National Science Olympiad Tournament

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Will we have access for our computers on campus?

Ans: everyone who registered on our website will receive a nametag in a lanyard. Each person will have a wireless login and password on the back of their tag along with a number to call anytime with questions.

Student Questions

How high is the ceiling in the McClain Center?

Ans: approximately 65 feet at the center point. This is a football indoor practice facility that requires a high ceiling.

What is the floor surface in the SHELL where vehicles will run?

Ans: Poured Rubber. It appears much like a tile floor without any seams. Normally it is used primarily as a basketball-playing surface.

Can alternates participate in the trial events?

Ans: Actually it is encouraged, however, while medals can be won in trial events (not demo events), no scores are used to help with the team score.

We are wondering if the sled for the MagLev, division B, is also a hovercraft on magnets or if it simply slides along the track?

Ans. Yes, the sled is also outfitted with magnets so that it levitates on the track. The sled will be provided by the event supervisor and will be the same for all teams.

Are we allowed to make a Canard plane. If so, then will the first wing (which is the smallest) be considered a wing or a stabilizer?

Ans: As long as there are no more than two horizontal surfaces (e.g. wing and stabilizer) and both are in compliance with the dimensions there is nothing in the rules that prohibits a canard.

I was wondering what key we will be performing Shenandoah in at the opening ceremony. The rules allow students to transpose Shenandoah into a key that is convenient to the players, so some students may be unaccustomed to playing the song in various keys.

Ans: Just bring your wind instrument to play in the key you are prepared to play in for the competition and you will be accommodated.

In the case of a scheduling conflict for two events (in this case Dynamic Planet and Optics), may partners compete at a time other than the regularly scheduled time of the event(s) for their state?

Ans: This is never allowed at a National Science Olympiad Tournament for scheduled events. You must compete in your assigned time slot which is in announced in the annual coaches and students' manual.

I am a participant in Junkyard Challenge. Will I be able to eat breakfast at our dorm on Saturday and still get to the event on time.

Ans: Breakfast is normally served from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the dorms. On Saturday it will be served from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. So you can eat either before or after the build portion of Junkyard.

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Coach Questions

Can a husband and wife stay in a dorm room together and are boys and girls separated?

Ans: yes – adult couples can room together. Either wings or floors will separate students by gender.

How do I get a password?

Ans: after the state directors sends the results of the state tournament to Gerard Putz, national director, and Van Valaskey, co-tournament, then the UW-Madison registrar will send out a password to the coaches email address which will enable them to register.

Are any food plans available for students staying in dorms?

Ans: A full breakfast is included. UW-Madison is offering food cards instead of food plans. They offer far more flexibility to eat at many venues on campus. The cards are purchased during the registration process in increments of $10. These cards can also be used at the bookstores for souvenirs and supplies as well.

How do you know to pick us up at the airport if we fly in on Wednesday and Thursday morning?

Ans: We are hiring a bus transportation service to pick you up based on the flight times you list on the registration form. We will monitor your flight number to know when your flight is arriving. Our tournament staff will make the upfront arrangement to get you from the airport to campus, but you have to make return arrangements. The bus driver will give you a card to arrange your shuttle back to the airport. If you know when you want them to pick you up, then write it on the card and give it to the driver. You can choose to eliminate the middle man (bus driver) and call Rite-Way directly at (608) 249-6462 when you are on campus to arrange the return trip.

Can alternates participate in the trial events?

Ans: Actually it is encouraged, however, while medals can be won in trial events (not demo events), no scores are used to help with the team score.

The team is flying to Madison and some parents are bringing the equipment in a van and U-Haul. Do we need a parking pass for them?

Ans: No. We have a parking lot for buses and vans of people staying in the dorms. It is lot 60 on the interactive website map. There are campus buses running from that lot back to the dorms.

Is there a limit to the number of students that can participate in team activities?

Ans: Of course only 15 identified students will compete for trophies, however all students can take part in workshops, banquets, parties, etc. We encourage you bring students to support the team.

What if I make an error in the registration process on the website?

Ans: It will be possible to get back into the registration using you email and password right up until May 2. So don't worry about making an error. Remember to go through the whole registration at once even if it means skipping sections because you need to finish for it to save. You can always go back in and either modify or add information.

Do we need to dress up for the banquet and closing ceremony?

Ans: You should dress-up for the closing ceremony. Many students will be in the competition area watching the Robo Bot finals and the banquet facilities are right next door in the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and Union South. So rather than leave the competition area and come back, you should simply stay and have dinner. You can then go back to housing and change before the closing ceremony, which starts at 7:00 p.m.

Does Junkyard Challenge build end at 8:00 a.m. or 8:15 a.m.?

Ans: 8:00 a.m.

What is the floor surface in the SHELL where vehicles will run?

Ans: Poured Rubber. It appears much like a tile floor without any seams. Normally it is used primarily as a basketball-playing surface.

Will there be a cost for bus transportation to Thursday's workshops?

Ans: No. When you register your team you will be assessed $1 for each workshop attended by one of your team members which will help offset the cost of bus transportation and materials.

Do I need to include adult chaperones in the count that I give you for Thursday's workshops? We were planning to send an adult to accompany every group of 5-10 kids and I wasn't sure if those adults also need to be registered and pay the $1 fee.

Ans: You don't have to sign up adult coahes/chaperones. They can simply attend the workshops of choice without being charged a $1 fee. If any coach already signed up coaches/chaperones for $1 you can still remove them on the registration site up until May 2.

Don't I need a team number soon so that I can learn of conflicts that competitors on my team will encounter at the NSO Tournament?

Ans: NO! No matter what number is assigned to you, the schedule is designed so that your competitors will have the very same conflicts. So until your official number assignment appears on our website you have no reason to know your number. If I were you I would pick the number one and stay with it through the schedule and you will identify your teams conflicts. You will need your number when you self-schedule, so make certain you check for it on our website before you attempt to self-schedule the second week in May. We have to wait to self-schedule until the last state has their tournament the first weekend in May.

If we can't get a flight out of Madison until Monday morning, can we stay in a dorm for an extra night?

Ans: As long as you are out of the dorm by noon on Monday CST, then you are more than welcome to stay and extra night. Breakfast will be included on Monday morning.

When will self-scheduling take place?

Ans. Self-scheduling will be available at nso.wisc.edu at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar 11, 2011. The site will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, Mar 13, 2011. Anyone that has not scheduled in that time period will have to check with the event supervisor for available times on the day of the competition.

Will our whole team and all of our coaches be allowed to sit together as a team during opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies?

Ans. We will allow 1 coach and 15 team members to sit together on the main floor. The parade of states participants should be part of that group. You will leave room for them at the end of your team's row to join the team after the parade of states is over There is plenty of seating for everyone at the ceremonies.

After the Parade of States is there somewhere in the building where we can store our state flag, school banner and costumes?

Ans. For the remaining part of the ceremonies you will need to keep it with the team by putting it next to your teams row in the isle. After the ceremonies there will be a table for your team during the swap meet and I would suggest a coach go with the team and stand at the table with all your items under that table until the swap meet and ice cream social are over. If you came on a bus, it should be parked very close to the building for you to store whatever.

Are there wristbands for the alternates who are competing in trial events?

Ans: No.- they will register at the event with school name so that no more than one team per school enters.

Our school has a 5 foot wide banner that we are hoping to use in the Parade of States. Will the aisles at the Kohl Center accommodate that width? If no, how wide are the aisles?

Ans: The isles used by B and C are 7 feet wide.

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General Public Questions

Can Parents Participate in the activities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday?

Ans: the workshops on Thursday are for the coaches and students, however, there are tours especially planned for people visiting Madison from all over the country. Certainly there are museums on campus to visit as well. Friday morning we encourage you to attend the "Wisconsin Experience" at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery." You don't want to miss the opening ceremonies at 6:30 pm and the events on Saturday will be spectator friendly as well and spectators are encouraged to attend. Of course you will want to support the teams and honor the competitors.

Can parents stay in the dorms?

Ans: Yes. Couples will also be able to stay in dorm rooms together.

If my daughter is on the team and my husband and I plan to attend, do we arrange our own accommodations or does the team coach make all those arrangements for us?

Ans: The coach registers his coaches and the team members. Parents and chaperones should first signing in at the black Sign In tab as General Public. Select the Tournament tab and from the menu on the left side of the page select Registration.

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VIP Questions

Is parking provide for VIPs?

Ans: a parking space if you are staying at Lowell Center or Union South. VIP shuttles will move you between Union South, Kohl Center and Memorial Union (next to the Lowell Center). On the weekend, parking is free in most lots on campus.

Can I park by the building where I will be supervising my event?

Ans: there are loading zones that you can park in for 20 minutes to unload and load equipment. Then you will have to park your car in the area designated. On Saturday you should be able to park close to the building your event is in.

Can Event Supervisors go on any of the Thursday tours?

Ans: Yes – housing is not provided on Thursday, but if you come early and pay for you lodging you can participate on Thursday's tours for parents and other visitors to Madison.

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If you have questions send them to Van Valaskey and Gary Graper, tournament co-directors, at veval@engr.wisc.edu or by calling 608-890-3994. The questions will be updated at this location on the website.

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