I'll let the VA-DC FLL referees give an official decision on this, but it is pretty clear to me with the existing rules what would be junk and what would not be junk. The key to the interpretation are the words "you bring" in the definition of equipment in rule D03. Since the junk penalty is only for "equipment" and equipment is what "you bring" and you are not allowed to bring models to the field. If you follow all of the logic, then the models (airplane toys, methane, etc.) are NOT subject to a junk penalty since they are not "equipment". Only equipment, that which you brought to the match, is subject to the junk penalty.
 
D09 – Penalties – A “Penalty” is a deduction from your final score due to a specific action that is allowed but discouraged.

Penalty values are found in the Missions. There are two types of Penalty:

● Interruption Penalty – Caused by you Interrupting the Robot while it’s not completely in Safety.

● Junk Penalty – Caused…

     • immediately – by each piece of equipment the Robot strands partly in Safety.

     • at the end of the Match – by each piece of equipment still stranded completely outside Safety.

D03 – Equipment – “Equipment” is everything you bring to a Match for Mission-related activity

D08 - Model – A “Model” (often called a “Mission Model”) is any LEGO structure already at the Field when you arrive to compete. You don’t bring Models to the competition Field – they’re already there when you arrive.

Hopefully I have clarified this a bit for now.

RECOMMENDATION: Your team members, not the coach, should understand the entire challenge and all related updates. They should be able to provide a logical explanation to any referee who might make a mistake with respect to applying junk penalties. See rule number R18. http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Challenge/TRASH-TREK/TRASH-TREK-Challenge.pdf

R18 – Scoring

● Scoresheet – The Ref recalls action and inspects the Field with you, Mission by Mission...

• If you agree with the Ref on all facts, you sign the sheet, and the score is final.

• If you don’t agree, tell the Ref nicely. Refs can be wrong, and when they are, they want to know. If there is any lingering disagreement, the Head Ref makes the final decision.


Best of Luck! Have Fun!
Bill

On Wed, Oct 14, 2015 at 12:10 PM, Joseph Trombo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Jennifer and all,

The BrickBeasts have discussed this quite a bit, and have come to the same conclusions that you have.
But, I think an official interpretation would be lovely.
(Please?)

Thanks,
Amy Trombo

From: Jennifer Koehler <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 11:01 AM
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Junk and Penalties

What is considered Junk? i.e. If we attempt to collect a trash bag and lose it, if we demo the building and don't collect the bricks, if we attempt any task really like airplane toys, methane, etc and we drop it and don't go back for it, is that considered junk?  In reading the definitions, it sounds like "equipment" is any attachments we have that we leave on the board. So we wouldn't get points for getting things into safety, but we wouldn't lose any either? correct?

It's defined below:
D09 -
Junk Penalty – Caused…
• immediately – by each piece of equipment the Robot strands partly in Safety.
• at the end of the Match – by each piece of equipment still stranded completely outside Safety.

whereas:
D03 – Equipment – “Equipment” is everything you bring to a Match for Mission-related activity

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