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.

2018 Science Olympiad Rules Clarifications/Changes

Battery Buggy - 10/18/17 (Division B) 7.b. should read, edits in bold: Each Run Score is the sum of four (4) components: Time Score, Distance Score, Center Line Bonus and Penalties.

Forensics - 9/7/17 (Division C) 3.a. should read, edits in bold:

a. The competition will consist of evidence from Parts 3.b.-e. and analysis of the evidence in Part 3.f. Analysis or questions can only be on the evidence topics included in the competition. The amount of evidence included will be according to the following table:

The collected evidence and other data given could be used in a mock crime scene. (This sentence not labeled with a.)

To adjust the Forensics scoring so it matches the table, 4.b. should read:

4.b. The score will be composed of the following elements (percentages given are approximate):

Part 3.b. 20%, Part 3.c. 20%, Part 3.d. 15%, Part 3.e. 15% and 3.f. 30%.  

Mission Possible - 11/28/17 (Division C) Three sections should read, edits shown in strikethrough and bold: 

4.b.vi. Use light to initiate a chemical reaction to begin the next action.

4.b.xi. Use a thermal reaction a change in temperature which expands a gas to activate the next action.

4.f. Timing and scoring begins when a competitor pulls a magnet from the device and Timing stops when the beginning of the word “END” is heard or when 180.0 seconds elapses, whichever comes first. 

Mousetrap Vehicle - 10/18/17 (Division C) 3.e. should read, edits in bold: An approximately 1/4" diameter round dowel must be attached to the vehicle approximately perpendicular to the floor. The bottom of the dowel must be ≤ 1.0 cm from the track's surface and must be easily identified by the event supervisor.

Roller Coaster - 9/7/17 (Division B) 5.c. should read, edits in bold: Height Score = (100 - device height). The device height is measured in cm at the highest part of the device measured from the floor or the table (if used) rounded down to the nearest cm.