7 Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org Featured Article the map. Teams are scored on the accuracy of the map, its adherence to the provided specifications, and the aesthetics of the map’s appearance. • Pacing: Several points are provided at the competition, and teams are asked to determine the distance between them to the nearest foot, using only the length of their pace and a calculator. Scores are given based on the accuracy of these paced distances. • Differential leveling: Starting at a point of known elevation, teams must determine the elevation of another point using differential leveling procedures and a standard leveling note form. Scores are given based on the accuracy of the measured elevation and the quality of their note form. • Building stakeout: Two control points are set at the competition site, and each team is provided a schematic of a small building. Teams must set a PK nail at each of the building corners using a total station and traditional stakeout methods. Scores are provided based on the deviation of these nails from the true coordinates of the building corners. • Proposed sewer line profile: At the competition site, stakes are provided at several stations along the proposed alignment of a sewer line. Teams are told the slope and starting location of this sewer, and are asked to determine the cut depth of the sewer at each stake, using a differential level to determine the ground elevation. Teams are then ranked based on their accuracy relative to the true cut depth. Preparation Preparing for the competition was a significant learning experience; much of what we were asked to do had not been taught to us in surveying classes. For an added challenge, this would be OSU’s first time participating in the competition in several years and the team would therefore not have access to any institutional knowledge of the competition—we could only guess exactly how the field tasks would be organized. As team captain, this meant my role was as much of an educator as I was a leader in the field exercises. Between meetings, I was Kyle Winney, Porter Raab (rod person way in the back), and Isaac Anderson at the regionals. Isaac Anderson at the nationals. continues
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