, 2023
Scoring Changes: Changing the distribution of points between the heat and prediction score and fixing a typo in the heat retention factor.
Rule 5.e. - Heat Score (HS) = (HRF/Highest HRF of all teams) x 15 20 points;
HRF (Heat Retention Factor) = (final beaker water temp - starting beaker water temp)/ starting beaker water temp
Rule 5.f. Prediction Score (PS) = (PE/Highest PE of all teams) x 25 20 points;
PE (Prediction Estimate) = (1-(abs (final beaker water temp - predicted final beaker water temp) / final beaker water temp)). The minimum PS possible is 0 points.
Solar Power
Division
BC
Mar 3, 2023
At VASO States, Solar Power will NOT be an impound event.
Solar Power
Division
BC
Feb 15, 2023
Solar Power is a trial event, using VASO-specific rules. While individual medals are awarded, it does not count towards the team score. Either alternates or members of the competition team may compete in the event, however each school may only send one pair to compete.
Solar Power
Division
BC
Feb 15, 2023
Rule 4.h. - VASO will test using Vernier probes which will be left in the device during the 10-minute testing. The device must be able to accommodate this in such a way that the probe touches the water during the entire testing period. Probe dimensions: The stainless-steel part of the probe is 108mm long and has a diameter of 4mm. The plastic handle is 75mm long and 12mm in diameter. See the probe picture.
Solar Power
Division
BC
Feb 15, 2023
Rule 4.b. - VASO will use a clear, incandescent 150-watt bulb, with a color temperature of 2850 Kelvin.
Sounds of Music
Division
B
Jan 3, 2023
Song Excerpt (States) - The excerpt of Battle Hymn of the Republic original published in the Rules should be discarded and the State Tournament will use this version where the notes below G4 were re-written to different notes within the G4 to G5 octave.
Sounds of Music
Division
B
Oct 19, 2022
Rule 6.b.iv. Song Score (SS) = (Device Song Score/Highest Device Song Score of all teams) x 15 points 20 points
Storm the Castle
Division
B
Mar 2, 2023
In order to protect the floor at States , Storm the Castle devices will be required to launch off a VASO-provided piece of plywood placed on the floor. The plywood will be 1/2” thick, 4 ft square and will be sanded.
Trajectory
Division
C
Mar 2, 2023
In order to protect the floor at States, Trajectory devices will be required to launch off a VASO-provided piece of plywood placed on the floor. The plywood will be 1/2” thick, 4 ft square and will be sanded.
Trajectory
Division
C
Oct 28, 2022
Section 6: Is the bucket in the same location if two bucket shots are taken (one after being close to the near target and one after being close to the far target)? Does the bucket shot have to follow the shot that earned it?
The shot does not have to be taken immediately after the shot that earned it. The bucket is at the same location for both shots.
Wheeled Vehicle
Division
B
Oct 19, 2022
Rule 5.b.ii. 0.25 m Timing Line - a line of 2.5 cm tape, approximately 70 cm long, to be placed perpendicular to and centered on the imaginary Center Line. The edge of the line closest to the Start Point must be 0.25 cm m from the Start Point.
Wheeled Vehicle
Division
B
Oct 9, 2022
Rule 3.e. - Since dowels sold as “¼ inch dowels” are typically slightly narrower than that, VASO will accept dowels that measure approximately ¼ inch.
Wheeled Vehicle
Division
B
Oct 8, 2022
Add a rule 4.b.iv. - If a kit was used to build the team’s device, the Design Log must also include an explanation of at least one substantial modification made to the kit as required by the Constructed Devices Policy.
Wheeled Vehicle
Division
B
Oct 5, 2022
Rule 4.e. - Logs will not necessarily be returned to teams. Teams should keep their original log and submit a copy to the Event Supervisor.
WiFi Lab
Division
C
Mar 1, 2023
Rule 5.II.c - At VASO States, teams will be given the opportunity to make 5 connection attempts within a 7 minute testing time.
WiFi Lab
Division
C
Dec 26, 2022
Rules 2.d. and 7.f. - As this is not an impound event, VASO is not requiring teams to bring their device in a box and will not be awarding the Submission Bonus (SB).