Fermi Questions

Welcome to Fermi Questions! In this event, teams provide answers to a series of “Fermi Questions”; science related questions that seek fast, rough estimates of a quantity, which is either difficult or impossible to measure directly.

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. This event is generously supported by Ward's Science.

RESOURCES & LINKS

2012 Training Handout (Word)
2012 Training Powerpoint
University of Maryland Fermi Problems website

SO STORE MATERIALS

New! 2023 Fermi Questions Starter Pack
2020 National Test Packet - National Test from last time event was in rotation!
2019 National Test Packet

PRACTICE PROBLEMS & TESTS

New! Practice Test & Answer Key - 2023 Beachwood High School Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2023 Columbia University Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2023 University of Michigan Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2023 MIT Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2023 Northmont Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2023 Ohio State University Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2023 Carolina Science Olympiad Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2022 UT Austin Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2022 Rickards Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2022 Highlands Invitational
New! Practice Test - 2022 BullSO Invitational

EVENT SUPERVISOR RESOURCES

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

2023 Score sheet and and team checklist
Event Logistics Manual (Updated 12/02/22 to fix an error with regard to resources allowed for Environmental Chemistry)