2020-2021 Events

[SilverBreeze]

Anyone else forever hoping for the end of forensics? It seems like the only study/ lab event that never changes. Really awards a team that can dust off an old binder from a filling cabinet every year.

oml no. Forensics>>>>>>all other events

It's definitely possible to "break into" the CB/Forensics events(if my Crime Busters experience is worth anything), in part because the major challenge is time crunch that awards practice and team work. This gives advantage to people experienced in the event, but teams still need to train new members when older ones graduate. Questions can be extremely varied(read: random), and analysis can't really be put into a cheatsheet. Forensics is an event that really rewards application, as you can't get fast at ID or good at analysis from reading from a dusty binder. Yes, knowledge questions can be, but rules don't really specify what is allowed in knowledge questions, so almost everything related to the labs are fair game. If an event such as Ecology stayed in place without rotation or topic changes, then yes, I definitely foresee issues, but Forensics requires hands-on learning and practice to maintain a team's speed. My ID gets rustier when I don't practice, and I'll likely need to practice for tryouts next year to get it back.

[CPScienceDude]

Anyone know what might be changing for gravity vehicle? My state's competition is canceled and now I have nothing to do

It'll definitely turn, and hopefully there will be some sort of bonus (scores are way too tight this year). Possibly a can bonus or a ramp height bonus or sm like that.
Sorry that NY states was cancelled. PA will prolly fall victim soon also.

How would turning work? The ramp would have to curve or something weird. Perhaps a target time instead of fastest?

[vehicleguy]

Anyone know what might be changing for gravity vehicle? My state's competition is canceled and now I have nothing to do

It'll definitely turn, and hopefully there will be some sort of bonus (scores are way too tight this year). Possibly a can bonus or a ramp height bonus or sm like that.
Sorry that NY states was cancelled. PA will prolly fall victim soon also.

How would turning work? The ramp would have to curve or something weird. Perhaps a target time instead of fastest?

You would just have to angle your car and then angle your ramp to account for it. I do like the idea of a time bonus though

[JonB]

It'll definitely turn, and hopefully there will be some sort of bonus (scores are way too tight this year). Possibly a can bonus or a ramp height bonus or sm like that.
Sorry that NY states was cancelled. PA will prolly fall victim soon also.

How would turning work? The ramp would have to curve or something weird. Perhaps a target time instead of fastest?

You would just have to angle your car and then angle your ramp to account for it. I do like the idea of a time bonus though

A "turn" was not the bonus when gravity vehicle was an event in the past (during its second year as an event). It was based on the height of the ramp. The LOWER on the ramp you started your car, the greater the bonus (if I remember correctly- its been a while). But, part of the score was still based on time. That was a fun bonus. Not sure which direction they will take it next year.

[maxbajcz]

Rip no air trajectory

Very disappointing. Slauson totally dominated in that event at States in 2016. 4cm near target, hit the pin on the far target and made the bucket shot. We were really hoping to see this event return.

[neuro]

Anyone know the topics for the events yet? Also, what types of topics does enviro chem cover. I haven't been able to find good resources.

[jaspattack]

Anyone else forever hoping for the end of forensics? It seems like the only study/ lab event that never changes. Really awards a team that can dust off an old binder from a filling cabinet every year.

oml no. Forensics>>>>>>all other events

It's definitely possible to "break into" the CB/Forensics events(if my Crime Busters experience is worth anything), in part because the major challenge is time crunch that awards practice and team work. This gives advantage to people experienced in the event, but teams still need to train new members when older ones graduate. Questions can be extremely varied(read: random), and analysis can't really be put into a cheatsheet. Forensics is an event that really rewards application, as you can't get fast at ID or good at analysis from reading from a dusty binder. Yes, knowledge questions can be, but rules don't really specify what is allowed in knowledge questions, so almost everything related to the labs are fair game. If an event such as Ecology stayed in place without rotation or topic changes, then yes, I definitely foresee issues, but Forensics requires hands-on learning and practice to maintain a team's speed. My ID gets rustier when I don't practice, and I'll likely need to practice for tryouts next year to get it back.

People experienced in the event only have an advantage because they have practice, and typically use the same partner. As someone who is doing Forensics for the first time this year, having access to past notes didn't help me as much as actually getting in the lab and practicing. It's startling just how long these tests take to complete, and you'll be at a severe time disadvantage if you think you can do well simply because you have good notes.

[jgrischow1]

If/when nats are cancelled, what about keeping the same events/rules next year and delaying all rotations?

[SilverBreeze]

If/when nats are cancelled, what about keeping the same events/rules next year and delaying all rotations?

Personally, though, I hope not... I want to do Ecology again before I graduate...

[EwwPhysics]

If/when nats are cancelled, what about keeping the same events/rules next year and delaying all rotations?

That would be meh because people would have an even more distinct advantage over freshmen/people new to the event. However, I NEED DESIGNER GENES...