Rules Clarifications
Official Rules Clarifications are made to clarify or correct the rules printed in the manuals. These Official Rules Clarifications apply to all states and all tournaments and originate at the national level. Click here to view Event FAQs or to Submit a Question .
Check your state web sites for special updates pertaining to your regional or state events and do not forget to review the Event FAQs page.
Junkyard Challenge, Mission Possible and Mousetrap Vehicle: According to TSA, Mousetraps are NOT considered as a prohibited item by airlines in either carry-on or checked baggage - see: ( http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm ) (7/22/09)
Anatomy & Physiology: Section 3.b.x. Torricellis should read Torticollis. (9/25/09)
Physics Lab: The TOP TITLE for page 25 should read PHYSICS LAB. The contents of the page are correct. (9/25/09)
Ornithology: Official Bird List for 2010 (PDF) Note: Family added 9/29 Shrikes (Laniidae) for Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus (9/29/09)
Fossils: Section 3.l. chiton should read chitin. (10/17/09)
Physical Science Lab/Physics Lab: Section 3.b. is correct as stated. The blade does have to have a maximum diameter between the numbers stated, but reads better if the word "maximum" is omitted. (10/17/09)
Mission Possible: Section 3.d. should read (see additions in bold): "Electric components shall be limited to batteries, wires, motors, switches, resistors, capacitors, commercial photocells (i.e., cadmium sulfide (CdS) cell, photoresistors or light dependent resistors), mechanical relays, lightbulbs, and LEDs. No computers or transistors will be permitted in the device." (11/9/09)
Mission Possible: Section 4.b. should read (see additions in bold): "Activate a photocell that allows current to flow to a motor, which leads to the next action." (11/9/09)
Mousetrap Vehicle: Section 3.b. should read "If any piece falls off during the run, it is considered a construction violation." (1/17/10)
Events requiring Eye Protection #5 (High Impact Protection - ANSI Z87+) - Goggles with lenses identified as Z87+ regardless of markings on other parts of the goggles and Spectacles identified as Z87+ with side shields regardless of markings on other parts of the spectacles will be acceptable for events requiring High Impact Protection #5. (4/8/10)
Junkyard Challenge: Section 3.i. and 4.g. and 4. Ties, Seconds are recorded in "whole seconds" so, 59.5 would be recorded as 59. And, any time between 60.00-60.99 would be recorded as 60, after which actions are no longer scored (See the posted Junkyard FAQs). The 2nd Tiebreaker should read: Closest time of operation to 60 seconds" (4/12/10)