Can't Judge a Powder

Welcome to Can't Judge a Powder! In this event, students will test and characterize one pure substance and then, based only on data they collect, answer a series of questions about that substance. Students will not be asked to identify the substance. Emphasis of this event is on the quality of data collected, answering questions about the substance and providing data to support their answers.

The information below should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. You can find free online copies of the current rules for download on the 2023 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. 

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Tips on Data Collection (PDF) - an excellent overview of the use of several data collection devices from Texas Instruments including sensors and probes; stations at tournaments may incorporate these devices
• Recommended Lab Equipment List

SO STORE & WARD'S SCIENCE MATERIALS

• Coming soon!

Texas Instruments makes material available to Science Olympiad teams through their Educator Loan program. Teams interested in borrowing equipment to practice with learn more about this program here.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS & TESTS

• Coming soon!

EVENT SUPERVISOR RESOURCES 

In addition to the resources on the Event Supervisors page, Can't Judge a Powder Event Supervisors should be sure to use the following resources:

• Recommended Lab Equipment List
• Event Logistics Manual (Updated 10/25/22 to fix an error with Can't Judge a Powder)

CAREER CONNECTIONS

• STEM Session with SO Alum Mark Tourre of the US Army Criminal Investigations Lab
• CareerOneStop - Forensic Science Technicians Career Video
• STEM Session on Forensics
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security Career Cluster Information
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Forensic Science Technicians
• How do Analytical Chemists Help Our World? (with Thermo Fisher Scientist, Kristina Rucker)