Chem Lab

Welcome to Chem Lab! In this event, teams will complete one or more tasks and answer a series of questions involving the science processes of chemistry focused in the areas of Periodicity and Equilibrium.

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 2024 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. 

Resources & Links

• Rules Clarification Issued (09/21/23)
• Recommended Lab Equipment List
• 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

SO Store & Ward's Science Materials

• New! 2024 Chem Lab Starter Pack
• Official Ward's Science Science Olympiad Chem Lab Kit - must have a school account for regulated chemical shipping
• Official Ward's Science Science Olympiad Lab Equipment Kit 
• 2023 National Test Packet
• 2022 National Test Packet
• 2021 National Test Packet
• 2020 National Test Packet

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

Current Topic Tests

• Coming soon! 

Previous Topic Tests - Oxidation/Reduction & Periodicity

• Practice Test - 2023 Columbia University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 University of Michigan Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 MIT Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Northmont Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Ohio State University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Carolina Science Olympiad Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 Rickards Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 Highlands Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 BullSO Invitational

Previous Topic Tests - Aqueous Solutions & Oxidation/Reduction

• Practice Test - 2022 National Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 SOLVI Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 MIT Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 UChicago Invitational
• Practice Test - 2021 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2021 BirdSO Invitational

Event Supervisor Resources 

In addition to the resources on the Event Supervisors page, Chem Lab Event Supervisors should be sure to use the following resources:

• Recommended Lab Equipment List
• Event Logistics Manual 

Career Connections

• STEM Expo Talk: Dr. Robert Bruce - "Seeing Eye to Eye: How the moth’s eye helps show how we can find inspiration"
• CareerOneStop - Occupation Profile: Chemists
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Environmental Scientists and Specialists
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chemists
• Molecular Biology Research (with Thermo Fisher Scientist, Denise Topacio-Hall)
• Thermo Fisher Career Spotlight - Operations Trainer