Rules Clarifications
Clarifications & FAQs open September 19 and close May 3. 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.
2024 Science Olympiad Rules Clarifications/Changes
Science Olympiad is issuing Rules Clarifications/Changes for the following competitive events that should be applied to all competitions for the 2024 Season:
Chemistry Lab - Division C (09/21/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects an example of a possible task or assessment prompt that may be featured in this event.
Rule with Error
Section 3.d.v.: Use a calorimeter to predict a curve.
Corrected Rule
Section 3.d.v.: Use a calorimeter colorimeter to predict a curve.
Detector Building - Division C (09/14/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects two omissions in the description of the types of calculators that are allowed in this event.
Rule with Omissions
Section 2.a.: Each team may bring one participant-constructed, ORP or Redox probe with a laptop or a calculator for programming/display, two calculators of any type, and one 2” or smaller three-ring binder, as measured by the interior diameter of the rings, containing information in any form and from any source. Sheet protectors, lamination, tabs and labels are permitted.
Corrected Rule
Section 2.a.: Each team may bring one participant-constructed, ORP or Redox probe with a laptop or a stand-alone calculator for programming/display, two stand-alone calculators of any type, and one 2” or smaller three-ring binder, as measured by the interior diameter of the rings, containing information in any form and from any source. Sheet protectors, lamination, tabs and labels are permitted.
Dynamic Planet - Division B (09/14/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects the information provided in the Calculator Matrix on page 80 of the Division B Rulebook to make it consistent with the information provided in Rule 2.b. on page 17 of the Rulebook.
Rule with Error
The Calculator Matrix on page 80 of the Division B Rulebook indicates that Class I, Class II, and Class III calculators are allowed in this event.
Corrected Rule
To be consistent with the information for Dynamic Planet on page 17, Section 2.b. of the Division B Rulebook the Calculator Matrix on page 80 of the Division B Rulebook indicates that Class I and Class II, and Class III calculators are allowed in this event.
Dynamic Planet - Division C (09/14/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects the information provided in the Calculator Matrix on page 85 of the Division C Rulebook to make it consistent with the information provided in Rule 2.b. on page 19 of the Rulebook.
Rule with Error
The Calculator Matrix on page 85 of the Division C Rulebook indicates that Class I, Class II, and Class III calculators are allowed in this event.
Corrected Rule
To be consistent with the information for Dynamic Planet on page 19, Section 2.b. of the Division C Rulebook the Calculator Matrix on page 85 of the Division C Rulebook indicates that Class I and Class II, and Class III calculators are allowed in this event.
Flight - Division B (09/05/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects an incorrect reference to another section of the Flight Rules.
Rule with Error
Section 6.b.: Flight Score for each official flight = Flight Time x Bonus (5.c.)
Corrected Rule
Section 6.b.: Flight Score for each official flight = Flight Time x Bonus (5.c. 6.c.)
Flight - Division C (09/05/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects an incorrect reference to another section of the Flight Rules.
Rule with Error
Section 6.b.: Flight Score for each official flight = Flight Time x Bonus (5.c.)
Corrected Rule
Section 6.b.: Flight Score for each official flight = Flight Time x Bonus (5.c. 6.c.)
Tower - Division B
09/14/2023 Clarification
This Rule Clarification corrects two spelling errors found in the Rules.
Rule with Error
Section 4.b: Division C - Teams may submit a Deisgn Log of structures tested prior ti competition and may earn a Log Book Multiplier if the log is complete.
Corrected Rule
Section 4.b: Division C - Teams may submit a DeisgnDesign Log of structures tested prior tito competition and may earn a Log Book Multiplier if the log is complete.
09/05/2023 Clarification
This Rule Clarification corrects a scoring example by including the correct Load Supported value and recalculating the result.
Rule with Error
Section 7.g.iii.: Structure 3: mass = 10.12 g, Load Supported = 12,134 g + 5000 g Load Scored Bonus, Log Compliant Score (1.25x) = 2,116
Corrected Rule
Section 7.g.iii.: Structure 3: mass = 10.12 g, Load Supported = 12,13415,000 g + 5000 g Load Scored Bonus, Log Compliant Score (1.25x) = 2,1162,470
Tower - Division C
09/14/2023 Clarification
This Rule Clarification corrects two spelling errors found in the Rules.
Rule with Error
Section 4.b: Division C - Teams may submit a Deisgn Log of structures tested prior ti competition and may earn a Log Book Multiplier if the log is complete.
Corrected Rule
Section 4.b: Division C - Teams may submit a DeisgnDesign Log of structures tested prior tito competition and may earn a Log Book Multiplier if the log is complete.
09/05/2023 Clarification
This Rule Clarification corrects a scoring example by including the correct Load Supported value and recalculating the result.
Rule with Error
Section 7.g.iii.: Structure 3: mass = 10.12 g, Load Supported = 12,134 g + 5000 g Load Scored Bonus, Log Compliant Score (1.25x) = 2,116
Corrected Rule
Section 7.g.iii.: Structure 3: mass = 10.12 g, Load Supported = 12,13415,000 g + 5000 g Load Scored Bonus, Log Compliant Score (1.25x) = 2,1162,470
Wheeled Vehicle - Division B (09/14/2023)
This Rule Clarification corrects the information provided in the Calculator Matrix on page 80 of the Division B Rulebook to make it consistent with the information provided in Rule 2.b. on page 54 of the Rulebook.
Rule with Error
The Calculator Matrix on page 80 of the Division B Rulebook indicates that no calculators are allowed in this event.
Corrected Rule
To be consistent with the information for Wheeled Vehicle on page 54, Section 2.b. of the Division B Rulebook the Calculator Matrix on page 80 of the Division B Rulebook indicates that Class I, Class II, and Class III calculators are allowed in this event.
