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Trial Events
Science Olympiad Rules Development Process
Science Olympiad is continually in the process of researching, developing and evaluating new events. We are looking for events, activities and projects that engage students in all aspects of the scientific endeavor while presenting them with exciting and challenging problems to solve and content to master. In an effort to ensure our events meet those standards, we have established a process that moves an event from a creative concept through a series of pilots and trials, with the ultimate goal of making it into rotation as a current event.
Science Olympiad encourages event submission from a wide range of stakeholders. Anyone interested in proposing a new or modified event must follow the process below; know in advance that this process is intended to be multi-step and multi-year so the events are of the highest caliber.
Stages of Science Olympiad Event Development
Creative Concepts - These events are off to a promising local start and would benefit from further student and event supervisor feedback before being considered a Promising Pilot.
Promising Pilots - These events have been successfully piloted in at least two states and would benefit from further student and event supervisor feedback before being considered a Featured Trial.
Featured Trials - These events have been successfully piloted in two or more states and evaluations have been submitted and reviewed. These events still need additional student and event supervisor evaluation before being considered a Current Event. Featured Trials should ideally be run in at least five states before becoming a Current Event.
Current Events - These events are in the current year's rotation in either Division B or Division C and have met the criteria of a successful event.
New Event Submissions
Science Olympiad is always interested in considering new events for our National Competition. We seek authors willing to create specific events with the intent to champion them through the process from a New Idea > Creative Concept > Promising Pilot > Featured Trial > Current Event. This not only requires following the steps below but also being prepared to provide workshop presentations, student/coach resources and submit evaluations.
To submit a new event please follow the process below:
- If you have a new idea to propose, first determine if an event already exists by reviewing the Event History Chart, the current list of Event Descriptions, and the events in development listed below.
- The next step is to format the proposed idea into an event rule using the Rules Template. Include the author's name and email (and the date/tournament site where the event will be run). Submit the Rule to the Science Olympiad National Office and the director (Choose from Contact List) who has agreed to run the event at an invitational, regional or state tournament. We will keep a record of events that have been successfully run in each state.
- After successfully running a proposed event, submit the online Participant Evaluation and online Supervisors Evaluation and any rules edits to the Science Olympiad National Office where it will be reviewed in conjunction with Rules Chairs and Committees. Your Creative Concept will be evaluated to move up the chain to a Promising Pilot.
- After two or more other states have successfully tried a Promising Pilot and have submitted Evaluations, the Science Olympiad National Office will determine, in conjunction with Rules Chairs and Committees, if the event is a Featured Trial that even more states should be encouraged to try.
- Rules Chairs and Committees with Science Olympiad will determine the best placement for an event on one of the six Event Chart Timelines and submit chart recommendations for final review.
Note: At the National Tournament, Trial or Open House events will not count for team points and any team members (regular or alternate) can participate only once in each Trial or Open House event.
To ask questions about a specific Trial Event or to find out which events will be held at your tournament, contact your Regional or State Director. To Submit a National (only) Trial Event Question, click on the FAQs page and please submit them under Trial Events.
Featured Trials
These events have been successfully piloted in two or more states and evaluations have been submitted and reviewed. These events still need additional student and event supervisor evaluation before being considered a Current Event. Featured Trials should ideally be run in at least five states before becoming a Current Event. For 2021, the Trial Events below will be included in the official Rules Manual in addition to the 2020 Rules Replays. Certain events have archived event pages on this website, please see the links below. Official PDFs will appear below the week of 9/8/20; anyone can download a copy of the full event Rules Manuals here as of 9/8/20.
- Aerial Scramble - Divisions B/C
- Awesome Aquifers - Division B - Archived page
- Botany - Division B/C
- Codebusters - Division B
- Electric Wright Stuff - Divisions B/C
- Science Olympiad - Digital DVD Download of Electric Wright Stuff
- Environmental Chemistry - Division C - Archived page
- Home Horticulture - Divisions B/C
- Robot Tour - Division C
- Event Description PowerPoint (Updated 11/09/2020)
- Team Checklist (Updated 11/23/2020)
- Event Scoresheet (Updated 11/09/2020)
- Printable Event Tracks
- 8.5" x 11" Sheets with Assembly Lines (Updated 11/09/2020)
- 8.5" x 11" Sheets without Assembly Lines
- 11" x 17" Sheets
- 48" x 48" Single Sheet Full Size Track
- Solar Power - Divisions B/C
- Event Supervisor's Guide
- Solar Power Score Sheet (Updated 10/27/2020)
- Solar Power Team Checklist (Updated 10/27/2020)
- Solar Power Example Graph
- Solar Power Trial Event Digital Download DVD in the SO Store (combo pack with WiFi Lab)
- Storm the Castle - Division B - Archived page
- Storm the Castle Checklist (Updated 10/27/2020)
- Storm the Castle Energy Rule Clarification
- Storm the Castle Scoring Example
- Storm the Castle Scoresheet (Updated 10/27/2020)
- Trajectory - Division C - Archived page
- Trajectory Checklist (Updated 10/27/2020)
- Trajectory Scoring Example
- Trajectory Scoresheet (Updated 10/27/2020)
- WiFi Lab - Division C
- WiFi Lab Transmitter Guide
- WiFi Lab Score Sheet (Updated 10/27/2020)
- WiFi Lab Check List (Updated 10/27/2020)
- WiFi Lab Trial Event Digital Download DVD in the SO Store - new! (combo pack with Solar Power)
Promising Pilots
These events have been successfully piloted in at least two states and would benefit from further student and event supervisor feedback before being considered a Featured Trial.
- Code Analysis - Division C (2016 Virginia Version)
Creative Concepts
These events are off to a promising local start and would benefit from further student and event supervisor feedback before being considered a Promising Pilot.
- AgriBio - Divisions B/C (2021 Version)
- Amazing Mechatronics - Division B & Division C (2018 Versions)
- Chiropterology - Divisions B/C (2021 Version)
- Cybersecurity - Division C (2021 Version)
- Digital Structures - Divisions B/C (2021 Version)
- Experimental and Data Analysis - Divisions B/C (2021 Version)
- Helicopter - Divisions B/C (2021 Version)
- LEAF Challenge - Division C (2019 Version)
- Mystery Design - Division C (2016 Version)
- Solar Vehicle - Divisions B/C (2018 Version)
- Vehicle Design - Divisions B/C (2021 Version) Updated 10/01/2020
- Write It CAD It - Divisions B/C (2021 Version)
- Possible CAD Programs for Write It CAD It (Updated 10/21/2020)
Other Events
Can be used for Open House events or in states which like to hold a few extra events.
Autonomous Robot (2014 Maryland Version - a SumoBots revision)
- Catch It Drawing (PDF)
- Catch It Scoresheet (Word)
- Catch It Scoresheet Example (Word)
- Catch It Spreadsheet (Excel)
Geocaching (2016 Wisconsin Version)
Parasitology BC (2019 Version)
- Official List for Parasitology
Science Bowl (2019 Version)
Sumo-Bots (2010 Version)