Rules Clarifications
Clarifications & FAQs open October 1 and close May 1. Official Rules Clarifications/Changes are made to correct the rules in the Science Olympiad Rules Manuals. FAQs are replies to commonly asked questions. If a FAQ reply changes the meaning or corrects a rule it will be posted as a Clarification. 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 special updates pertaining to your regional or state events). Click here to view Event FAQs or to Submit a Question. The official event rules can be found in the Science Olympiad Rules Manual free online and in print versions; each registered member must join through their state Science Olympiad organization to participate.
2022 Science Olympiad Rules Clarifications/Changes
It's About Time (Division C)
11/29/21 - These Clarifications are intended to address the relationship between the Design Log, other required documents, and scoring. In addition, a Clarification is being issued to remove text that was overlooked when the Rules were updated for 2022.
2.d. a device diagram Design Log, and...
2.i. a labeled device diagram Design Log should be included
2.i.iii. Teams are encouraged to have a duplicate set of graphs/tables to use, as those submitted may not be returned.
6.e.v. 2 points for including a labeled device diagram Design Log.
6.h. Teams with no device, no time estimates, or that do not make an honest attempt to utilize a device to determine the time periods receive TT1, TT2, and TT3 of 0. Such teams will be allowed to compete in Part I (the written test).
Mission Possible (Division B)
11/08/21 - The published rules omitted information on how the Design Log (Section 4) will be scored. The following is a new addition to Scoring (Section 6).
6.o. Award 25 points for each of the following (50 points maximum).
i. The Design Log is submitted on time as specified in 3.e.i.
ii. The Design Log is legible and provides the information required in Section 4.
Remote Sensing (Division C)
10/01/21 - In the published rules Section 3.b.i. Wien's Law was misspelled.
3.b. The test should be divided equally, approximately 25 % on each, across the following topic areas:
i. Remote sensing instrumentation and physics: active vs. passive sensors; optical and infrared imagers; radiometers; LiDAR; radar altimetry; precipitation radar; blackbody radiation; Planck function, Wein's Wien's Law; Stefan-Boltzmann Law; beam attenuation; absorption and scattering by aerosols; refraction and refractive indices; scattering, gravity.
Sounds of Music (Division B)
11/29/21 - This Clarification addresses how the Design Log should be scored.
6.c.i. 2 points - For a list of materials used in the device Design Log.
12/02/21 - This Clarification revokes the above Clarification issued on 11/29/21 as the 11/29 Clarification was not needed and was issued in error.
Storm the Castle (Division B)
11/29/21 - This Clarification addresses how the Design Log should be scored.
7.f.v. 5 points for including a labeled device picture or diagram Design Log
12/02/21 - This Clarification revokes the above Clarification issued on 11/29/21 as the 11/29 Clarification was not needed and was issued in error.
Trajectory (Division C)
10/07/21 - In the published rules Section 7.b. an important detail about how the Target Score (TS) will be calculated was omitted.
7.b. Target Score (TS) = 2000 (for the near one) or 4000 (for the far one) minus the straight line distance, in mm, from the center of the initial impact of the projectile to the CENTER of the target. Lowest possible TS is 0.
11/29/21 - This Clarification addresses how the Design Log should be scored.
7.c.v. 5 points for including a labeled device picture or diagram Design Log
12/02/21 - This Clarification revokes the above Clarification issued on 11/29/21 as the 11/29 Clarification was not needed and was issued in error.
WiFi Lab (Division C)
10/21/21 - The standard for the encoded signal provided in Section 5.b. in the published rules has been updated to better reflect current encoding standards.
5.b. The Event Supervisor will provide the testing materials listed below, which will be the same for all teams:
i. A transmitter that supplies a 2 mW, 2.4 GHz, 802.15.4 802.11 encoded signal (e.g. a standard WiFi access point / router with external antennas)
11/29/21 - These Clarifications are intended to address the relationship between the Design Log, other required documents, and scoring.
2.c. Impound their device, a device diagram Design Log, and copies
3.g. Prior to competition, teams must calibrate devices by preparing graphs/tables showing the relationship between power and distance for various device or testing setup configurations. A labeled device diagram Design Log should be included
3.g.iii. Teams are encouraged to have a duplicate set of graphs/tables to use, as those submitted may not be returned.
7.d.v. 2 points for including a labeled device diagram Design Log
