Updated as of 4/3/23
This document serves as an official addendum to the 2023 MESA Day Handbook. All clarifications and statements are considered as official rulings for competition. Addition questions/clarifications may be submitted to anita@nmmesa.org.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
Q: Can you confirm the number of teams we can have?
A: The number of teams you can bring is determined by the number of A0 profiles your program has on file as of the registration deadline, March 10, 2023 at 5PM. It is also determined by the Regional Coordinator inspection (done prior to the same deadline) that will determine team readiness. At inspection, RC will evaluate each team’s Prepared Design and each team device must pass the inspection list to be able to compete in the Prepared Design Event. You are not able to register an additional team unless you have the required profiles, the previous team is complete, the previous team is competing in all events, and the previous team has passed the prepared design inspection. (1/24/23)
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MESA Day Competition |
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Small School: <=25 profiles |
Max number of teams=2 |
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Medium School: >=26 and <=45 profiles |
Max number of teams=3 |
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Large School: >=46 and <=69 profiles |
Max number of teams=5 |
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Extra Large School: >=70 profiles |
Max number of teams=7 |
Q: What happens in an event when there is a huge spread between the winning team and a team that is successful in the task or if overall all scores in an event are really low that could impact the overall score?
A: All scoring parameters will be provided to each student team prior to competition. If upon completion of the event, NM MESA determines the spread to be extremely skewed, NM MESA reserves the right to add/modify the given participation points in an event. If participation points are increased, they will be added to all participating teams proportionately. (3/30/23)
PREPARED DESIGN: TREBUCHET THROWBACK
Q: Can you clarify Rule #18: “With the counterweight, projectile and sling removed, the rotating arm must balance in all positions of the arm’s full operating motion used during each task. The arm may not rotate more than 30 degrees from any ready to launch position.”
A (Part 1): During inspection, the judges will ask the team to remove the counterweight, projectile and sling. In any position on the diagram the arm must balance. For this to happen, the arm must be centered on the pivot point OR weight of the arm will need to be adjusted on both sides of the pivot point to ensure a balance. Example, if you have a longer end it can be skinnier than the the short end or you can add weight to the short end to ensure balance. (1/24/23)
A: (Part 2): The 30 degree limitation is only measured during inspection with all mentioned items removed. When the judges ask to place the arm in a position (ready to launch) the arm must balance and not rotate for more than 30 degrees unassisted to determine it is in fact balanced. During launch, there is no limitation on movement. (1/24/23)
A: DURING INSPECTION, the judge will ask student teams to remove sling, projectile, and counterweight. At this time, the arm must balance in a horizontal position (position “B”, Figure 5 in the handbook). If it balances in this position it is verified to be a balanced arm and can balance in any other position. (3/9/23)
Q: Why is scoring calculated as a formula?
A: The scoring formula was created to allow for a perfect score and to have at least 1 team able to receive full points added to the overall team score, the rest are scored on a sliding performance scale. If done as a simple deduction, the best performance could still not receive full points in this event giving a disadvantage in the overall team score. (1/24/23)
Q: There is conflicting language in Rule #43 and description of the scoring formula, will measurement be taken at rest or at initial impact?
A: Measurement will be taken at rest per Rule #43. If the projectile slides upon impact, measurement will be taken at the point of rest. (1/24/23)
Q: Can you give the exact dimensions of the projectile beanbags?
A: Per handbook, the projectile is a Mini Cornhole Bean Bag, measuring approximately 6 x 6 cm and weighing .8-1 oz. The product links are below that have been ordered for MESA Day, but there is an accepted level of variance that is out of our control when ordering manufactured items. (3/9/23) NOTE: The weight is in oz not kg. (Modified 3/21/23)
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09W4S9VXS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B253C7XB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Q: Are we able to select our beanbags?
A: Each testing station will have a pile of beanbags available for use. During your given prep time per launch (1-2 minutes), you are welcome to evaluate beanbags and select one of the available options to use, but teams will not be given additional time for this process. You are also allowed to impound repair materials. This can include measurement instruments/scales if you want to use your prep time to measure/weigh projectiles beyond the given dimensions when making your selection. (3/9/23)
Q: Will the measurement for the height of the counterweight be taken at the top or the bottom (80 cm)?
A: The measurement will taken from the highest point (see figure 1) to the launch pad surface. (3/28/23)
Q: What happens if we launch our device and the bean bag does not come out for a launch?
A: If the bean bag does not gain any distance from the launch pad by either staying in the sling or staying in the sling and then falling out after the motion stops onto the launch pad, it will be declared a “false start”. Per, handbook a team is allowed one “false start”. The handbook states that any “false start” after will result in a zero for that trial. A false start will also be called if the device moves prior to the judge calling start, a student touches/interferes with the device after its been released, and/or the trigger mechanism fails.
As a modification to the handbook, each team will be allowed (1) false start PER target. After that, any false start at that target will result in a zero for that trial. (3/30/23)
Q: For this event, if a team scores near perfect and the formula is based on a scale, teams that are successful in landing in the target, but have a large distance gap can only potentially receive 1 point, is that true?
A: Yes that is true. However, upon evaluation of the event, NM MESA reserves the right to add participation points to award participation in the Prepared Design Event. Teams participating, but that are not successful in landing within any target zone are guaranteed a minimum of 25 points for the event. And, teams that are successful in landing within (at minimum) 1 target zone are guaranteed a minimum of 50 points for the event. (3/30/23)
Q: Our trebuchet design has its own launch pad surface. Where will measurement(s) be taken, from our surface or the floor?
A: If you included a launch pad surface the following may not drop/extend below the “surface” at any point of operation to be considered one: counterweight, arm, projectile and sling. Measurements will be taken from the place determined to be the launch pad surface. (4/3/23)
Q: What can we change during our launches?
A: Per handbook, the only thing that can be entirely changed/swapped out is the sling. Other items can be modified between tasks (counterweight, pin, etc) but cannot be entirely swapped out. If modifying the counterweight, the measurement will be taken in its heaviest state. (4/3/23)
Q: What can we fix between trials?
A: Between trials/launches you are able to modify/fix anything on your trebuchet within the allotted time given assuming all needed materials to modify fix are checked in with your trebuchet. The only item that can be entirely swapped out is your sling. Ensure that you are checking in all needed materials, extra sling. Nothing will be allowed to be borrowed from other teams or given from the audience once competition is started. (4/3/23)
Q: What are the measurements in inches/lbs?
A: Measurements will be official and taken as listed in the handbook, but conversions for reference (rounded to nearest tenth) are as follows: (4/3/23)
- Counterweight Height from Surface: 80 cm, 31.5 inches
- Pivot Point Height from Surface: 60 cm, 23.6 inches
- Allowable Projectile Surface Height: 3 cm, 1.2 inches
- Max Counterweight: 1.5 kg, 2.2 lbs (35.3 ounces)
- Target 1: 6.25 m to center with a 125 cm radius, 246.1 inches (20.5 feet) with a 49.2 inch (4.1 feet) radius
- Target 2: 10 m to center with a 200 cm radius, 393.7 inches (32.8 feet) with a 78.7 inch (6.6 feet) radius
- Trigger Area: 150 cm from the determined launch pad zone, 59.1 inches
