Questions 1-10
Questions 11-20
Questions 21-30
Questions 31-40

Question #1: Toothpick Tower - Is This illegal “cross-bracing”?

Response: Rule 3 of the construction specs says that the towers must be completely open inside, on top, and on the bottom. In the side view diagram if that brace is on the outside it is legal. If the cross piece is on the inside it is illegal. Also, look at #8 in the construction specs, it states “cross bracing is only allowed in the same plane”.

Question #2: Toothpick Tower - Is it possible for the toothpick tower design to taper in the middle of the design and still have at least 100 cm at the base and top of the tower?

Response: Per the specifications, if the top is no bigger than 100 cm2, the base no smaller than 100 cm2 and the tower is “completely open inside” than the design should be legal. Final decisions will be up to the lead judge on the day of competition.

Question #3: Toothpick Tower - Is it possible to have a joint with two layers of toothpicks plus another toothpick diagonally? For example, multiple toothpicks at one point?

Response: Per the specifications, “there can be an overlap of at most two-thirds (2/3) on any single toothpick.” Center crossovers that have 3-4 toothpicks coming together (see sample below) will be ok as long as it follows this rule. Also, see the examples in the MESA Day Book page 29. Final decisions will be up to the lead judge on the day of the competition.

Question #4: Toothpick Tower - The toothpick tower spec requires a top area of less than 100 cm2, but the judging score sheet requires a top area greater then 100 cm2. Which one is intended?

Response: Towers are judged according to the specifications. The included score sheets are meant as an example only.

Question #5: Cargo Bottle Rocket - Do we have to have a 3 man team?

Response: Per the specifications, the required number of team members is three. However, only two team members must be present during testing.

Question #6: Cargo Bottle Rocket - When it states, “remain aloft for a maximum period of time” is that from launch to its max height or is it from its launch to when it hits the ground?

Response: The rocket will be timed from launch to the time that the capsule touches the ground.

Question #7: Cargo Bottle Rocket - Can you attach a parachute to the bottle to make it stay in the air longer?

Response: Per the specifications, objective 2 is to “deploy at apogee a parachuted capsule…”. Therefore, a parachute is required for the capsule but not the bottle. A parachute can be attached to the bottle if the team desires.

Question #8: Cargo Bottle Rocket - May students use a drill-press to fuse (using heat) the lid of one two liter bottle, to the bottom of the second two liter bottle, in order to form a two-chamber bottle rocket?

Response: This is not allowed because the use of heat to fuse the bottles together could comprise the integrity of the bottle.

Question #9: Roller Coaster Run - Can the platform that the roller coaster sits on be shaped, if it would not exceed the required dimensions?

Response: Yes it can, the specification do not require that the base be a square only that it be “a flat base, and the design and the base must both fit within a box 70 cm x 70 cm x 70 cm.”

Question #10: Roller Coaster Run - Can teams have battery operated things on their roller coaster for special effects?

Response: Per the specifications electrical accessories are not restricted. However, as they are part of the design, all parts of these accessories, including power source, must fit within the 70cm x 70 cm x 70 cm dimensions and 10 kg weight limit.