The rules page for each event is very explicit about what students may and may not bring. Please read it carefully, as each event is different. For instance, some event allow student to bring a 3-ring binder filled with materials while others only allow them to bring one page of notes. Student may be penalized or disqualified if they bring supplies and equipment that are not allowed.

In addition to the event rules plage, please see the back of the rules manual for chemistry recommended lab equipment, types of calculators allowed, and eye protection guide. Other saftey equipment or clothing restrictions might be mentioned in each event's rule page.

Team not brining the items listed will be at a disadvantage. The Event Superviosr will not provide them.

The MSU Bookstoe is a possible source if items need to be purchased on tournament day.

If a school has only one team, then they can only enter each event once.

For example, a team of 15 students may not bring two bridges for the Bridge contest or have two pairs of students take the Forestry test. However, a school can have more than one team (we call it a varsity team and a JV team; other states call it Team A and Team B, or other terms). In that case, each of those teams may enter the individual events -- so in this example, the Varsity team can bring one bridge and the JV team can bring one bridge.

If a school has a varsity team and a JV team, students must be rostered on one or the other of the teams and stay there throughout the competition. In other words, a student may not compete in Astronomy on the varisty team and Forestry on the JV team.

Impound Block, or Impound is a period of time before the main competition period that is typically used to submit builds or devices for the competition. To impound a build, teams bring it to the competition location, check the device in by making sure it meets all rules specifications, and leave the device there until their designated time slot.

The purpose of impound is to ensure that devices are not modified after the beginning of the competition. In many events, target parameters are given, in which the competitor must modify their device on the spot to accommodate for this change. Thus, impound prohibits modifying the device out of competition, ensuring an equitable competition.

If not for impound, teams that compete later in the day would have more time to work on their device and modify it after they see other team's devices. Impound ensures that all teams are on an equal playing field.

--from Scioly.org/wiki

Trial events have not yet become part of the regular rotation of Science Olympiad events but are being tested by states and competitors. In Montana, students can earn a medal for competing in a trial event, but points for that event do not count toward the team trophy.

In Montana, alternates on a Science Olympiad team MAY compete in trial events. Learn more about alternates here.

Please see our events page for updates. As questions and clarifications come in, we will post them there. The event table has asterisks by events that have a question or clarification below. Please also check the National Science Olympiad website for any rules clarifications that come in after each year's rules manuals are printed.

 

See more FAQs on the National Science Olympiad page