Coaches,
An issue with the Hovercraft event has been brought to my attention. The way we have it currently
scheduled would potentially offer some teams an unfair advantage as it relates to the written test.
Let me explain. This year we have five schools in division B and three schools in division C that are each
bringing two teams. Hovercraft is scheduled as a drop in event, scheduled online when we open the sign
ups. The issue at hand is that schools with two teams could possibly share answers from the written test
with each other, thus potentially gaining an advantage over schools who only have one team at
regionals. Sharing answers is cheating, and while we are not expecting there will be any cheating, there
is certainly the possibility that answers could be shared.
After getting feedback from affected teams, the Ohio Science Olympiad Director, and discussions with
Laurel, we have decided to run the Hovercraft event in the following manner:
I. Schools with two teams should try to schedule both teams to test in the
same hour through the online signups.
a.
We understand that this may not work for your team. If this is not possible, then:
i. Division B teams (4 total) will take the written test
during impound. (8:00-8:50)
ii. Division C teams (2 total) will take the written test
at 3:15. (This will help reduce the amount of grading needed at the end of
the day.)
NOTE: This is only for the Hovercraft B and C WRITTEN TEST. This does not apply to device
testing. Device testing will be done according to the online sign ups.
Teams will be allowed approximately 35 minutes to complete the written test, approximately the
same amount of time they could use during the normal 50 minute testing block (at least 8
minutes is needed to run the devices down the track).
This solution was the one that garnered the most support from the coaches.
Hopefully, this is a compromise that everyone can work with.
So you know what to expect , here is a screen shot of what you will see in the electronic registration
process.
I want to make it clear that:
1) EVERY team should register for Hovercraft – B (or C)
2) and ONLY schools bringing two teams who were not able to register both teams for the same
Hovercraft hour, should sign up for the “Double Teams” section. There are plenty of spots for
the “Double Teams”, so that step can be done last with no issues.
See image below…