Exploring the World of Science

Division C Rules Manual

Division C (Gr. 9-12)

SCIENCE OLYMPIA, INC. (Ç 2011

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SCIENCE OLYMPIA

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
DIVISION C RULES MANUAL
Table of Contents

Anatomy & Physiology. .................. ...... .... .... 1
Astronomy....... .............................................. 2
Chemistr Lab....................... ... .... ....... ........... 3
Disease Detectives ........................................ 4
Dynamic Planet.... ......................................... 5
Ecology ......................................................... 6
Experimental Design..................................... 7
Forensics ....................................................... 8
Fossils............................................................ 10
Helicopters................................................... 11
Microbe Mission.. ............... ................ ......... 13
Mission Possible...................... ..................... 14
Mousetrap Vehicle......................... ............... .16
Optics ............................................................18
Ornithology .................................................. .20
Remote Sensing....... ... ....... ...................... .... ..20
Protein Modeling................. ............ ........... ..21
Sounds of Music ......... ...... ............ ...... ........ ..22
Sumo Bots ...................................... .............. .24
Technical Problem Solving............................26
Towers...........................................................27
Wind Power ...................................................29
Write It Do It.......... ........................................31
General Rules/Tentative National Schedule ..32

· Please read the General Rules on the back inside cover - they apply to all events. Note: all changes are in bold.
· Coaches: Please remember to register early for the Science Olympiad Sumer Institute - sold out last year!
· Please visit the Science Olympiad web site: htt://ww.soinc.org for News, Clarifications, F AQs, Membership
Information, Team Size Requirements, New Store Items and other valuable information, tips and resources.

The sites for the upcoming Science Olympiad National Tournament are:
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, May 20-21,2011
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, May 18-19,2012
Wright State University, Dayton, OR, May 17-18,2013

Copyright (Ç 2011 Science Olympiad, Inc.

Science Olympiad, Inc. owns the intellectual propert rights to the contents of this resource. It may not be
reproduced in any form for other individuals or teams. It is meant for the sole use of the school or team that
purchased it. Teams that have paid Science Olympiad National dues and are registered with Science Olympiad,
Inc. may use ths resource for the puroses of preparig for and paricipating in events that are sanctioned by
Science Olympiad, Inc. Ths resource may not be placed on any website and no one may edit, post, republish, selll
these copyrghted materials by unegistered users is strctly forbidden.
rent, or otherwise sub-license them. Use of
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ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Read the General Rnles in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: This event encompasses the anatomy and physiology of the muscular, respiratory and
endocrine system.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 Minutes
2. EVENT PARAMETERS: Each participant must bring a writing implement and may bring a non-
programmable, non-graphing calculator. Each team may brig one 8.5" x 1 I" two-sided page of notes
that contain information in any form from any source.
3. THE COMPETITION: Students should know the basic anatomy and physiology of the muscular,
endocrine, and respiratory systems and how aging and specific diseases affect them. Process skills expected
may include data collection, making observations, inferences, predictions, calculations, analyses and
conclusions. The test may include various formats (e. g., timed stations, written test, PowerPoint slides,
anatomical specimens, etc.) for the following topics:
a. MUSCULAR SYSTEM - See ww.soinc.org for List of Skeletal Muscles. All levels should know:
i. The interaction of the skeletal and muscular systems to allow movement.
ii. Muscle fibers - the cellular and gross anatomy of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle & smooth muscle.
iii. Physiology of the skeletal muscle contraction system and the neuromuscular junction.
iv. How the skeletal muscles move bone, maintain postue, and produce heat.
v. Skeletal muscle actions - origin, insertion, interactions of different muscles.
vi. Location and identification of the major skeletal muscles of the body including origin, insertion, and
function. See ww.soinc.org for a list of the Major Skeletal Muscles.
vii. The effects of exercise on the cellular and gross anatomical strcture of the muscular system.
viii. Muscle and tendon injuries and their prevention (i.e., strains and sprains).
ix. The diseases on each level from the cell to the whole person as listed: Poliomyelitis, Muscular
Dystrophies, Myasthenia gravis, tetanus, myositis.
National Level Only: Kids of muscle contraction, Classes of muscle fibers and their functions,
Understand cardiac and smooth muscle roles in the body, Understand muscle sensory systems (e.g.
spindles and Golgi tendon organs). Additional diseases: Carpal Tunel Syndrome, Botulism,
Fibromyalgia, and Chronic fatigue syndrome, Treatments and/or prevention for all conditions listed above
(drgs, surgery, etc.), Role of the nervous system in muscle fuction.
b. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM -All levels should know:
i. The three classes of hormones - steroids, peptides, and amines
ii. Mechanisms of hormone action - water soluble vs. fat soluble
iii. Endocrine related problems - hypersecretion, hyposecretion
iv. Hormone producing glands, their hormones and the fuction of each
v. Understand disorders: diabetes melltus, hypoglycemia, Graves disease, goiter
National Level Only: Endocrine cycles and negative feedback, Autonomic nervous system control of
endocnne function, Additional Disorders: Cushing's Syndrome, Addison's Disease, and Myxedema,
Treatments and/or prevention for all conditions listed above (drgs, surgery, etc.).
c. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM All levels should know:
i. Anatomy of the Respiratory System - Principal organs, their strctue and fuction.
the Respiratory System

iv. Patterns of Breathing .

ii. Functions of

iii. Mechanisms of Pulmonary Ventilation ft'. . .

v. Measures of Pulmonary Ventilation
vi. Gas Exchange and Transport
vii. How exercise and high altitude affect the respiratory system
viii. Understand disorders: COPD, asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, sleep apnea
National Level Only:
ix. Additional diseases/disorders to know: tuberculosis, pulmonary edema, Pleurisy
x. Treatments and/or prevention for all conditions listed above (drgs, surgery, etc.)
xi. Blood chemistry and the respiratory rhythm
xii. Regulation of the Respiratory System
xiii. Abilty to read a spirogram as related to pulmonary ventiation
4. SCORING: Points are awarded for correct answers. Selected questions/free-response quality wil break ties.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the BiolEarth CD are available on
the Offcial Science Olympiad Store and Website at htt://ww.soinc.org
TilS EVENT is SPONSORED BY THE SOCIETY FOR NEUROSCIENCE (ww.sfn.org)

@2011-Cl
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SCIENCE
ASTRONOMY
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on ww.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of mathematics and
physics relating to galaxies.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXITE TIM: 50 miutes
2. EVENT PARTERS: Each team member is permtted to brig either a laptop computer or one 3-rig
binder (any size) containg inormation in an form from any source. The materials must be 3-hole punched
and inserted into the rings (notebook sleeves are allowable). Each team member is permitted to bring a
programmable calculator. No Internet access is allowed.
3. THE COMPETITION: Using information which may include H-R diagrams, spectra, light cures,
motions, distace equations and relationships, stellar magntudes and classification, multi-wavelength
imges, char, grphs, and antions, parcipants will be asked to complete activities which include the
following:

a. Use all available information to determne answers relating to quasars, AGNs, galaxy clusters and
groups of galaxies, including star formation, massive and supermassive black holes, galactic strcture,
globular clusters, Type Ia & Type II supernovae, eclipsing binares and X-ray binaries.
b. Use all available information, including Kepler's laws, to determine anwers relating to the orbital
motions of binaries; cosmological distance equations and the period-luminosity relationship (Cepheids
and RR Lyrae) to answer questions related to characteristics and distances of galaxies, Hubble's Law or
spectra to answer questions about Hubble's constant and the recessional velocities and distances of
galaxies.
c. Students will be asked to identify, be knowledgeable about, and answer questions relatig to the content
areas outlined above for the following Deep Sky Objects (DSOs): *Epsilon Aurgae, NGC 6240,
3C321, Cen A, Stephan's Quintet, MACSJ0717.5+3745, Bullet Cluster (IE 0657-56), Perseus A
(NGC 1275), SN 2006gy, SN 1996cr, NGC 4603, NGC 7771, NGC 2623, JKCS041, NGC 1068.
H2356-309 *Epsilon Aurgae is par of a nationwide observg capaign for 2010 and 2011, and will be
included in the Astronomy Event for 2011.
d. Competition may include one or more stations. Examples include sequencing images of galaxies by
distance or activity; placing images of different tyes of objects in the correct locations within galaxies;
matching images of light curves with the appropriate objects; using charts, data tables and/or graphs to
determine distances and calculate Hubble's constant; using graphing calculators to plot observational
data and calculate periodicity or distance.
4. SCORIG: All questions wil have been assigned a predetermined number of .*.
points. The highest score wins. Selected questions having differentiated . .'*
weights will be used to break ties. ~ *.'
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the
Astronomy CD Rev. 2011 are available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store
or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org
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National Science Education Standards: Science as Inquir, Content Stadard A: Use Technology and
Mathematics to Improve Investigations and Communications; Formulate and Revise Scientific Explanation
and Models using Logic and Evidence; Ear and Space Science, Content Standard D: The Origin and
Evolution of the Universe (Grades 9-12).

TIDS EVENT is SPONSORED BY: Chandra Education and Public Outreach Offce for the Chandra X-Ray Observatory

@2011-C2
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CHEMISTRY LAB
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams will complete one or more tasks and answer a series of questions involving the
science processes of chemistr focused in the areas of aqueous solutions and oxidation/reduction.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: #4 APPROX. TIME: 50 min.
2. EVENT PARETERS:

a. Students: must bring goggles and a writing implement and may bring a oon-
programmable, non-graphing calculator, but no reference materials are allowed.
b. Supervisors: must provide whatever other reagents/glassware are appropriate for the tasks students are
asked to do (e.g., Periodic Table, table of standard reduction potentials, any constants needed, etc.)
c. Safety Requirements: Students must wear the following or they will not be allowed to participate:
closed-toed shoes, ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles (see htt://soinc.org), pants or skir
that cover the legs to the ankles, and a long sleeved shirt that reaches the wrists, and a chemical apron
or a lab coat that reaches the knees. Chemical gloves are optionaL. Students who unsafely remove their
safety clothing/goggles or are observed handling any of the material or equipment in a hazardous/unsafe
manner (e.g., tasting or touching chemicals or flushing solids down a drain and not rinsing them into a
designated waste container provided by the supervisor) will be disqualified from the event.
3. THE COMPETITION: The competition wil consist of a series of tasks similar to those in first year high
school courses. These tasks could include hands-on activities, questions about each topic, interpretation of
experimental data (graphs, diagrams, etc.), and/or observation of an experiment set up & ruing.
Supervisors are encouraged to use computer or calculators with sensors/probes. Students may be asked to
collect data using probeware that has been set-up & demonstrated by the Supervisor. Or the supervisor may
provide students with data sets collected by such sensors/probes following demonstration of the data
collection. Data wil be presented in a tabular and/or graphic format & students wil be expected to interpret
the data. Students should be aware that nomenclature, formula writing, & stoichiometry are essential tools of
chemistr & may always be included in the event. Stoichiometr includes mole conversions & percentage
yield. For puroses of nomenclatue & formula writing, students are expected to know the symbols &
charges for the following ions: nitrate, carbonate, phosphate, acetate, sulfate, ammonium, bicarbonate, &
hydroxide. Students should know how to use the "ite" form of an ion (one less oxygen than the "ate" form).
Students should be able to use the periodic table to obtain the charge for monatomic ions (e.g., Na+, S2-).
4. SAMPLE QUESTIONS
a. Aqueous Solutions: Students wil demonstrate an understanding of the principals & properties of aqueous
solutions. They must be able to calculate solution concentrations given quantities of solute & solvent, &
calculate quantities of material required to produce a solution of specified concentration. Molarity,
molality, mass percentage, & parts per milion may be required. At the state & national levels,
conversions between concentration units may be required. Tasks wil be chosen from the following: 1)
Use density to experimentally determne the concentration of a solution. 2) Determine solution
concentration using a series of standard absorbencies & Beer's Law. 3) Use freezing point depression to
determne the molar mass of a solute. 4) Use titration to determine an unown concentration. 5) Identify
& explain factors that effect solution formation or constrct a solubility cure. 6) Determine whether a
solution is satuated, unsaturated or supersatuated.
b. Oxidationleduction: Students must be able to write oxidation & reduction half reactions, assign
oxidation numbers, balance redox reactions in neutral, acidic, & basic solutions, & calculate standard cell
potentials using a table of standard reduction potentials. Tasks will be chosen from the following 1) Use a
sequence of redox reactions to constrct an activity series. 2) Constrct a simple voltaic cell & measure
its potentiaL. 3) Stoichiometr & electrochemical processes (such as electrochemical deposition). 4)
Constrct simple electrolytic cells. 5) At state & national levels, knowledge of fuel cells, knowledge &
application of the Nernst equation & common storage batteries may be included.
5. SCORIG: OxidationlReduction: 50% & Aqueous Solutions: 50%. Time may be limted at each task, but
wil not be used as a tiebreaker or for scoring. All ties will be broken by selected questions chosen by the
supervisor that mayor may not be identified to the students.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Chemlhy Sci CD Rev.
2011 are available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

(Ç2011-C3
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s~~ DISEASE DETECTIVES
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Students wil use their investigative skills in the scientific study of disease, injury, health,
and disability in populations or groups of people with a focus on food borne ilness.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes.
2. EVENT PARAMETERS: Each participant must bring a writing implement and may bring a non-
programmable, non-graphing calculator. Each team may bring one 8.5" x 11" two-sided page of notes
that contain information in any form from any source.
3. THE COMPETITION: Sample Problems and Resources may be found at htt://ww.soinc.org
a. This event combines a basic understanding of biological and physical agents that cause disease with an
ability to analyze, interpret, evaluate and draw conclusions from simple data and communicate results to
peers. Students should be able to distinguish between infectious and non-infectious health burdens.
b. A broad definition of health wil be used for this event. Potential topics include health as well as ilness

i. Datagraphic
collection
displays of data ~
(mental, physical, infectious, chronic, environmental, societal, genetic, injuries and health behaviors).
c. This event wil include questions based on: aJ
ii. Creating _J
iii. Interpreting trends and patterns of epidemiologic data
iv. Communicating results
d. Students wil be presented with one or more descriptions of public health problems such as an outbreak
of food poisoning, a cluster of cases of West Nile encephalitis or state data on bicycle injuries.
e. Based on these descriptions, they wil be expected to do the following:
i. Generate hypotheses and recognize various fundamental study designs.
ii. Evaluate the data by calculating and comparing simple rates and proportions.
iii. Identify patterns, trends and possible modes of transmission, sources or risk factors.
iv. Recognize factors such as study designiases that influence results (more for Div. C-less for Div. B).
v. Propose interventions based on promoting positive health behaviors, eliminating or reducing risks of
environmental exposures, or disrupting clearly identifiable chains of transmission.
vi. Translate results/findigs into a public health/prevention message for identified populations at risk.
f. They wil also be expected to:
i. Define basic epidemiological and public health terms (e.g., outbreak, epidemic, pandemic,
surveilance, risk, vector, fomite, zoonosis, etc.).
ii. Recognize various categories of disease causing agents & give examples of illnesses caused by each.
iii. Recognze and understand differences between the major groups of infectious agents (e.g., viruses,
bacteria, protistans, fungi and animals).
iv. Recognize examples of various epidemiologic and public health phenomena such as types of
outbreaks and modes of transmission.
g. Calculations and mathematical manipulations should be part of the competition. Data may be contrved
or modified to make it more appropriate for this age group as long as it does not radically alter results or
interpretation.
h. Process skills may include hypothesis, observations, inferences, predictions, variable analysis, data
analysis, calculations, and conclusions.
1. The level of questioning for Division B and Division C competitions should reflect the age-
appropriateness for the two groups.
J. The event format may be exam-based, station-based or a combination of both.
4. SCORING:
a. Points will be assigned to the various questions and problems. Both the natue of the questions and
scoring rubric should emphasize an understanding that is broad and basic rather than detailed and
advanced.
b. Depending on the problem, scoring may be based on a combination of answers, including graphs/charts,
explanations, analysis, calculations, and closed-ended responses to specific questions.
c. Points should be awarded for both quality and accuracy of answers, the quality of supportg reasoning,
and the use of proper scientific methods.
d. Highest number of points wil determe the winner. Selected questions may be used as tiebreakers.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Disease Detective CD are
available at htt://ww.soinc.org.
THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AN PREVENTION
@2011.C4
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S~4i DYNAMIC PLANET
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Students wil use process skills to complete tasks related to Earth's fresh waters.

A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes

2. EVENT PARATERS: Each team may bring four 8.5" x 11" double-sided page of notes containing
information in any form from any source and bring up to two non-graphing calculators.

3. THE COMPETITION: Participants wil be presented with one or more tasks, many requiring the use of
process skills (i.e., observing, classifying, measuring, inferring, predicting, communicating, and using
number relationships) from the following topics:
a. Interpretation of fresh water features shown on USGS topographic maps
b. Stream drainage systems: drainage patterns, main channel, tributaries, V-shaped valleys, watersheds
c. Channel types: braided, meandering, straight
d. Sediment: weathering, erosion, forms and sizes, transporttion, deposition
e. River valley forms and processes: geology, gradient, base level, floodplain featues, dynamic equilibrium,
nick points, waterfalls, stream capture, deltas and fans
f. Perennial and intermittent stream flow, stream gauging and monitoring, stream flow calculations,
discharge, load, floods, recurence intervals, Chezy and Manning equations (Division Conly)
g. Groundwater: zone of aeration, zone of satuation, water table, porosity, permeability, aquifers, confining
beds, hydraulic gradient, water table contour lines, flow lines, capilarity, recharge and discharge
h. Karst features: sinkoles, solution valleys, springs, disappearing streams, caves
1. Lake formation and tyes: faulting, rifting, volcanic action, glaciation, dammg of rivers, changes over
time
J. Lake features: inflow and outflow, physical and chemical properties, stratification, shorelines, waves
k. Wetlands: bogs and marshes, interactions between surface and groundwater
1. Destruction/ffects of land use changes, dams and levees:
sedimentation, down-cutting, diversion of water, flooding,
ecological changes
m. Hydrologic cycle and water budgets: precipitation, ruoff,
evaporation
n. Pollution: tyes, sources, transport

4. REPRESENTATIV TASKS:
a. Analyze and interpret featues and actions of a stream or river appearing on a topographic map including
watershed boundaries, elevation, gradient, direction of flow, drainage pattern, valley shapes, erosional
landscapes, and depositional featues
b. Constrct a water table contour map and indicate the direction of groundwater movement
c. Analyze data on the thermal strctue of a lake and determine how the stratification changes seasonally

5. SCORIG: Points wil be awarded for the quality and accuracy of responses. Ties wil be broken by the
accuracy and/or quality of answers to pre-selected questions.

Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Bio/Earth CD are available
on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org.

@2011-C5
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S~~4i ECOLOGY
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

i. DESCRIPTION: Students wil answer questions involving content knowledge and process skils in the area
of ecology and adaptations in featured North American biomes.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 Minutes
2. EVENT PARTERS: Each participant must bring a writing
implement and may bring a non-programmable, non-graphing
calculator. Each team may bring one 8.5" x II" two-sided page of
notes that contain information in any form from any source.

3. THE COMPETITION:
a. The event wil emphasize these process skills as they apply to ecology: defining variables; analyzing
data from graphs and tables; presenting data in graphs and tables; forming hypotheses; making
calculations and predictions.
b. Questions wil deal with the following ecological principles: Energy flow through food webs and trophic
pyramids including quantitative analysis of data; nutrent cycling, community interactions; population
dynamics including density dependent/independent limiting factors, carring capacity, doubling time,
exponential/logistical growth and how to calculate population growth; extinction, selection and
migration; human impact upon ecosystems (climate change, invasive species, acid rain, erosion,
pollution). In addition, students should be familiar with the pros and cons ofusing alternative energy and
its effect on the environment. If stations are used, students must spend the same amount of time at each
station. Division C: State and Nationals only: life history strategies (e.g., age strctue, survival
curves, life tables, succession, Rand K strategies).
c. Approximately 50% of the questions should specifically address taiga ecology and tundra ecology. The
remainder of the questions will cover general ecological principles. At the regional and state level, the
general ecological principles should focus on local and regional ecology. In each subsequent year,
one biome wil remain and one replaced by the next biome on the list: freshwater lakes and streams,
marine (including estuares), forests, deserts, grasslands, taiga, tundra.
4. SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

Division B:
a. From the description of community interactions, create a food web. Then predict what would happen to
the food web if the primary producers were greatly reduced in number by a disease.
b. Given a description of the interaction between two species, identify the tye of community interaction.
c. Provide three reasons how a tudra is different than a taiga.
d. Compare a tundra with a taiga. What kinds of adaptations may be common in both environments? How
are the organisms in each environment adapted for the rates of nutrient recycling that you would expect
to find?

Division C:
e. Given a complex food web, create a trophic pyramid and determne the amount of energy in each level
when given a quantity of energy enterig the producer leveL.
f. Students are given a graph depicting the changes in two interacting populations of different species in a
habitat. Predict which population is the predator and which is the prey. Give reasons for your choices.
g. Determe the population growt rate for an area given r (rate of increase) and N (number of
individuals ).
h. Students are given three age strctues and asked to determne which population has the highest birh
rate, death rate, doubling time, and mean age.

5. SCORIG: Questions wil be assigned point values. Students wil be raned from highest to lowest score.
Ties wil be broken by pre-determined tiebreaker questions.

Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the BiolEarth CD are available
on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org.

@2011-C6
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sq~~4i EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: This event wil determine a team's ability to design, conduct, and report the findings of an
experiment actually conducted on site.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 3 EYE PROTECTION: #4 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes
2. EVENT PARAMETERS: Students must bring ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles and a
wrting instrent(s). Students may also bring a timepiece, a ruler, and a non-programmable calculator.
Chemicals that require other safety clothing will not be used.
3. THE COMPETITION:
a. Supervisors must provide teams with identical sets of materials at a distribution center or in a container.
The materials wil be listed on the board or placed on a card for each team. If provided, both the card and
the container wil be considered part of the materials. The identity of the materials is to remain unown
until the start of this event and wil be the same for each team. The students must use at least two of the
provided materials to design and conduct an experiment.
b. The supervisor must assign a question/topic area that determines the natue of the experiment. The
assigned question/topic area should be the same for all teams and allow students to conduct experiments
involving relationships between independent and dependent variables (like height vs. distance).
c. The students wil be given an outline (patterned after the scoring rubric) to follow when
recording/reporting their experiment with additional paper to record data, graphs and procedures.
d. When the teams are finished, all materials must be returned to the event supervisor along with all written
materials. The content of the report must be clearly stated and legible.
4. SCORING: Scoring of the event wil be done using the scoring rubric at the bottom of this page. Zero points
wil be given for an inappropriate or no response. Points wil be awarded dependent upon the completeness
of the response. Ties wil be broken by comparig the point totals in the scoring areas in the following order:
Total points for I-Variables, 2-Procedure, 3-Analysis of Results, 4-Graph, 5-Data Table. Any team not
following proper safety procedures wil be asked to leave the room and wil be disqualified from the event.
Any student not addressing the assigned question or topic area wil be ranked behind those who do, because
not conducting an experiment is a violation of the spirit of the event.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN RUBRICIRPORTING FORM
a. Statement of Problem: Experiental Question (2 Points)
b. Hypothesis: Includig prior knowledge that contrbuted to hypothesis (4 Points)
c. Varables:
i. Constats: (Controlled Varables) Factors that are purosefully kept the same (4 Points)
ii. Independent Varable: Factor being manpulated (3 Points)
iii. Dependent Varable: Factor being measured which responds (3 Points)
d. Experiental Control: (Stadad of Comparson) (2 Points)
e. Materials (3 Points)
f. Procedure: Includig Diagr (6 Points)
g. Qualitative Observations Dug Experient & Sumar of Results: (4 Pt)
h. Data Table: Includig Use of Signcant Figues for Division C (6 Points)
1. Grph(s): (6 Points)
J. Stastics: Div. B: Average (mean), median mode, rage, or drwn in lie of best-fit (2 Points).
Div. C all ofB: + stadad deviation and any other relevant statistics tht team choose (4 Points).
k. Analysis of Results: Interpretation (4 Points)
1. Possible Experiental Errors includig identified human errors (3 Points)
m. Conclusion: Include why your results did or did not support the hypothesis: (4 Points)
n. Recommendations for Furer Experientation Based on Your Data & Practical Applications: (4 Points)
Hits: a Statement of problem should not have a yes or no anwer. It should be specific to the experient being
conducted and is not the same as the assigned topic area. b. Experients should consist of repeated trals. c. The
varables should be operationally defied. d. Experients should be simple and have only one independent and one
dependent varable.

Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Experiental Design Guide
or CD are available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C7
 FORENSICS
S6~ÀD
\~sàtJiia~/ Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Given a scenario and some possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. These
tests, along with other evidence or test results will be used to solve a crime.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: #4 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes
2. EVENT PARAMETERS:
a. Students may bring only these items:
i. test tubes and test tube holders or any x. hand lens
devices in which they can perform the tests XL. writing instrments
u. droppers xu. a pencil and ruler (for chromatograms)
uI. funnel(s) &/or filter paper xll. paper towels
iv. pH or litmus paper xiv. metal tongs
v. spatulas, plastic spoons, &/or stirrng rods, xv. Each team may bring one 8.5" x 1 i" two-
Vi. 9 volt conductivity tester (no testers wil be sided page of notes containing information
allowed that run on AC current) in any form from any source.
vu. thermometer xvi. a non-programmable calculator
vll. flame test equipment (nichrome wire, cobalt Note: Students not bringing these items wil be at
blue glass, etc.) a disadvantage. The event supervisor wil not
ix. slides & cover slips provide them.

b. Supervisor will provide:

i. iodine reagent (12 dissolved in Kl solution) The supervsor may provide:
u. 2M HCl x. other equipment (e.g., a microscope, probes,
ll. 2MNaOH etc.) or
iV. Benedict's solution Xl. candle & matches if fibers given, or
v. a hot water bath xu. differential density solutions or other
VI. a Bunsen burer or equivalent BTU heat source method of determining density of
to perform flame tests polymers if plastics given or
vu. a waste container XUI. reagents to perform other tests.
vll. chromatography materials - e.g., beakers, Petr
dishes, etc.
ix. a wash bottle with distiled water

c. Safety Requirements: Students must wear the following or they will not be allowed to participate:
closed-toed shoes, ANSI 287 indirect vent chemical splash goggles (see htt://soinc.org), pants or skirts
that cover the legs to the ankles, and a long sleeved shirt that reaches the wrists, and a chemical apron
or a lab coat that reaches the knees. Chemical gloves are optionaL. Students who unsafely remove their
safety clothing/goggles or are observed handling any of the material or equipment in a hazardous/unsafe
manner (e.g., tasting or touching chemicals or flushing solids down a drain and not rinsing them into a
designated waste container provided by the supervisor) will be disqualified from the event.
3. THE COMPETITION:

Level # Part a sam les # Part b sam les

Re 'onal 3-8 5-9
State 6-10 6-12
National 8-12 10-18

a. Qualitative Analysis: Substances to identify: sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen
carbonate, sodium carbonate, lithium chloride, potassium cWoride, calcium nitrate, calcium sulfate,
calcium carbonate, cornstarch, glucose, sucrose, magnesium sulfate, boric acid, and ammonium chloride
(there wil be no mixtues). All teams will have the same set of solids to identify.

(Q2011-C8
 ~ FORENSICS (CONT.)
SCIENCEoL YMPIA
\~~/ Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

b. Polymers: Students may be asked to identify:

i. PETE, HOPE, non-expanded PS, LDPE, PP, PVC, PMMA, PC (Students may not perform any bum
tests on these polymers. Bum test results on these plastics may be provided by the event supervisor).
11. cotton, wool, silk, linen, nylon, spandex, polyester (Burn tests wil be permitted on the fibers)
111. human, dog, cat, bat, and horse hair. (Students wil need to know hair structure including medulla,
cortex, cuticle, and root.)
c. Chromatography/Spectroscopy: Students wil be expected to separate components using paper
chromatography, TLC, and/or analyze mass spectra. Students may be expected to measure RfS.
d. Crime Scene Physical Evidence:
i. Fingerprint Analysis: Students may be expected to know the 8 NCIC classifications (arch, tented
arch, radial loop, ulnar loop, plain whorl, central pocket whorl, accidental, and double loop). Students
should also be familiar with the common fingerprint development techniques of dusting, iodine
fuming, ninhydrn, and cyanoacrylate fuming. Students should understand terminology such as
bifucation, ridges, island, enclosure, loop, whorl, and arch. Students should be able to answer
questions about skin layers and how fingerprints are formed. Students may be asked questions on the
different methods of detecting fingerprints and the chemistry behind each of these methods.
11. DNA: Students may be asked to compare DNA chromatograms/electropherograms from materials
found at the scene to those of the suspects. Students wil be expected to know how DNA is copied.
See htt://nobelprize.org/ educational_games/ chemistr/pcr/index.html
111. Glass analysis: Students may be asked to use index of refraction to determine the tye of a glass
found broken at a crime scene. They may be asked to analyze which hole or fractures occurred before
others based on a piece of glass available for examination or a picture of a piece of glass.
iv. Entomology: Students may be asked to identify how long an animal has been dead based on the type
of insects found on the body at the scene.
v. Spatters: Students may be asked to analyze actual spatters or photographs of spatters to determine
the angle and velocity with which the liquid approached the solid object bearig the spatter & the
spatter origin direction.
Vi. Seeds and Pollen: Students may be asked to compare pictues of seeds/pollen found at the scene with
either seeds/pollen found on the suspects or seeds/pollen from different countr regions.
V11. Tracks and Soil: Students may be asked to match tire tracks or footprints found at the scene to tires
or shoes of the suspects. Students may be given the composition of soil found at the scene or on the
suspects and asked to determne if this implicates any of the suspects.
viii. Blood: Students may be asked to identify the ABO blood type using artificial blood (event supervisor
required to provide instrctions on how the tying system works) or students may be asked to
identify if blood sample, either prepared microscope slide or pictures of microscope slide is human,
avian, mammalian, or reptilian/amphibian.
ix. Bullet striations: Students may be asked to match the striations on bullets or casings found at the
crime scene and fired from a given gun.
e. Analysis of the Crime: Students will be asked to write an analysis of the crime scene explaining not only
which pieces of evidence implicate which suspect and why the suspect(s) was (were) chosen as the
culprit(s), but also why the other suspects were not chosen. They wil also answer any
other crime scene analysis questions posed by the event supervisor.
f. The collected evidence and other data given could be used in a mock crime scene.
4. SCORIG: Team with the highest score wis. Time wil not be used for scoring. The score
wil be composed of the following elements (percentages given are approximate):
a. Part 3.a. 20%, Par 3.b. 20%, Part 3.c. 15%, Part 3.d. 15%, and 3.e. 30%.
b. Tiebreaker: Ties wil be broken by the highest score on the analysis of the crime scene, which includes the
reasons why certin suspects have been elimnated or others remain in the pool of possible criminals.
c. A lO% penalty may be given if the area is not cleaned up as designated by the event supervisor.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources includig the Forensics CD are available
on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org
TilS EVENT is SPONSORED BY FOX BROADCASTING AND "FRIGE"
@2011-C9
 ~
\~/
SCIENCEoL YMPIA
FOSSILS
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every evenL

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams wil demonstrate their knowledge of ancient life by completing selected taks at a
series of stations. Emphasis will be on fossil identification and ability to answer questions about
classification, habitat, ecologic relationships, behaviors and the use of fossils to date and correlate rock units.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXITE TIME: 50 miutes
2. EVENT PARTERS: Each team may brig only one magnfying glass; one published field guide that
they may tab and write in and one 3-ring binder (any size) containing inormation in any form from any
source. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inerted into the rigs (sheet protectors are allowed).
3. THE COMPETITION: Emphasis will be placed upon tak-oriented activities. Paricipants will move from
station to station, with the length of time at each station predetermined and announced by the event
supervsor. Participants are not permtted to retu to stations, but may change or add information to their
origial responses while at other stations. Identication wi be lited to species on the list, but other
species may be used to ilustrate key concepts. The questions will be chosen from the following topics:
a Conditions required for a plant or an anal to become fossilized.
b. Common modes of preservation: permeralization, petrfaction/petrfication/silicification, mieral
replacement, cast/mold, imprit, actul remain. Uncommon modes of preservation include
encasement in amber/copal, mumfication, freezing, entrapment in ta/asphalt.
c. Relative datig: law of superposition, original horiontality, cross cutting relationships, unconformities
(bured erosion suraces).
d Absolute datig: radiometrc datig, half-life, carbon datig, volcanc ash layer.
e. Geologic Time Scale
f Index Fossil
g. Fossil bearg sedientary rocks: limestone, shale, sandstone,
mudstone, coquina, etc.
h. Modes of life: fiter feeder, predator, scavenger, deposit feeder,
benthic, pelagic, etc.
i. Environments: mare, terrestral, fresh water, etc.
j. Mineral and organic components of skeletons, shells, etc: (calcite, aragonite, silica, chiti)
k. Taxonomic hierarchy: kigdom, phylum class, order, family, genus, species
L Adaptations and morphologic featues of major fossils groups (i.e., Trilobites-eompound eye on
Phacops; lack of eyes on Crytolithus; body part-eephalon, thorax, pygidium)
m. hnportt paleontological events and discoveries and their signficance e.g., Ediacaran fossils,
Lagerstätten, Burgess Shale, Peran extinction, diosaurs with feathers from Chia, Cretaceous
extinction, Pleistocene Ice Age.
4. REPRESENTATIV STATION TASKS: Possible questions, tasks, stations and/or examples:
a. Identify each fossil and record its mode of preservation.
b. Identi each diosaur (model/image) by name. Record each specimen's order (Saurschia or
Omithschia) and the period(s) in which it lived (Triassic, Jurassic, or Cretaceous).
c. Identify each index fossil by its inormal name and record the geologic period(s) durg which it
thrved.
d. Order each specimen according to age, oldest to most recent. Geologic Time Char provided.
e. Based on the fossil and rock associations, determe the environment in which the organism lived.
£ Constrct a range char and determe the age of the fossil assemblage.
5. SCORIG: Points wil be awarded for the quality and accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the
accurcy and/or quality of responses to several pre-identifed questions.
Recommended Resources: All reference and trainng resources including the Smithsoiuan Fossil
Handbook and the Fossil CD are available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at
htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C10
 ~
ScIENCEoLYMIA
\~S;mJit¿'/
n.
HELICOPTERS
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams constrct and test free flight rubber-powered helicopters prior to the tournament to
achieve maximum flight times.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 IMPOUND: motors only at check-in TIME: 15 minutes
2. CONSTRUCTION PARAMETERS:
a. DESIGN: Helicopters may be constructed from published planes), commercial kits, and/or a student's
design.
b. MATERIALS: The functional components (rotors, rotor blades, vertical stabilizing surfaces, and motor
stick) of the helicopter must be constructed only from wood, paper, plastic fim covering, and glue. The
functional components must not be constructed from rigid plastic. The functional components may
be attched to each other using tape, thread, music wire, malleable wire, paper, metal or plastic tubes,
and/or rubber bands. The helicopter may be braced with string of any base materiaL. Kits must not
contain any pre-glued joints or pre-covered surfaces. Plastic or rubber o-rings may be used to attach the
motor to the helicopter rotor(s).
c. MASS: Total mass of the helicopter throughout the flight, excluding the rubber motor, must be 4.0
grams or more.
d. ROTORS: Rotors are defined as surfaces that contribute lift by rotating on a common path around
a vertical axis. The helicopter may use up to three fixed pitch rotors, not exceeding a maximum
diameter of 40.0 cm. There is no maximum limit on the number of blades or their chord. There must not
be any other lifting surfaces.
e. ROTOR CONSTRUCTION: Competitors must construct the rotors themselves. Commercially
available rotors or propellers must not be used in whole or part. Rotor thrst bearings may be
commercially available items.
f. POWER: The helicopter must be powered by rubber motor(s) not exceeding a total mass of 2.0 g,
including any attchments such as o-rings. Motor(s) must be removable from the helicopter for
check-in. The motor(s) must be massed separately from the helicopter. Mòtors may be lubricated before
and/or after check-in. Motors wil be massed at check-in, and officials wil impound qualified motors.
Qualified motors wil be made available to the team for offcial flghts.
g. MAG: Each helicopter must be labeled so the Event Supervisor can easily identify to which team
it belongs.

3. THE COMPETITION:
a. The event must be held indoors. Tournament officials must announce the room dimensions
(approximate length, width and ceiling height) in advance of the competition. Tournament offcials and
the Event Supervisor are urged to minimize the effects of environmental factors such as air curents
(e.g., doors, fans).
b. Once competitors enter the cordoned off competition area to trim, practice, or compete, they must not
receive outside assistance, materials, or communcation. Teams violating this rule wil be ranked below
all other teams. There must be a separate area designated for spectators.
c. Each team must present a flght log of recorded data during inspection. Data must include at least 6
parameters for at least 10 test flghts prior to the competition. The required parameters are: I) motor size
before widup, 2) number of tus on the motor at launch, 3) flight time. The team must choose 3
additional data parameters beyond those required, (e.g. turns remaining after landing, estimated/recorded
peak flght height, the torque at launch).
d. At the Event Supervisor's discretion, practice flights may occur throughout the event but must yield to
any offcial flight. Multiple practice flghts may occur at the same time. No trm (practice) flights wil be
permtted in the last half-hour of the event, except for teams that declare a trim flght during their 8-
minute flght period.

@2011-Cll
 ~
see~4\ HELICOPTERS (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on ww.soinc.org as they apply to every evenL

e. A self-check inspection station may be made available to competitors for checking their helicopters prior
to being checked by the Event Supervisor.
f. Competitors may use any tye of winder, but electricity may not be available.
g. Team members must present their event materials (helicopter(s), motor(s), and log) for inspection
immediately prior to a team's 2 offcial flghts. Qualified motors must be held by the offcial timer
and dispensed at the team's choosing during the team's offcial flghts. Event supervisors are
strongly urged to return flght logs after inspection. Timers must follow and observe teams as they
are winding their motors.
h. Teams may make up to a total of 2 official flghts using 1 or 2 helicopters.
1. Teams wil be given an 8-minute "Flight Period," starting when their first
flght after check-in¡(trim or offcial) begins. Any flight begining within
the 8-minute period will be permitted to fly to completion. Competitors
may make adjustments/repairs/trim flghts and qualify additional motors
durig their offcial 8-minute period. Teams must declare before any
launches during their flight period whether it is an offcial flight or trm
flght. If teams do not indicate the flght tye before launch, it must be
considered officiaL. Teams must not be given extra time to recover or
repair their helicopter(s).
j. The team may select any previously approved motors held by the
timer for each offcial flght.
k. The timing official wil measure and record the "Time Aloft" in hundredths of a second for each flght.
Time Aloft for each flght starts when the helicopter leaves the competitor's hand and stops when any
part of the helicopter touches the floor or the rotors no longer support the weight of the helicopter
(such as the helicopter landing on a girder or basketball hoop).
1. The Event Supervisor may permit other official flghts during the flght of
another team's helicopter.
m. Competitors must not steer the helicopter during flight. In the unlikely event of a collision with another
helicopter, a team may elect a re-flght. The decision to re-fly may be made after the helicopter lands.
The eight-minute period does not apply to such a flight.

4. SCORIG: The base score is the team's longest single flght time. Ties wil be broken by the longest non-
scored flight time.
a. Teams with incomplete flght logs must have 10% of their flght time deducted from each flight.
b. Teams without flight logs must have 30% of their flight time deducted from each flght.
c. Teams that violate a rule under "CONSTRUCTION" or "THE COMPETITION" that does not have a
specific penalty must be ranked after all teams that do not violate those rules.

Recommended Resurces: All reference and training resources including the Helicopters DVD are
available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

National Science Education Standard: Content Standard E: All students should develop abilities of
technological design and understandings about science and technology.
THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS
htt://ww.modelaircraft.org/

~ .i

\; @2011-C12
~
~~~ MICROBE MISSION
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on ww.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams wil answer questions, solve problems, and analyze data pertaining to microbes.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: #4 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 Minutes
2. EVENT PARAETERS: Each participant must bring Z87 chemical splash goggles and a writing
implement and may bring a non-programmable, non-graphing calculator. Each team may bring one 8.5" x
11" two-sided page of notes that contain information in any form from any source.

3. THE COMPETITION: The event may be run as timed stations. Students will be given questions pertaining
to different types of microbes. Some questions/stations may involve the actual use of a microscope. If no
microscopes are available, high quality photographs with appropriate scales may be used instead. Most
questions should emphasize age/division appropriate process skills such as: data interpretation from graphs
and tables, use of a dichotomous key, drawing conclusions, calculations, metric conversions, determning
actual size of the organism, inferences, and making observations. Students may be asked to perform simple
laboratory procedures as measurements or using probes (sufficient information wil be provided at the
station). Possible live specimens may include only baker's yeast, ciliates, amoebae, lichens, green algae, and
diatoms. Pictues & prepared slides are appropriate for all microbial types. The content areas may include:

Regional and State Tournaments (B & C)

a. Different kinds of microscopes and their uses. Name & function of the light microscope parts, principles
of microscopy and magnification determnation.
b. Recognition and function of nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplasts, and their possible microbial origin.
c. Differences (e.g., size, environment, strcture, prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic, etc.) among prions, virses,
bacteria, Archaea, fugi, and algal and animal like protists.
d. Roles of microbes in commercial production, spoilage, preservation & decomposition of various foods.
e. Diseases caused by different kind of microbes and the treatment/prevention of these diseases.
f. Estimationlcalculation of size based on scales in pictues or microscopic
information and amount of the visual field occupied.
g. Growth cures; graph interpretation.
h. Beneficial microbes vs. Dangerous microbes.
Division C (only) National Tournament (B & C)
i. Names for and recognition of level material
1. All state/regional

various bacterial shapes m. Resistace to various antimicrobial agents

between gram & gram

+-
J. Gram stain uses and difference
n. Role of microbes in the causes of plant diseases
o. Causes and effects of microbial population explosions
p. Parasitic worms
k. Important aspects of spores & cysts q. Microbial competition
4. SAMLE QUESTIONS: Note: Disease questions must be restricted to the 2011 Microbial Diseases on ww.soinc.org
a. Provide two differences among bacteria, virses, and fungi.
b. Using the following key, determine (from pictues) which cell, A, B, or C is considered an alga.
c. Based on the following graph, determe which organism is best suited for growth in acid environment.
d. A cell is observed through a light microscope at 4x magnification. The cell takes up abut half of the visual
field. What is the approximate length of this organism?
e. Students observe a pictue of a plate with different colonies on it. Based on the color of the colony, how
many different kids of organisms do you detect? Which tye of organism appears to be the most
prevalent?
f. From this pictue identify the organelle, its function, and state which tye of microbe it is unique to.
g. What type of microbe is involved in the production of most breads?
h. What tye of microbe is responsible for polio?
i. Based on the following graph, what wil be the microbial populationlml after 3.5 hours of growth?
j. Match the disease with the tye of organism that causes it.
5. SCORIG: Highest score wil determine the winer. Selected questions may be used as tiebreakers.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Microbe Mission CD are
available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store and Website at htt://ww.soinc.org.

@2011-C13
~
S~~4i MISSION POSSIBLE
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Prior to the competition, the teams design, build, test, and document a "Rube Goldberg@-
like Device" that completes a required task.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 3 IMPOUND: Yes EYE PROTECTION: #2 TIME: Set-up-30 minun: 3 min
2. EVENT AND CONSTRUCTION PARAETERS:
a. All competitors must properly wear safety spectacles with side shields.
b. All parts of the device must fit within an imaginar box (50 cm x 50 cm x 80 cm).
c. Each device must pass a safety inspection before operation. Devices with potential hazards or unsafe
procedures must not ru unless safety concerns are resolved to the satisfaction of the event supervisor.
Unsafe devices receive only participation points.
d. The device must be designed and constrcted to execute a sequence of
tasks from the list in section 4.
i. The Starting Task must be Task 4.a. and the Final Task must be Task 4.n.
ii. Teams may choose up to 8 additional tasks from 4.b. - 4.m. These may occur in any order.
iii. After the Starting Task, the device must operate autonomously.
iv. Each task in the device must contribute to the completion of the Final Task.
v. Parallel tasks are not allowed. Other non-listed tasks may be built into the device but must contribute
to the completion of the Final Task and they wil not earn any points.
e. Electric components must be limited to batteries, wires, resistors, motors, capacitors, solenoids,
mechanical switches, electro-mechanical relays, LEDs, and light bulbs. Computers or integrated circuits
must not be used in the device.
f. The only liquids allowed are water and vinegar. Substances may be added to these durig operation.
g. Uncontrolled projectiles, hazardous spils, flames, and hazardous materials (e.g. matches, rat traps,
candles, model rocket engines, lighters, fireworks, gunpowder, flammable substances) are not permitted.
h. No more than 10.0 volts wil be permtted to power any single electrical circuit. All batteries must be
factory-sealed and voltage labeled by the manufactuer. No lead-acid batteries wil be allowed.
1. Energy devices such as flashlights, batteries, and mousetraps may be set/activated prior to starting the
device, but not the motors (see Penalties, 8.d.).
j. Devices must not be remotely timed or controlled.
k. Tasks receive points only if successful, listed, and contribute toward Final Task completion.
3. THE TASKS: No part(s) ofa mousetrap will count as a simple machine.
a. Starting Task- Drop a U.S. quarter from above the entire device. The quarer must physically touch and
snap the mousetrap, which begins the chain of events. (100 points)
b. (20 points) Use a force to push a wedge between two objects to separate and cause the next action.
c. (20 points) Use an IM 3 pulley system to lift a mass at least 15cm. The mass must cause the next action.
d. (20 points) Tur a screw so its tip stays in contact with an object, forcing the object to move at least 2 cm
and cause the next action.
e. (20 points) Use a thid-class lever to cause the next action.
f. (30 points) Inflate a balloon with a gas such that the infated balloon causes the next action.
g. (30 points) Use a closed hydraulic system to cause the next action.
h. (30 points) Move a volume of air (not pneumatic) such that the moving air causes the next action.
i. (40 points) Initiate an enclosed chemical reaction that creates gas and use that gas to cause the next action.
j. (40 points) Convert circular motion to linear motion, without the use of gears or screws, and use the linear
motion to cause the next action.
k. (50 points) Decrease an object's temperatue such that the change in temperatue causes the next action.
1. (50 points) Stack 5 wooden blocks, no smaller than 5 cm x 5 cm x 2 cm, such that the stack of 5 blocks
causes the next action. The blocks cannot touch each other in their un-stacked state and must stay
completely within the boundary of the device. Once stacked, each block must completely support the
blocks stacked on top of it.
m. (Variable points) Use sand that acts as a timer by allowing a stream of sand to fall from one container to
another. The sand timer must operate for at least 15 seconds and the mass of the accumulating sand must
cause the next action. Electricity must not be used for fuer actions after the sand timer has started.
@2011-C14
 ~
SÇ~~IA MISSION POSSIBLE (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

n. Final Task- Raise a sign completely above the top of the device using a single pre-filled (prior to device
operation) helium balloon. The sign must start in contact with the lowest point in the device, hang from
the bottom of the balloon, and display the team school name. The balloon must be released from the
device, remain tethered to the device by a strng, and rise only due to its buoyancy. The sign must be
easily detached and given to the judges to be massed after the task is completed. The sign and
attachments, except the balloon tether, are included in the sign mass.
4. TASK SEQUENCE LIST (TSL): (An example list is on the National website.)
a. The TSL details the scorable sequence of tasks to occur during device operation. Tasks in section 4,
intended to ear points, must be numbered and identified by letter in the TSL and device.
b. Additional actions or tasks need not be identified in the TSL.
c. The TSL must be submitted at impound or as announced by the tourament director.
5. OPERATION OF DEVICE:
a. The timing ofthe device begins when a team member releases a quarter into the device (4.a).
b. Timing stops when the final task has been completed or when 180 sec have elapsed (whichever comes
first); the points earned up to then determine the score. The ideal operation time is 60 sec at Regionals,
between 60-90 sec at States, and between 90-120 sec at Nationals (time announced after impound).
c. If the device stops, jams or fails, the team may adjust it to continue operation with penalty points
deducted. Any obvious stallng to gain a time advantage results in disqualification.
d. If an action inadvertently starts a task out of sequence on the TSL then all tasks skipped in the listed
sequence wil not earn points even if they are completed.
e. If the team completes a task themselves or makes an adjustment that leads directly to completion of the
task in the very next action, that task wil not receive points (even if it is the final task).
6. SCORING POINTS:
a. 25 points, if the TSL is submitted on time.
b. 25 points, if the TSL uses the format specified.
c. 25 points, if the TSL is 100% accurate in documentation of expected device operation.
d. 25 points, if the tasks are labeled properly in the device.
e. 50 points, if the team uses no more than 30 minutes for set up.
f. 100 points, if the team starts the device correctly.
g. 2 points, for each full second of operation up to the ideal time.
h. 20, 30, 40, or 50 points for the first time each lettered task from section 4 is successfully completed.
i. 100 points, if all conditions of the sand timer are successfully met.
j. 2 points for each full second of sand tier operation before causing next action, including the 15 sec
required for task completion. No sand timer points awarded after the device reaches the ideal time.
k. 1 point per 0.1 g of sign mass (only if final task is successfully completed).
L 250 points, if all conditions for the Final Task are successfully completed in 180 sec.
7. PENALTIES:
a. 1 point deducted for each second that the device operates beyond the "ideal" time until the device
completes the Final Task, or reaches the three-miute time limit (whichever occurs first).
b. 15 points each time the device is touched, adjusted, or restarted.
c. 50 points, one time, for any substance that leaves the boundary of the device durig operation (except the
balloon, tether strng, and sign at the point of task completion).
d. 100 points for each motor ruing prior to the start of the device.
e. 100 points if the device does not begin with the Staring Task.
f. Teams with constrction violations, parallel design, or "dead end" paths are ranked below all other teams.
g. Teams with an unsafe device must not be allowed to ru their device but receive participation points.
8. TIES are broken by this order: a. fewest penalty points; b. greatest sign mass rounded to 0.1 g (only if the
final task is completed); c. longest ru time of sand timer up to ideal time; d. closest to ideal time.
Recommended Resources: All reference and trainig resources are available at htt://ww.soinc.org.
THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY LOCKHED MATIN

@2011-C15
 MOUSETRAP VEHICLE
S~o'.,
Ç~~15 Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams design, build, and test a vehicle using one or two snap mousetraps as the sole
propulsion energy source to push a plastic cup out a distance and retu to a point behind the starting line as
quickly as possible.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 IMPOUND: None EYE PROTECTION: #5 APPROX. TIME: 15 minutes
2. EVENT PARMETERS: Students must bring and correctly wear eye protection while preparing and
runnng their vehicle or they will not be allowed to compete.
3. CONSTRUCTION PARAMETERS:
a. Only one or two unmodified snap mousetraps (with bases less than 6.0 cm x 12.0 cm) must be used as
energy sources. An unmodified mousetrap is one that stil retains all of its original pars and structual
integrity to function as intended. Altering the strctual integrity of the mousetrap includes, but is not
limted to, welding, bending, and cutting. Items may be added to the mousetrap. Soldering, taping, tying,
gluing, and clamping are allowed. Holes may NOT be made anywhere on the mousetrap.
b. All parts of the vehicle must move as a whole; no anchors, tie downs, launching ramps, or other separate
pieces are allowed. If any piece falls off during the run, it is considered a constrction violation. The
plastic cup is not considered part of the vehicle at any time.
c. All of the vehicle's kietic energy must originate from the unodified mousetrap. Items must not be
added to the mousetrap to increase the potential energy of the unmodified mousetrap. Conversion
of the mechanical energy of the mousetrap spring is permssible, but any additional sources of kinetic
energy must be at their lowest states at the begining of the ru.
d. Reversing and stopping mechanisms must work automatically. The vehicle must not be tethered or
remotely controlled in any way to gude, reverse, or stop it. Recoil is NOT considered reversing.
e. Electric devices are not permtted.
f. The vehicle must have a fixed, pointed object, (e.g., pin or toothpick) somewhere on the perimeter of the
vehicle chassis that extends down to within 1.0 cm of the track's surface. The point of the fixed object
nearest the track surface is used as the reference point for distance measurements.
g. The entire vehicle must fit within a 1.0 m x 1.0 m box in ready to start mode only before a run.
There is no restriction on the height of the vehicle.
h. Competitors must start the vehicle by actuating some sort of trigger using a pencil, pen, dowel or similar
device (which is not part of and does not travel with the vehicle). The trigger must be designed so that
the actuation of it is perpendicular (up or down) to the floor. A horizontally activated trigger is a
construction violation.
1. Sighting devices not using electricity are permtted and may be removed before the vehicle runs.
j. The wheels and drive string(s) are the only vehicle parts permitted to contact the floor at any time.
4. THE TRACK:
a. The competition must be on a straight and level lane with a relatively smooth, hard, low-frction surface.
b. Event Supervisors must mark the track with tape as follows:
i. Start Line: The edge of the tape closest to the 3 m tape is the Start Line.
ii. 3 m Line: A parallel line 3.00 m in FRONT of the Start Line. The edge of the tape closest to the Start
Line is the 3 m Line and must be accurate to within i mm of 3 m.
iii. Minus 4 m Line: A parallel line 4.00 m BEHID the Start Line. The edge of the tape closest to the
Sta Line is the Minus 4 m Line and must be accurate to within 1 mm of 4 m.
iv. Lane Boundaries: Parallellines 1.00 m apart extending from the 3 m Line to the Minus 4 m Line.
The Lane Boundares may be extended beyond the 3 m and Minus 4 m Lines to help with determning
the Lane Bonus.
c. The center of the Minus 4 m Line must be clearly marked.
d. Additional space must be provided in all 4 diections of the lane to allow for track over-ru.
5. THE COMPETITION:
a. The vehicle must push a 16 oz. disposable plastic cup (provided by the Event Supervsor) to the 3 m
Line, leave it there, reverse direction, and stop at the center of the Minus 4 m Line in order to
receive the ideal Distance Score.
b. The competitors must place the plastic cup upside down and tangent to the Start Line on the side
closest to the 3 m Line. The cup may be placed anywhere along the Start Line as long as it is
completely within the Lane Boundaries. The vehicle must be placed so that it is in contact with the
cup. The fixed point of the vehicle does not have to be on the Start Line, nor does the entire vehicle
have to be behind the Start Line or within the Lane Boundaries.

(Ç2011-C16
 ~
\~S~~Uia~/
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
~,
MOUSETRAP VEHICLE (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

c. The competitors must not push or constrain the vehicle during release nor touch their vehicle during a run.
d. The vehicle must be able to remain at the starting position without being touched until trggered. If the
vehicle moves any distance after the trigger has been released it is considered a run.
e. Teams have 10 minutes of Event Time to set up, make any adjustments, take measurements, and start two
rus. If the second run has started before the 10 minute period has elapsed, it must be allowed to run to
completion. Time used by the Event Supervisor for measuring must not count toward the 10 minute Event
Time.
f. Run Time starts when the vehicle begins forward motion and ends when the vehicle comes to a complete
stop. If a vehicle does not move upon actuation of the switch it does not count as a run and the team may
request to set up for another a run, but must not receive extra time.
i. Run Time is in seconds, recorded to 0.01 seconds.
ii. If the vehicle does not reverse within 3 seconds after coming to a stop, the run is considered to have
ended. In this instance, the Run Time is the time it took the vehicle to start and stop in 1 direction
including the 3 seconds. Any action occurg after the vehicle has stopped for 3 seconds must not
count as part of the ru.
iii. If the vehicle reverses direction, the Run Time stops once all motion ceases (including recoils).
g. If the time or distance cannot be measured for a vehicle (e.g. a team starts a vehicle before the Event
Supervisor is ready or the team picks up the vehicle before it is measured) it is a failed run.
h. If the cup tips over during a run, measurement is made from where the cup comes to rest.
i. Once the vehicle starts a run the competitors must move outside the lane, not follow their vehicle, and
wait until called by the Event Supervisor to retrieve their vehicle following measurement.
j. Teams who wish to fie an appeal must leave their vehicle with the Event Supervisor.
6. SCORING:
a. Run Score: The Run Score is the sum of the Distance Score, Lane Bonus, and Time Score. Negative
scores are possible. Lowest score determines the winner.
b. Distance Score:
i. The Distance Score is the sum of two distance measurements. 1) The perpendicular distance (point to
line) in cm (to the nearest O. i cm) from the nearest edge of the cup to the 3 m Line. If the cup is
touchig the 3 m Line its distance score is 0 cm. 2) The distance (point to point) in cm (nearest 0.1 cm)
from the fixed point on the vehicle to the center of the Minus 4 m Line.
ii. Both distance measurements are absolute value positive measurements. It does NOT matter on which
side of the lines the cup and the fixed point come to rest.
iii. The cup must pass at least 1.5 m or receive 500 points plus the cup distance measurement. The team
may elect to not push the cup but receives 300 points as the cup to 3 m Line measurement plus the 500
points for not passing 1.5 m.

bonus is awarded. .
iv. Vehicles not reversing direction receive 1500 points added to the Distance Score for that ru.
c. Lane Bonus: If the fixed point remains within the Lane Boundaries through the entire ru, a -30 point

d. Time Score: Regional, 1 point per second; State, 2 points per second; National, 4 points per second.
e. Tiers: Teams are ranked using the single ru that gives them the best overall rank.
i. Tier: A ru with no violations.
ii. 2nd Tier: A ru with competition violations.
iii.3rd Tier: A ru with constrction violations or both competition and constrction violations.
f. Tiebreakers: 1st: Distance score of the better ru. 2nd: The vehicle's other run score.
g. Teams receive partcipation points if they have no successful runs.

SCORIG EXAPLE: At a State competition, the run took 20.21 seconds. The
cup came to rest 42.4 cm from the 3 m Line. The fixed point was 75.8 cm away
from the center of the Minus 4 m Line and remained within the lane boundaries the
entire time.
Distance Score 118.2 points (42.4 + 75.8)
Lane Bonus -30 points
Time Score 40.42 points (40.42 sec. = 20.21 sec. x 2 points/l sec.)
Run Score 128.62 points
Recommended Resources: All reference and trainng resources including the Mousetrap Vehicle (Out &
Back) DVD are available on the Official Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C17
~
SÇ~~IA OPTICS
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: This event includes activities and questions related to geometric and physical optics.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: None Required APPROX. TIME: 50 Minutes
2. EVENT PARMETERS:
a. Competitors may bring tape measures, rulers, protractors, and use any tye of calculator for use durng
any part of the competition.
b. All reference materials to be used during the competition must be secured in a 3-ring binder, must be 3-
hole punched and inserted in the binder so that regardless of orientation nothing can fall out.
3. THE COMPETITION: The competition consists of three parts that include experimental tasks and
questions related to geometric optics and physical optics. All answers are to be provided in SI units with
proper significant figues.
a. Part l: Geometric Optics, which may include the following topics:
i. Law of reflection (Spectral / Diffuse)
ii. Refraction (measurement of index of refraction, Snell's Law, critical angle)
iii. Prism (Deviation and Dispersion)
iv. Convex, concave, and plain mirrors: ray tracing, focal length, real object, images (reaVvirtal,
erect/inverted, magnification)
v. Convex and concave lens: ray tracing, focal length, real object, thin lens equation, lensmaker's
equation, and images (reaVvirtl, erect/inverted, magnification)
State and National Tournaments may also include:
vi. Propagation of wave fronts (Huygens' Priciple)
vii. Ray tracing of two perpendicular or parallel plane mirrors (comer reflector and/or periscope)
viii. Ray tracing of two lens systems: real and virtal objects, images (reaVvirtl, erect/inverted,
magnification)
b. Part 2: Physical Optics, which may include the following topics:
i. Visible Spectrum (colors: primary/secondary, additive/subtractive, color absorption, color reflection,
and human color sensitivity)
11. Structue and fuction of the parts of the eye
iii. Wavelengths, frequencies, velocities, and nomenclatue of the various portions of the EM spectr
iv. Doppler shift
v. Bright Line Spectra
Vi. Absorption Spectra
vii. Light Intensity (Inverse square law, SI units)
viii. Energy and momentum of photons
State and National Tournaments may also include:
ix. Interference and superposition of waves (Young's experient--location oflight and dark peaks only,
not intensity)
x. Lasers (theory of operation, difference between coherent and non-coherent light)
c. Part 3: Laser Shoot - The objective is to reflect a laser beam with two miors, around a barrier to strike a
given taget.
i. The maximum set-up time is 5 minutes. The event supervisor wil use a timer to record to the nearest
second the amount of time the team uses to set-up the mirrors.
11. The Laser Shoot Surface (LSS) is a horizontal flat surace enclosed by a 2 :l 0.5 cm thick wall; the
surface may be a table top.
ll. The size of the enclosed horizontal surface is 56:l 1 cm x 35 :l 1 cm.
iV. The height of the wall above the laser shoot surace is 1O:l 0.5 cm.
v. The miors must have a width and height of at least 5 cm. The mirror is mounted so that it stands
vertically (at a 90 degree angle to the LSS) and can be easily relocated on the LSS by the students.

(Ç2011-C18
~
s~~ OPTICS (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

Vi. A laser (provided by the Event Supervisor) is mounted in a horizontal plane through the approximate
center of one of the 35 cm long walls at a height of2:l 0.5 cm above the LSS.
vii. Class 2 Lasers (1 m W or less) are to be used. Green lasers are preferred but not required.
viii. The laser must be securely mounted through the wall such that it cannot be moved and the laser beam
is perpendicular to the wall through which it is mounted.
lX. A line is drawn on the LSS from a point directly below the emitting tip of the laser to a point directly
below the center of the laser beam where it strikes the opposite walL. The event supervisor must test
the beam's alignent before the next team is permitted to see the LSS.
x. Competitors are not permitted to touch the laser or change its orientation and/or position. The laser
must remain fixed throughout the entire event.
xi. A metrc scale with a resolution of at least 1 mm wil be attched horizontally to the target wall at the
level at which the laser strikes. One of the marks on the scale must align with the center of the laser
beam where it stries the walL. This mark is the Target.
xli. A barrer is placed somewhere between the emittng tip of the laser and the Target. The barrer must
have a width of 2 to 4 cm and the laser beam must strke the barier at approximately the horizontal
center. The barrier must be in the same position and orientation in respect to the LSS for all
competitors.
xiii. Competitors must make all measurements, calculations, and mirror placement/alignent within the 5
minute time allowed. The laser must not be tued on until the competitor(s) complete the mirror
placement /alignent.
xiv. All mirrors must be placed in a home position designated by the event supervisor before the next
competitors are permtted to see the laser shoot station.
xv. Competitors must not mark on or modify the LSS.
56:11 em

10:fOo\lm

4. SCORIG:
a. The highest total points wins. Points are awarded for correct answers, measurements, calculations,
analysis of data, laser shoot set-up time and laser shoot accuracy. Supervisors are encouraged to provide a
stadardized form on which students can show all ray tracings, measurements and calculations.
b. Points are distrbuted in the following maner:
i. Par 1: Geometrc Optics % correct answers x 30 points
ii. Part 2: Physical Optics % correct answers x 30 points
iii. Par 3: Laser Shoot set-up time (300-t)/300 x 10 points
iv. Part 3: Laser Shoot Accuracy 30 - (distance from TP to center oflaser beam (in mm)/lO)
(Note: if
the distance is:; 300 mm, set the result to 0 for 4.b.iv.)
c. Ties are broken using a designated task(s) or question(s). The event supervisor wil identify the tiebreaker
question(s) or task(s) on the answer form provided to the students at the beginning of the competition
period.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources are available at htt://ww.soinc.org.
@2011-C19
 ~ ORNITHOLOGY & REMOTE SENSING
SCIENCEoL YMPIA
\~s:~t1:i¡~u/ Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

ORNITHOLOGY
l. DESCRIPTION: This event will test knowledge of North American birds on the official list.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes
2. EVENT PARMETERS:
Each student may bring one commercially published book (or field guide), one
two-sided page of the Official National Bird List and one 8.5" x 11" two-sided
page of notes that contain information in any form from any source (teams may tab
fUmit 3 wordsl the guide and write on any of these). No other resources, electronic
devices or printed labels will be allowed.
3. THE COMPETITION: Each team wil be given an answer sheet on which they wil record answers.
a. The competition may be ru as timed stations and/or as a timed slides PowerPoint presentation.
b. Specimens/pictures will be lettered or numbered at each station. The event may include preserved
specimens, skeletal material, recordings of songs, and slides or pictues of specimens.
c. Participants should be able to do basic identification to the level indicated on the Offcial List. States may
have a modified state or regional list. See your state web site. No more than 50% of the competition wil
require giving common or scientific names.
d. Each specimen will have one or more questions accompanying it on some aspect of its life history,
distribution, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, habitat characteristics, ecology, diet, behavior,
conservation and biogeography.
e. The ecology questions may pertain to any ecological aspect of the species, including behavior, habitat,
niche, symbiotic relationships, trophic level, adaptive anatomy such as bil size and shape, migration,
distrbution or occurrence (rare, common, special concern, endangered.)
f. All questions wil be restricted to specimens on the Offcial National List-see htt://ww.soinc.org.
4. SCORING: The teams with the highest number of correct answers wil be the winners. Selected questions
may be used as tiebreakers.
Recommended Resources: All specimens listed on the Offcial Science Olympiad National Bird List are
represented in the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (08), both are available on the Offcial
Science Olympiad Store and Website at htt://ww.soinc.org as are all reference and trainig resources.

REMOTE SENSING
1. DESCRIPTION: Teams wil use remote sensing imagery, science and math process skills to complete
taks related to an understanding of the causes and consequences of human impact on the envionment.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXITE TIM: 50 minutes
2. EVENT PARAMETERS: Each team may bring five 8.5" x 11" two-sided sheets of paper containig
any information from any source. Each paricipant may brig a metric ruler, a protractor, a triangle,
and any kid of (non-graphing) calculator, but no other resources.
3. THE COMPETITION: The event wil be organized as follows:
a. The causes, consequences, & evidence for human impact on the environment.
b. Students wil analyze and interret remote sensing imges.
c. Students will use math computations to analyze or express quatitative data
d. Students should understad concepts and terms related to the sustainability of
the terrestral, oceanic, and atmospheric environments on earh and the
interactions which support life and civilition as we know it: development and resource extraction,
radiative balance of the atmosphere, natural and man-made sources of greenhouse gasses, changes
in land, atmospheric and oceanic temperatures, carbon cycles, hydrologic cycles, and plant growt.
e. Students should be familiar with the priciples of satellte imagery, includig orbital missions and
sensor systems related to cliate change, land use monitoring, oceanic and atmospheric monitoring,
the elecomagnetic (EM) sp and inteon betwee EM ener and the atmospher (particularly
radiometric measurements of temperatures; greenhouse gasses; land, sea and ice elevations; land, sea
and vegetative color; passive and active sensors; and priciples of digital image processing).
f. Students may be asked to interpret digital data presented numerically in a grd.
4. SAMLE ACTIVTIES:
a. Compare the area of inect inestation in a given location with recorded amounts in previous years.
b. Evaluate area daaged by deforestation or forest fies.
5. SCORIG: Teams with the highest score will be the winers. Selected task will be used as a tiebreaker.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Remote Sensing CD are
available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C20
 ~
\~~/
SCIENCEoL YMPIAD
n,
PROTEIN MODELING
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Students wil use computer visualization and online resources to guide them in
constructing physical models of proteins. For the 20 II competitions, students wil model proteins involved
in reprogramming adult cells to become stem cells, also known as induced pleuripotent stem cells (IPS).
A TEAM OF UP TO: 3 IMPOUND: Yes APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes for Part II & III
2. EVENT PARETERS: Pre-build models will be impounded one hour before the event begins.
a. Students may bring up to five double-sided, 8.5"xl l" pages of notes. Internet access is not permtted.
b. Students must bring a wrting instrument.
c. Supervisors wil provide all materials for on-site model constrction.
3. THE COMPETITION: Ths event has three parts: a pre-build model, an on-site build model, & an exam.
a. Part I: The Pre-Build ModeL. Students wil use a computer visualization program (Jmol;
htt://cbm.msoe.edu/includes/jmol/SOJmols/2011PreBuild.htm) to design and construct a model of a specific
protein based on atomic coordinate data. Students will constrct a model of Klf4, based on the coordinate data
found in the 2wbu.pdb fie. Strctual information about this fie can be accessed for free through the RCSB
Protein Data Bank (ww.pdb.org). The same constructed model of the Klf4 protein wil be brought to all
competitions; as the competition level increases, the scoring rubrics for the pre-build model wil reflect higher
expectations for model accuracy, detail and creativity.
b. The final pre-build model must be based on the alpha carbon backbone display of the model and must use a
scale of 2 cm per amino acid. Students may use Mini- Toobers@ to model their protein, or use other
comparable material (e.g., Kwik Twists, l2 gauge dimensional house wire, etc.). Students wil represent other
important parts of the protein, such as amino acid sidechains, DNA or associated molecules, with materials of
their choosing. The additions to the model should focus on ilustrating the significance of the strctue to the
fuction of the protein. A significant portion of the score wil be derived from the creative additions to the
modeL. Students must provide a 3"x5" note card explaining the additions to their model and what they
represent. Students must deliver their pre-build model and 3"x5" card to judges at the competition site for
impounding. Models will be returned to the students after the competition.
c. Part II: The On-Site ModeL. During the on-site competition at Regional Competitions, students wil design
and build a physical model of a selected region of Oct4 (lgtO.pdb), which is described in the April 2009 RCSB
Molecule of the Month (htt://dx.doi.org/lO.221O/rcsbydb/mom_2009_4) by David S. Goodsell. Durg the
on-site competition at the State Competition, students wil design and build a physical model of a selected
region ofNanog (2ktO.pdb). Durg the on-site competition at the National Competition, students wil design
and build a physical model of a selected region of c-myc (lnkp.pdb), which is described in the April 2009
RCSB Molecule of the Month (htt://dx.doi.org/10.2210/rcsbydb/mom_2009_4) by David S. GoodselL.
d. Students wil utilize a computer provided with the Jmol application at the competition. Students must utilize
only one of the identical computers provided at the competition with the above-mentioned files on it to guide
their model constrction. All constrction materials for the model (Mini- Toobers@l, foam amio acid
sidechains, cross linkers and plastic red and blue end caps) wil be provided. Any model not handed to the
judges by the end of the competition time wil not be accepted for scorig.
e. Part il: The On-Site Written Exam wil be multiple choice/short answer questions about the relationship
between protein strctue and function, with an emphasis on induced pleurpotent stem cells.
4. SCORIG: 40% of the event score wil be based on the pre-build protein model (Part I), 30% on the on-site
build (part II) and 30% on the written exam (Part III). The pre-build protein model (Part I) wil be scored
based on the accuracy & scale of the alpha-helix & beta-sheet secondary strctues, as well as other creative
additions to the protein backbone such as sidechains, DNA or associated molecules. The focus of the model
should be on creatively tellng the story of the molecule's significance, strctue & function. Creative
additions that do not support the molecular story wil not receive full credit. The on-site build protein model
(Part II) will be scored based on accuracy of folding the Min- Toober@ model & positioning specific amino
acid sidechains and/or accessory molecules. The exam (Part III) wil be scored for accuracy. Ties wil be
broken using specific questions from the written exam selected by the event supervisor.
Resources: Event details and available kit information can be found at: htt://cbm:msoe.edu/stupro/so/index.htm
This event is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MSOE and 3D Molecular Designs

(Ç2011-C21
 \~/
S6~ÀD n,
SOUNDS OF MUSIC
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Prior to the competition each team will build one wind instrument and one percussion
instrument based on a i 2 tone tempered scale, prepare to describe the principles behind their operation and
be able to perform a major scale, a required melody and a chosen melody with each.
A TEAM OF: 2 EYE PROTECTION: None Required APPROXIMTE TIME: 20 min/Set-up 5 min
2. EVENT PARAMETERS:
a. Teams must provide a score of all music (both chosen and required) to be performed and submit it in
notated form at the beginning of their presentation. Copies of this rules page wi not be accepted.
b. All music must be written in the appropriate clef
for each of the instrments as stated in the chart below.
c. Each member wil play at least one instrment.
d. Notes, calculators, books, etc. wil not be allowed for any portion of the judging.
3. THE COMPETITION:
a. Part 1:
1. Each team member must play the required scale as given in the following chart and wil be evaluated
on range, pitch, and sound quality. However, to help teams select music and to improve their overall
score they may wish to include notes within the maximum allowable scoring range. Corresponding
frequencies for each note below have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
n. The team will then perform, in any key within the musical ranges specified, the lines of music included
below. The piece wil be played as a duet including melody and harmony. Students must supply
their own harmony.
11. Each instrument must be capable of playing the required lines as written or as transposed into a key
adapted to their instrent but staying within the allowable range.
iv. They must also playa duet of their choosing which best demonstrates their instrents' capabilities.
v. Students wil be given a maximum of 4 minutes to play both the required duet and the chosen duet.
Scale Wind Instrent - Instrent i Percussion Instrent- Instrment 2
Mandatory Scale C major (C4 (262 Hz) to C5 (523 Hz)) G major (G2 (98 Hz) to G3 (196 Hz))
Allowable Scoring Range F3 (175 Hz) to GS (784 Hz) C2 (65 Hz) to D4 (294 Hz)
Music submitted in Treble Clef Bass Clef
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Inst 2
Alloabe Range

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b. Part 2:
1. Instrments wil be evaluated on creativity and originality, variety, and workmanship through an
interview process.
ii. Members wil be asked to play any note from the required scale which will be judged for accuracy.
iii. No electrc or electronic devices, toy or professional instruments or parts of such instrments wil be
permitted including items such as bells, whistles, mouthpieces, reeds or reed blocks, audio-oscillators,
rosin, tuning pegs, etc. The only exception is that strngs (instrment or others) of any tye are
permitted.
iv. No electrcity is allowed. All energy put into the instruments must originate from the students.
v. All instrments must be able to go through a standard classroom door (80 cm wide).

@201l-C22
 ~
\~s~tJJ.a~/
SCIENCE OLYMPIA
SOUNDS OF MUSIC (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

c. Part 3:
1. The students wil be asked to describe the scientific principles used in the design and construction of
their instrents (e.g., How does it make a sound? What determines the pitch? How is volume
changed?).
n. This wil be done as an oral interview and/or with a wrtten set of questions, with approximately 3 to 6
pre-selected questions adaptable to various instrments.
Il. Students must be able to define or explain basic terminology regarding sound, sound production, and
related science terms. These include the fundamental elements of wave theory, Bernoulli Effect,
acoustics, musical sound perception, and harmonics.
4. SCORING:
a. All scoring must be done by the same set of judges (preferably 2-3). If more than one person is judging,
each judge will score a separate part of the competition.
b. All sections will be added for the total score.
c. Judges must have knowledge of both music and the physics of sound.
d. Range of notes: quality of sound (22 points) (Judge 1 accuracy and quality and Judge 3 octave)
i. Demonstrated range _ octaves (for instruent #1) _ notes _ Points (6)
ii. Sound quality (compared to standard instrments #1) _ Points (5)
iii. Demonstrated range _ octaves (for instrment #2) _ notes _ Points (6)
iv. Sound quality (compared to standard instrments #2) _ Points (5)
e. Creativity, variety, and workmanship of instrments (25 points) (Judge 1)
i. Originality/creativity (traditionaVunusual) _Points (5)
ii. Appropriate tyes of instrments used _Points (5)
iii. Workmanship (appearance, easy to play, durability, etc.) _ Points (15)
f. Knowledge of theoretical basis of instrments (30 points) (Judge 2) _ Points (30)
both team members.
Includes participation of

g. Sound of the ensemble (25 points) (Judge 3) Group Performance points for both
required/chosen songs wil be based on harmony, blend, technique, timbre, suitability of
tune for instrents, rhythm, interpretation of music, etc.
i. Group Performance for the required song (10 points) _ Points (10)
ii. Group Performance for the chosen song (15 points) _ Points (15)
h. Bonus Points: Each of the following wil receive the specified bonus points.
i. Teams that follow all of the rules _ Points (16)
11. Teams that fuish music for the judges with team name and number _Points (4)
111. Teams that wrte their music in the correct clefs and correctly notated _Points (4)
iv. Teams that play all music in the correct range _Points (4)
v. Teams that use only allowed materials in building and playing _Points (4)
Required Song

Shenandoah

~r' r ttør', r IUr_

7

4ti ;hJê J Ir-Q rJ If n i(...rm

Note that the first note of the song is below the required octave. Students may substitute a G for the D that is wrtten with
no penalty. Also note that for ease of reading the music is wrtten in slightly higher key than either of the given ranges and
it is expected that students wil choose a key to match the abilty of their instrents.

Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Sounds of Music DVD are available on
the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C23
~
~~I) SUMO BOTS
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Students wil design and constrct a robot (bot) that wil attempt to move an opponent's
robot from a ring.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 IMPOUND: Yes APPROXIMATE TIME: 2 min. competition time.
2. CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW:
b. Remote control cars may be used if the car is modified. Modified means something has been altered on
the car (eg. different body, wheels, or additions like scoops, ars, or other offensive devices.)
c. Robots must be controlled by radio remote, no cords or wires will be permitted. The bot must be able to
operate on three frequencies. (See at htt://ww.soinc.org for details).
d. Robots must be powered by electricity, no fuel or combustion engine designs wil be allowed.
e. The robot's maximum dimensions will be 40 cm long by 40 cm wide by 40 cm high at any time during
the competition. Teams must include the school name on the bot.
f. The maximum weight of the bot is 2.0 kg, including batteries. The weight of the remote is excluded.
g. The combined voltage of all batteries located inside the bot cannot exceed 14.4 volts.
h. The robot may have devices to remove the opponent from the square except any projectiles tethered or
untethered, flames, sharp objects, and magnets. Pneumatic devices are not allowed.
1. Impounded batteries are restricted to the batteries that ru the bot and spares for ruing the bot.
J. Event supervisors may require teams to submit the 3 frequencies their bot can use prior to the
competition.
3. COMPETITION:
b. Competition wil proceed in tourament fashion; double elimnation with random pairings for the fust
the preliminary rounds wil
round. Ifpreliminary rounds are necessary, the top two teams from each of

have two (2) bonus points added to their score and wil advance to the fmal round.
c. When a round of the double-elimination tourament has an odd number of teams, one team wil be
randomly selected to receive a bye. A bye does not count as either a win or a loss. No team wil receive
more than one bye in a tourament unless a round is reached with an odd number of participants and all
participating teams have already received a bye, in which case the second bye wil be issued on a
random basis.
d. Once called to compete, teams wil have a maximum of90 seconds to prepare their bot. If frequency
needs to be changed, teams wil be given an additional 30 seconds in prep time. Any bot not ready to
compete within 90 (or 90 + 30 seconds) of being called wil forfeit the match.
e. After impound, teams cannot work on their bots prior to being called for their first bout.
f. No recharging facilities wil be provided by the event supervisor.
g. The ring wil be a five foot by five foot square with designated starting points in opposite comers.
h. Bots wil start facing each other in opposite comers of the square.
1. Teams wil have two minutes to force the opponent from the arena. If no robot has been declared a
winner at the end of the two minutes, then the lighter of the two wil be declared the victor.
J. Any bot damaging or depositing foreign substances on the surace of the ring wil forfeit the match.
k. If a part falls off durg the competition, the clock will be stopped, piece( s) removed, and the
competition wil continue.
1. If any judge determnes that a bot is taking a defensive postue or is backing away continually for 15
seconds, time wil be called and that team wil receive a stalling penalty. If this is the team's first stalling
penalty of the match, the team wil receive a 15 second penalty and competition wil resume where it left
off. If it is the second stalling penalty, the team wil forfeit the match.
il Ifbots become entangled so that neither bot can move for 10 seconds, the judges will stop the clock, the
teams wil place their bot at the ring's start position, and competition wil resume.
n. A judge may call time if either of the bots is obviously experiencing radio interference. If the cause of
the interference cannot be determined, the team may ask to change their frequency.

@2011-C24
 ~
sa~~AD SUMO BOTS (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

o. Any team that continues to operate their bot after time has been called wil forfeit the match.
p. Except as described in sections 3. k, 1, m and n, once the match has started, there wil be no time outs
allowed until the match is over.
q. Definition of "out of ring:" A bot is declared the winner when the other bot is completely out of the ring.
r. Any bot inadvertently leaving the ring under its own power must re-enter the ring withi five seconds. If
the bot outside of the ring cannot re-enter within five seconds it forfeits the match. If both bots are
outside of the ring (due to driver error) for five seconds, the lighter of the two bots wil be declared the
victor. Note: I) any bot inside the ring may attempt to prevent reentry of the bot outside ofthe rig. 2) If
a judge determines that a bot is leaving the ring as a stallng tactic, stallng penalties wil be enforced.
s. If a robot is damaged during competition, the students may make repairs to the bot between matches.

4. SCORING:
b. Any team that deliberately attempts to do physical damage to an opponent's bot wil be disqualified.
c. Final rankngs wil be determined as follows: the team that wins the tourament wil be awarded first
place. The team defeated by the wining team in the last bout of the tournament will be awarded second
place. All other teams wil be ranked by each team's number of wins. Ties wil be broken by: 1) the total
of their losing times divided by the mass of the bot (high score wins), 2) the mass of the robots (lower
mass wins).
d. Bots that do not meet specs cannot compete against bots that meet specs. If more than one team fails to
meet construction specs, these teams may compete against each other to determine their ran (if
preliminary hours are used, teams may be required to change their competition time to compete against
other teams). Teams that do not follow the rules and cannot compete against any similar teams wil be
ranked by their mass. Teams who fail to follow the rules wil be ranked behind all those who did.
e. Students may take their bot with them when they are eliminated from the tourament. Note: no appeals
may be filed once the team has removed the bot from impound.
f. Any bot that is determed by the event supervisor to be unsafe shall be disqualified.

Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Sumo Bots DVD are
available on the Official Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C25 d)
~ TECHNICAL PROBLEM SOLVING
SQ~PIA ~/ Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams wil be required to gather and process data to solve a given problem.
Intermediate measurements and calculations may be required.

A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: #4 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes

2. EVENT PARETERS: Students may brig only non-programmable and non-graphing calculators.
Where a station requires a more advanced calculator, probes or other lab equipment, the event supervisor
wil provide them. The event supervisor wil provide a list of mathematical relationship, formulas or
constants. No other resources are allowed. Students must bring and use chemical/splash protection
goggles where required.

3. THE COMPETITION:

a. The event wil consist of up to five lab stations and use materials commonly found in a high school
laboratory.

b. The students are required to apply scientific theories and principles in the solution of the problems
presented. Students wil make measurements and determine specific values. The solution to some of
the problems may be arrved at by using an indirect method of obtaing the necessary data.

c. All data collected and equations used must be shown in an organized manner on the answer sheet.

d. The students are expected to use mathematical expressions that are required for the values and the
correct equation for basic relationships. Students wil be expected to apply the proper statistical
analysis. Students wil be required to use correct metrc units throughout calculations and to work
with signficant figures.

e. Supervisors are encouraged to use calculators and probes wherever possible or provide students with
data sets collected by such sensors/probes following a data collection demonstration. At the State
level, teams wil be required to utilize probes at one or more stations. Students may be asked to
collect data to solve a problem using probeware that has been provided, set up, and demonstrated by
the Supervisor. Probes wil be limited to the measurement of temperatue, voltage, light, gas pressure,
pH, photo-gate, or motion detector at the state leveL. Various probes wil be utilized at two or more
stations at the National Tourament.
4. SCORING: Problems may have different point values depending upon the diffculty of the problem.
Points wil be awarded for the correct answers and/or the use of proper mathematical relationships.
Points wil be deducted for failure to express values in the proper unts and the incorrect use of
signficant figues. No points wil be awarded for answers that are not supported by data and calculations.
Tiebreakers wil be problems selected in advance of the competition by the event supervisor. If the event
is held over a series of time periods, the tiebreakers wil be the same for all groups.
THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

@2011-C26
~
S~~I¥ TOWERS
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every evenL

1. DESCRIPTION: Team members design and build the most effcient tower.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 IMPOUND: NO EYE PROTECTION: #2 MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes
2. EVENT PARAETERS:
a. Each team may enter only one tower, built prior to the competition.
b. Team members must wear eye protection durg the set-up and testing of the tower.
c. The Event Supervisor provides the assessment devices, testing apparatus, hardware, and clean, dry sand
or similar dr, free-flowing material (referred to subsequently as "sand").

3. CONSTRUCTION PARATERS:
a. The tower must support a standard loading block (see 4.a.) a minimum of 50.0 cm above the test base in
both Division B and Division C. There is no maximum tower height.
b. The tower must span a 20.0 cm x 20.0 cm Loading Block
opening on a test base (see 4.b.).
c. The tower must not be braced against any edge
Above here
of the test base for lateral support at any time. No device must
portion of the tower is allowed to extend below pass through
the top surface of the test base prior to testing. 8 em hole
d. The portion of the tower more than 30.0 em
above the test base for Division B, or more ?' 50 cm
than 15.0 em above the test base for Division
C, must pass through an 8.0 em diameter
circular opening or hole (see 4.c.).
e. The loading point on the tower must permt
placement of a loading block supporting a chain
(see 4.d.).
f. The chain must pass through the tower and be
within 2.5 cm of the center of the test base
opening when the bucket is attached.
g. The tower must be a single strctue with no
separate or detachable pieces.
h. The tower must be constructed of wood and
::=32 cm
bonded by glue. Other materials must not be used (e.g. no particleboard, wood composites, bamboo,
paper, or commercially laminated wood).
1. There are no limits on the cross section sizes of individual pieces of wood. Wood may be laminated
without restriction by the team.
J. Any tye of commercially available bonding material (glue) may be used.

4. TESTING APPARATUS:

a. The loading block must be a square block measurng 5.0 cm x 5.0 cm x:: 2.0 cm high with a hole in the
center of the square faces for a W' threaded rod or eyebolt.
b. The test base shall be a solid, level sudace as follows:
i. The test base must be at least 32.0 cm long x 32.0 cm wide.
ii. The test base must have a 20.0 cm x 20.0 cm square opening at its center.
iii. The test base must have a smooth, hard, low-frction sudace. The test base must be stiff enough that it
does not bend noticeably when loaded.

(Ç2011-C27
 ~
SCIENCEoL'YMPIA
\~S~~:1;Ut~/
TOWERS (CONT.)
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

c. A Y4" threaded eyebolt must be suspended from the loading block. The head of the eyebolt must be at
least 5.0 cm from the loading block.
d. The head of the eyebolt and the chain must fit through a 3.0 cm diameter hole. A five-gallon plastic
bucket must be suspended from the chain by means of one or more hooks with enough clearance above
the floor to allow for tower deflection.
e. Team members must add sand to the bucket during testing. The Event Supervisor must verify that the
combined mass of the loading block, chain, bucket, sand, and attching hardware is between 15.000 kg
and 15.200 kg prior to testing.
5. THE COMPETITION:

a. Team members must not make alterations, repairs, or substitutions to the tower after check-in for
competition. Once teams enter the event area to compete, they must not leave or receive outside
assistance, materials, or communication until they are finished competing.
b. All towers must be assessed prior to testing for compliance with Constrction Parameters.
c. Team members must place their tower on the scale for the Event Supervisor to determne the mass, in
grams to the nearest 0.01 g.
d. Team members must place the tower on the test base, assemble the loading block, eyebolt and chain, and
hang the bucket from the chain as required to test the tower. Team members may adjust the tower until
they sta loading sand. Once loading of sand has begu, the tower must not be adjusted.
e. Team members have a maximum of ten minutes to set up and test their towers either to the maximum
load or failure.
f. Failure is defined as the inability of the tower to support an additional load.
g. Loading must stop imediately when failure occurs. The Event Supervisor may remove any sand which,
in his or her judgment, was added after failure.
h. The load held must be measured in kilograms to the nearest gram.
i. Pending no arbitration teams may take their towers with them after
testing.

6. SCORIG:
a. Towers must be scored and ranked as defined by the following
equation:
i. Score = (Load Supportedil(Mass of Tower).
ii. Load supported is in kiograms to the nearest 0.001 kg; mass of
the tower is in grams to the nearest 0.01 g.
b. Load scored shall not exceed 15.000 kg, and includes the mass of all
testing apparatus supported by the tower. The least amount of load to
be scored shall be the mass of the loading block.
c. Tiers:
i. Tier 1: Towers meeting all the Constrction Parameters are to be
ranked by highest score.
ii. Tier 2: Towers not meeting Constrction Parameters are to be
ranked by highest Score.
iii. Tier 3: Towers unable to be loaded for any reason (e.g., cannot
accommodate loading block, chain, failure to wear eye protection,
etc.) are ranked by lowest mass.
d. Ties are broken by the lightest tower mass.

Recommended Resources: All reference and traing resources including the Towers DVD are available
on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C28
 ~
\~~/
SCIENCE OLYMPIA
no
WIND POWER
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every evenL

1. DESCRIPTION: Teams wil build a blade assembly that consists of any kind of propeller/pinwheel/rotor
attached to a compact disc (CD), which will be used to capture wind power. Students wil also be tested on
their knowledge regarding alternative energy. '
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 EYE PROTECTION: #2 IMPOUND: Yes APPROX. TIME: 50 minutes

2. EVENT PARAETERS:
a. All reference materials to be used durng Part II of the competition must be secured in a 3-ring binder,
must be 3-hole punched and inserted in the binder so that regardless of orientation none can fall out.
Materials such as pencils, pens, protractors, rulers, nonprogrammable calculators, and any other similar
tools may also be used during the set up and activity.
b. Blade assemblies must be placed in a box (assemblies and box must be labeled with the team #) and must
be impounded.
c. Team members must bring and wear Safety Spectacles with Side Shields during Part I of the event, but
they need not be impounded.
d. The supervisor will provide a 20" multispeed box fan to be used as the wind source for testing the blade
assemblies and all testing materials, which wil be the same for all teams, including:
i. the fanes)
ii. support stand(s) (which allows for vertical and horizontal adjustments of the blade assembly)
iii. clamp(s) (to allow teams to orient the mount to any angle with reference to the fan)
iv. motor/generator(s) (a portable CD player motor wil be used at Nationals)
v. load resistor(s) (in parallel with the motor/generators, the value of the load resistance must be
between 5 and 7.5 ohms. The load resistance value must be the same for all contestants.)
vi. computer probe(s) (to record voltage measurements across the load resistor.)
e. Teams may not know any details of the materials listed above unti after impound is complete.
f. The motor/generator must be equipped with a spring-loaded type CD clip mount such as those
found on portable battery powered CD players. The motor/generator must be removed from the
CD player and mounted on a support rod. 6cm 2cmMax
g. Consult ww.soinc.org for a sample setup. Edge !Min +¡
View -¡
3. CONSTRUCTION: -t..........
a. Each team may bring one pre-constrcted
blade assembly attached to a CD.
b. The CD must fit on the mount found in a
standard CD player. Modification of the CD
(except for the center hole) is allowed. When
mounted, no part of the blade assembly may
have a radial distance from the center of
the axis of rotation of more than 14 cm.
The blade assembly may be made of any
nonmetallc substance. Commercial blades Front
(modified or unodified) are not permtted. View
c. When mounted no part of the blade
assembly may extend behind the mounting
plane of the CD for a radial distance of 3
em. Beyond a radial distance of 3 em the
blade assembly must not extend more than
2 em behind the mounting plane of the CD. This is to ensure clearance with the motor/generator,
clamp and support stand. There is no limit on how far forward the blade assembly may extend.

@2011-C29
 ~ WIND
SCIENCEOL YMPIA
POWER (CONT.)
\~S~i~/ Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

4. THE COMPETITION:
Part I:
a. There may be one or two test stations. If there are two, one wi be used to test at higher wind speed
and one will be used to test at lower wind speed.
b. The fanes) must be mounted in a fixed position with the bottom of the gril at least 15 cm above the table.
c. The blade assembly may be oriented and placed in any position or angle in front of the fan. Teams must
mount their blade assemblies to the motor/generator and position/orient them.
d. At the request of the students, the event supervisors may turn on or off the fan during the set-up to
assist the students in positioning and/or orientating their blade assembly.
e. The teams may modify the blade assembly during the set-up, but not during the testing.
f. When the students are ready, they must tell the event supervisor who will then start the fan and/or begin
the data collection and storage of the voltage across the load resistance durng a one-miute time
period. A computer should be used to record and store voltage data. If a computer recording is not
available, then the maximum voltage occurring during the one minute period is recorded.
g. Teams must complete set-up and testing in no more than 4 minutes at each testing station. If only one
station is used, set-up and testing for both runs must be completed in no more than 8 minutes.
h. When both a high speed and a low speed test station are used, the load resistances may not be
exactly the same value, however, all contestants must use both stations.
i. The team may give their blade assembly a single tap to start it spinning once the testing phase has
begun.
Part II:
j. Teams wil be given a set amount of time (20-30 minutes is suggested) to complete a wrtten test.
k. The following topics may be included:
i. Basic information and definitions about energy, work, power, heat and heat transfer including: the
concepts of heat, temperature, temperatue scales, thermal energy, conduction, convection, radiation
and insulation.
n. General information about renewable energy including: solar, wind, hydroelectrc, tidal, ocean
thermal energy conversion, and geothermaL.
iii. General information about energy conservation practices including: recycling, reusing, and using
materials with greater effciency.
iv. Mathematical relationships and equations used in determning heat loss and heat gain, specific heat,
power, effciency, intensity (power per area), and heat transfer calculations.

5. SCORING:
a. The power output of the blade assembly is calculated using the equation below (If the Mean Voltage
is not available, then use the Maximum Voltage): Power = (Mean Voltage)2 / load resistance
b. The raw score for Part I is the sum of the low speed Power + high speed Power.
c. If the device fails durg a run or stops turning for a period of 15 seconds, the score at that speed wil
be zero.
d. The Part II wrtten test wil be worth a total of 50 points.
e. A team's final score wil be determined as follows (with highest score wining):
Final score = 50 x (Part I raw score / Highest Part I raw score of all teams) + Part IT score
f. Teams wil be ranked in tiers based upon:
i. Teams whose devices meet all specifications wi be ranked, by score, in Tier 1.
ii. Teams whose devices do not meet specifcations listed in section 3 wi be ranked in Tier 2.
iii. Teams who missed impound wil be ranked in Tier 3
g. Ties wil be broken 1st by the highest high speed mean voltage and 2nd by the highest low speed mean
voltage.
Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Wind Power DVD are available
on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store or Website at htt://ww.soinc.org

@2011-C30
 ~
\~sàijJtt~/
SCIENCE OLYMPIA
WRITE IT DO IT
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every evenL ~
1. DESCRIPTION: One student will write a description of an object and how to build it, and then the other
student wil attempt to construct the object from this description.
A TEAM OF: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 55 Minutes
2. THE COMPETITION:
a. A student is shown an object (which may be abstract and is the same for all teams) built from, but not
limited to, such items as science materials, inexpensive materials (e.g., straws, push pins, Styrofoam
balls, paper cups, Popsicle sticks, etc.) or commercial sets (e.g., Googoplex, K'nex, Tinker Toys, Lego,
Lincoln Logs, etc.).
b. The student has twenty-five (25) minutes to write a description of the
object and how to build it. There wil be no advantage to finishing
early. Only numerals, words and single letters may be used. Symbols,
drawings and diagrams are not allowed, with the exception of
common punctuation and editing symbols. Printable punctuation
marks/editing symbols that can be produced on a PC standard 101 key
keyboard by pressing a single key or a single key in combination with
the shift key may be used. These must be used in their normal context
and not as symbols to form a key/code. All abbreviations (not
symbols) must be defined either at the beginning or when the
abbreviation is first used. No prepared abbreviations on labels will be
permtted.
c. The supervisor of the event wil pass the description to the remaining team member who wil take the
description and attempt to recreate (build) the original object in twenty (20) minutes.
d. Supervisors will attempt to use different materials than the materials that were used last year.
3. SCORIG:
a. The team that builds the object nearest to the original and has properly wrtten instrctions is declared
the winner.
b. Points wil be given for each piece of material placed in the proper connection and location compared to
the modeL.

c. Pieces that are connected correctly beyond the incorrect connection will be counted in the score. No
penalty wil be assessed for parts that were not used.
d. Scoring Violations: Use of diagrams or drawings wil result in disqualification. A one percent
(1 %) penalty wi be assessed for each minor infraction (e.g., unlabeled abbreviations or improper
use of editig symbols or codes). Scoring Example: If a team has seven infractions and the total
possible score is 50, then the team score would be 46.5 = 50-(7(50x.Ol)).
e. Time for the constrction phase wil be used asa tiebreaker.
Resources: All reference and trainig resources are available on the Offcial Science Olympiad Store and
Website at htt://ww.soinc.org.

National Science Education Standard: Content Standard G: Science as a human endeavor "Some scientists
work in teams and some work alone, but all communicate extensively with others." Please see the Website at
htt://ww.soinc.org for references to all other event content standards from the National Science Education
Standards.

@2011.C31 d
~
S~~4i GENERAL RULES
Read the General Rules in the manuals and on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

GENERAL RULES, CODE OF ETHICS AND SPIRIT OF THE PROBLEM

Students, coaches, event supervisors, parents, and guests are expected to follow current Science Olympiad
Rules. The goal of competition is to give one's best effort while displaying honesty, integrity, and
sportsmanship, and not violate the spirit of the problem. All are expected to display couresy and respect toward
one another. Failure to show honesty or courtesy by a participant, coach, or guest of the team may result in
penalty points being assessed or disqualification of the team from the event, the entire tournament or future
tournaments. Our collective example wil promote the spirit of cooperation among all participants. Therefore:
1. Teams may not interpret the rules so that they have an unfair advantage over the rules or another team.
2. Unless otherwise stated, it is generally understood that if notes, resources, calculators, actions, etc., are not
excluded, then they are permitted unless they violate the spirit of the problem.
3. All non-permitted electronic devices must be turned off and if so directed, left in a designated spot.
4. Once teams have entered the event area to compete, they must not: leave until they are finished, retu
once they have left, communicate with outside resources, including people, places, etc. by any means (this
effectively excludes the use of any computer, PDA, calculators, wireless devices, phones, etc. that have
access to external communication or data retrieval during an event unless specifically permitted).
5. Safety is of the utmost importnce. Event supervisors are obligated to prevent unsafe acts and devices.
Safety decisions are not subject to appeaL. Students should not risk being penalized for safety violations
such as activating devices or removing goggles without supervisor permission. Contestants must not bring
harmfu items to a tournament. Teams may only bring items that are specified in the rules.
6. Coaches, teachers, parents, students, and other adults are responsible for ensuring that any applicable laws,
regulations, and school policies are not broken.
7. One or more of the l5 current team members must have constructed all pre-built devices presented for
judging. Any of the current team members may demonstrate or operate the device at the competition
unless stated otherwise in the rules.
8. Any person designated by the coach can impound devices unless stated otherwise in the rules.
9. Depending upon the level of an infraction, at the supervisor's or tourament offcial's discretion, a student
or team may be penalized, removed from the event at that point, or disqualified.

Tentative 2011 Division C National Schedule

1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60
11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10
21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20
31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30
41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40
51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50
1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60
11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10
21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20
31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30
41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40
51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50
1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50. 51-60
11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10
21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20
31-40 41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30
41-50 51-60 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40

@2011-C32