FAQs will be closed at midnight on Thursday, May 10, 2012. Please review the Official Rules Clarifications in addition to the FAQs. Official Rules Clarifications are made to clarify or correct the rules printed in the Rules Manuals. FAQs are replies to commonly asked questions.The Official Rules Clarifications and FAQs apply to all states and all tournaments and originate at the national level (please check your regional or state website for additional information). If you need copies of the official rules, that can only be found in the Rules Manuals, see your coach or go to the Science Olympiad Store.
To see posted FAQs or to Submit a Question for a Rules Clarification, please select one of the events below or to search for a key word use the "search box" (HINT: to see all FAQ responses: use the "Printer-Friendly Version" Button). To see if a similar questions to yours has been asked, click on the Reveal Questions button. For Trial event questions, please submit them under the Reveal Questions button at the very end under Trial Events.
The Submit a Question form is to be used to ask questions about a specific section and paragraph number in the event rule that might be unclear, not to be a help or answer desk. Only specific clarifying questions will receive replies. They will be posted if they are not a repetition of what is already stated in the rules. Concerning specificity about what is allowed please read the Code of Ethics and General Rules. For general info about team size and an overview of Science Olympiad, see Background under About SO.
Questions that will not receive a reply: those that are already answered and posted, what materials to use, how to build a device, if a device complies to the rules, what will be covered on a test, how to coach the event. These questions should go to your Coach or see the links under EVENT INFO.
General tournament, facilities or site-specific questions should go to your State Director.
Questions must be directed toward the rules. We cannot pre-judge your device by answering questions on whether it complies.
IMA is determined by the output distance moved divided by the input distance moved. We are sorry the previous answer was incorrect. The correct method of determining IMA is the effort distance divided by the resistance distance. If the IMA is greater than 1, then a lighter mass can lift a heavier mass.
A granular material is a conglomeration of discrete solid, macroscopic particles characterized by a loss of energy whenever the particles interact (the most common example would be friction when grains collide). Some examples of granular materials are nuts, coal, sand, rice, coffee, corn flakes, fertilizer, sugar, nuts, popcorn, ball bearings, etc.
Questions must be directed toward the rules. We cannot pre-judge your device by answering questions on whether it complies.
No. The balsa wood disc must be the upper most part of the helicopter that would touch a flat ceiling. The disc can be atop a short spike, but the spike cannot be above the disc.
Yes, as long as the valve is on the control box.
This is meant for competition violations above and beyond the specific consequences spelled out in section 6. Events that stop the clock as spelled out in para 6.c are NOT competition violations. Some examples of competition violations that would result in tiering: - A team uses more than 5 minutes to set up their device. - A team receives outside help during the competition period. - Starting to compete without notifying the Supervisor. Blatant unsportsmanlike conduct could result in a DQ.
Please do not use this form for EVENT RULE questions as they must be submitted by selecting one of the 46 events listed. This page refers to questions that apply to all events and to Science Olympiad in general.
No, students may not compete on 2 teams in the same tournament.
Event Supervisors are not willing to share their methods of insuring that students do not communicate with the outside during an event.
This depends on each tournament Director's timeline. You may need to inquire about the schedule directly with each of your directors. The very tentative national schedule is generally posted in the Coaches Manuals.
You are correct. There are very few questions and answers posted this year because the rules have been generally well written and we have received few questions that are worthy of posting. We are responding to all questions that come in but be aware that responses may take up to a week. Please be sure to read the parameters that we use to decide what questions we will or will not answer. These parameters may be found at Event Info/FAQs...
Material on the website has been contributed by coaches, event supervisors and workshop presenters from all levels of competition. Any additional material will be posted as it becomes available. If you would like to contribute material (non-copyright) please contact the Science Olympiad National Office.
No, you must choose one or the other at a tournament. You may not be on two rosters at the same tournament.
Each tournament is independently organized. Your team may be composed of any students who meet the requirements. They do not have to be the same as those who competed in previous tournaments.
Contact your Regional and State Director for information about those tournaments. All known future National Tournament dates can be found on the "Tournaments" page on this website and in the current Rules Manual.
Allowed resources are different for each event. Please read each Event Rule and the General Rules in the Rules Manual for information on using resources.
Depends on where the order was sent, when it was sent, and if the order was received.
First check with your main/business office to determine if and when the order was sent and to whom it was sent. Do not assume that if you gave your office an order that it was sent. It often takes as much as 6 weeks before orders are approved by the school board. If it has been more than 7 working days since your order was actually sent, you may want to call the office that it was sent to, to determine if your order was indeed received.
The rules are copyrighted and may not be placed on any website. Copies of the Rules Manual containing the rules for all events are generally sent to the coach when a team is registered. Additional copies may be purchased from the Science Olympiad Store on this website.
Answers to all questions about rules can generally be found in the Rules Manual by reading the rules carefully. The Clarifications and individual Event FAQ pages have only selected answers to corrections or common misunderstandings.
Researching information is part of the competition and is the responsibility of the contestants. Some information available from Science Olympiad on the internet can be located on the page for that event. To access event pages, go to Event Info, Division, event name.
The rules are copyrighted and may not be placed on the web without the permission of the Science Olympiad National Executive Board of Directors. They have voted unanimously NOT to post the rules on the website for numerous reasons. Some issues and concerns that had an impact on the decision were; membership timing and delays, graphics and charts, bogus electronic copies, school's inability to download or open documents, downloading platforms and other problems. Other Science Olympiad manuals (but not the Rules Manual) contribute to the revenue which keeps the organization financially sound and able to provide the high-quality educational experience that it does.
Additional copies of the Rules Manual may be purchased from the Science Olympiad store on this website.
Questions on coaching a team, study resources and membership requirements.
Yes, dozens of them, many listed under event info on the National Science Olympiad website.
Science Olympiad does not certify coaches. We accept any adult that the school accepts as a coach. It does not have to be a teacher or an administrator of the school. It could be a parent or a community member. Each school may have different requirements for coaches.
With the concurrence of your tournaments organizers, to encourage and support the inclusion of all children who wish to participate in Science Olympiad, schools with grade levels lower than those designated in a division (e.g., K-8, 3-7, 7-12) are permitted to invite members below the Division grade level designations if no other outlet (such as a division-specific team) is available. We prefer and encourage students to participate in the division that matches current Science Olympiad grade level designations. Participation is limited to age-appropriate events (as determined by a coach, principal or tournament director) and prohibited where safety is a concern (such as the use of chemicals).
No, but they are welcome to form a new team even if it is with only a few students at first. Remember that a parent, a community member or any educator, etc. may be a coach, but be sure to notify the principal and follow all of the school rules.
Each tournament is independently organized. Your team may be composed of any students who meet the requirements on page 2 of the Coaches Manual and Rules. They do not have to be the same as those who competed in previous tournaments.
A student prepared binder is NOT allowed this year. The printed Rule takes precedence over any other study material.
Any adult can be a coach (teacher, parent, administrator, previous competitor, counselor, engineer, local businessman, dentist, shop owner, rock hound, etc,). The only requirement is students must be from the same school and the principal must verify that the competitors are members of that school.
There is no "official" rule on "alternate" members. Alternates may participate only if one of the 15 regular team members can't make it the day of the competition or if a team member becomes ill or injured. Alternates may not fill in if there is a schedule conflict or if the schedule changes on the day of the competition.
Some tournaments restrict the number (if any) per team and sometimes allow them to participate in trials events and drop off impound items. Many tournaments issue and require "regular" team members to wear "hospital style" wrist bands so alternates do not "accidentally" cover for a late member.
Answers to all questions can be found in this knowledge base. The Clarifications and individual Event FAQ pages have been merged into this Knowledge base.
The informal Science Olympiad Coaches Discussion Group has many experienced coaches that can can offer assistance. To join go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/science-olympiad-coaches/
For general information and pdfs regarding trial events, please visit the Trial Events information page.
To ask questions about a Trial Event or to find out which events will be held, contact your Regional or State Director.
No