November Mission Model Discussion: M10 - PIPE REPLACEMENT

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

At the Beginning of the Match: The yellow Broken Pipe with a loop on is positioned between the green ramps and black pipe pieces over the toilet/water treatment axle assembly along the midline of the game mat. The blue New Pipe and Optional Loop are in Base. The Optional Loop is not connected to the New Pipe.
Required for Scoring: The New Pipe is in the place where the Broken Pipe began, in full flat contact with the mat.
Conditions: NONE
Score: 20 Points
Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom:  Scores at the end of the match if a New Pipe is in full flat contact with the mat inside the Broken Pipe location. You may use the Optional Loop from Base - you may not remove the loop from the Broken Pipe.

Real World Impact: Approximately 1.5% of water pipes in the United States are replaced each year. This is a big process often involving the removal of a roadway to replace aging and damaged pipes. The process is very time-consuming for both the workers and for the community that must navigate through the process. When a pipe or series of pipes is being replaced water must be routed around the construction area so that service to residents, businesses, and industry can be maintained. Because pipe failure is currently the most likely reason for pipe replacement the work is not coordinated with surface projects like repaving of roads, leaving other systems more likely to experience damage in the future.

Discussion: Installing the loop on the New Pipe is optional. Does your team need the loop to complete this mission? How does using or not using the loop affect your game strategy?