Road Scholar

Welcome to Road Scholar! In this event, participants will answer interpretive questions that may use one or more state highway maps, USGS topographic maps, Internet-generated maps, a road atlas, or satellite/aerial images.

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.

Resources & Links

• Introduction to topographic maps video
• Introduction to magnetic declination video
• Recommended Road Scholar Equipment 
• Road Scholar Notes 
• Math In Road Scholar Handout 
• Sample Student Map Design Exercise
• Course Outline
• Contest Preparation
• USGS - Topographic Map Symbols
• USGS Map Locator
• USGS Teaching Resources

Science Olympiad Store Materials

• 2023 National Test Packet
• 2022 National Test Packet
• 2021 National Test Packet
• 2020 National Test Packet
• 2019 National Test Packet

Practice Problems & Tests

• New! Practice Test - 2023 Sierra Vista Invitational
• New! Practice Test - 2023 University of Michigan Invitational
• New! Practice Test - 2023 University of Chicago 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
• Practice Test - 2022 National Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 UChicago Invitational
• Practice Test - 2021 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2021 Troy High School Invitational
• Practice Test - 2021 BirdSO Invitational
• Competition Study Guide
  • Competition Study Guide (Answers)
• Sample Zombie Exercise
  • Zombie Introduction
  • Zombie Questions
  • Zombie Answer Sheets
  • Zombie Key
  • Zombie Coach Answers Part 1
  • Zombie Coach Answers Part 2
  • Zombie Map Scans 1-5
  • Zombie Map Scans 6-10
  • Zombie Map New Mexico
  • Zombie Map Washington

Event Supervisor Resources 

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

• Event Logistics Manual (Updated 12/02/22 to fix an error with regard to resources allowed for Environmental Chemistry)
• Event Supervisor Tips from 2020

Career Connections 

• CareerOneStop - Geographers Career Video
• CareerOneStop - Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Career Video
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook: Surveying and Mapping Technicians
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook: Cartographers and Photogrammetrists