Information for Team Coaches

  • Science Olympiad Code of Ethics

    Student participants are expected to compete in tournament events with honest effort to follow the rules and the spirit of the competition. Team members are expected to be the builders of all the devices used in the events. The goal of competition is to give one's best effort while displaying honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. Students, coaches, parents, and guests are expected to display courtesy and respect toward Olympiad officials, other teams, and guests of the Olympiad. Failure to show honesty and/or courtesy by a participant, coach, or guest of the team may result in the disqualification of the team from that event, the entire tournament or future tournaments.

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  • Science Olympiad Pledge for Coaches

    On behalf of the coaches and assistants at this tournament, I pledge to encourage honesty and respect for tournament personnel, our fellow coaches, and other team members. We want our efforts to bring honor to our community and school.

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  • Science Olympiad Pledge for Students

    I pledge to put forth my best effort in the Science Olympiad tournament and to uphold the principles of honest competition. In my events, I will compete with integrity, respect, and sportsmanship towards my fellow competitors. I will display courtesy towards Event Supervisors and Tournament Personnel. My actions will exemplify the proud spirit of my school, team, and state.

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  • How are events scored and team rankings determined?

    SCORING GUIDELINES FOR EVENT SUPERVISORS
    SCORING GUIDELINES & COUNSELING FORM

    • Each team that participates and competes according to the rules must be scored and ranked. Please account for all teams and make every effort to break ties, following the guidelines under the scoring section of the event rules, where applicable. In the rare event that a tie can't be broken, award points according to the place tied and then skip the next place (e.g., all teams tied for 3rd place get 3 points)
    • Teams/devices that do not meet the requirements in the event rules will be allowed to compete if possible and are to be scored and ranked below teams that met all of the specifications. Those teams will be awarded event points in relation to their rank. Event Supervisors may, at their discretion, allow students to modify any device before it is impounded to bring it into compliance with the rules. That discretion, if extended, must be made available to all competitors equally. Any modification must be completed,and the device impounded, before the expiration of the impound period. Supervisors and Officials may not provide assistance regarding the type of modifications or how to accomplish them prior to, or at any time during the tournament day. Supervisors are encouraged to post or have available student self-checklists such as those posted at: http://www.soinc.org/.
    • Teams that make an honest attempt to participate and cannot be assigned a raw score because of time, mechanical failure, wrong dimensions, etc., will be listed as a “P” for Participation for the raw score on the score sheet and will be awarded N points. “N” is equal to the number of teams registered to compete in the Tournament (we expect 20 to 30 teams for each division) as shown on your score sheet. Any device, which, in the judgment of the Event Supervisor, is a safety hazard to competitors, judges, or spectators, will not be allowed to compete and will be listed as a P (Participation) for the raw score on the score sheet and will be awarded N points.
    • If a team does not show up or does not make an honest attempt to participate, the team will be listed as a No Show or “NS” for the raw score on the score sheet and awarded N+1 points. This includes teams who may be present but display no preparation for the competition.
    • Teams should be Disqualified or “DQ” only for misbehavior (to include excessive use of improper or vulgar language) or cheating. Put DQ as raw score and award N+2 points on the score sheet. Also, note on the score sheet the reason why teams were disqualified. Event Supervisors may remove from competition any student(s) whose personal or ethical behavior does not adhere to the Science Olympiad Code of Ethics. This action will disqualify the affected student(s) from participation and scoring in that event only. If any team is DQed or Ranked Below Others, inform the student (and remind the student to inform their coach) as soon as a problem occurs. Notify the head coach immediately if the DQ is determined after students have left. Be sure to list the detailed reason for the disqualification on the score sheet.
    • Teams that were scored and had a raw score placed on the answer sheet, are to be awarded points for each place as follows: 1st – 1 point, 2nd – 2 points, - up to Nth place– N points
    • Recap: Teams considered as PARTICIPATION, NO SHOW, OR DISQUALIFIED will be ranked and assigned points as follows:












    RankFormulaPoints
    Participation (P)P = N points20–30*
    No Show (NS)NS = N + 1 points21–31*
    Disqualified (DQ)DQ = N + 2 points22–32*
    *(Note: N = number of teams registered to compete for each division of the tournament not the number of teams that actually enter the event. We expect 20 to 30 teams to be registered for each division in this tournament.)
    • Provide raw scores and any supporting documentation when turning in the score sheet (answer sheets, master answer key, student papers, etc.). When turning in your scores, you will be asked to participate in a Score Counseling session to explain how you scored the teams (formulas, tie-breakers, etc.) for all 20 to 30 places, double checking that the forms are filled out accurately before they are entered into the computer. This will cut down on questions and mistakes that are discovered after the tournament. Please record the reason why a team was disqualified, not ranked, ranked below, or received only a participation score.

      Note: At the end of the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad Awards Ceremony each team’s head coach will be provided       one copy of the final scores. Events scores and places are tentative and may change if any scoring inconsistencies are brought to the attention of the arbitrators and verified in consultation with the Event Supervisors and/or examination of event documents (tests, raw scores, etc.). If scores change and, consequently, place changes occur, appropriate medals and trophies will be awarded. Scores for the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad are not official until they are posted on the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad website and are designated as final scores. See http://lacountyscienceolympiad.org/

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  • Forms and Documentation

    1. Because space is limited, team registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-registered basis. Each school may send only one team of fifteen students. See the Registration Guidelines for other information. Return the Registration Form and applicable fees as soon as possible. Your Coaches Manual will be sent after your registration form is received.

    2. A Parental Release Form is required for all students attending and/or in the Science Olympiad. This form requires a parent signature and emergency contact information. Please duplicate this form and have them completed as soon as possible. Once they are completed, please make a copy for yourself and forward a copy to Science Olympiad, P.O. Box 9249, Whittier, CA 90608, or bring them the day of the Science Olympiad. This requirement is important. Students can not participate in the Science Olympiad without this form on file.

    3. The Guarantee of Insurance is required for each participating school. If a Guarantee of Insurance is not on file the day of the competition the team may not compete--no exceptions.

    4. Volunteers are critical to the success of the Science Olympiad. Without volunteers to assist with events the Olymiad simply could not be held. Each team must provide volunteers on the day of the event. Download the Volunteers Form and send it to L.A. County Science Olympiad, 9300 Imperial Highway, Clark Building, Room 238, Downey, CA 90242-2890.
    5. The Science Olympiad needs permission to use photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, digital pictures, of students participating in the Olympiad competition. Student photos could be used in publicity materials, event descriptions, or posting on the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad web site. Download the Photo Release Form for minors here.
    6. The Science Olympiad needs permission to use photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, digital pictures, of adults participating in the Olympiad. Photos could be used in publicity, event descriptions, or posting on the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad web site. Download the Photo Release Form for adults here.

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  • Email Address

    The most efficient way to contact Team Coaches is via e-mail. Please send an e-mail so we can get your e-mail address. It will help if you indicate your division and team number in the message. Send email to: info@lacountyscienceolympiad.org

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  • Register When You Arrive

    When you arrive on the day of the Olympiad, send an adult from your team to pick up your registration packet. It will have the Final Schedule of Events, last minute updates, Appeal Forms, room changes, and other important information.


    Plan to arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. to register your team. The registration tables will be open at 7:30 a.m. Division B and C events begin at 8:30 a.m.; Division A events begin at 9:00.


    Coaches are required to turn in a list of team members (names with grade level) at the time of registration if it has not been submitted electronically prior to the date of the Science Olympiad. If there are changes to the team roster, please make them when you register--this is your last chance to make changes.

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  • Limit on Team Members from Other Schools (Divisions B, C)

    Science Olympiad written policies (pages 11-12 in the coaches manual) states that "the students must be from the membership school (recruiting from neighboring schools is not permitted)" and that the principal must sign the final team registration form stating "that all of the above students are active members of our school". The only written exception is that "if you have a middle school grades 6 to 8, you can bring back five of last years 8th graders to be part of the team". And, an unwritten exception which has generally been understood that, if you have a small one room school house or a K through 8 or Gr. 3-7 school, you are welcome to use students from lower levels because the principal can certify that they are members of that school. Note that in all cases it says school not school district. (National Science Olympiad)Alternate team members participate in events ONLY if an offical team member (one of 15) gets sick the day of the competition or for some other personal/home/family reason and cannot attend the day of the Science Olympiad.

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  • Clarification on the Use of Alternates in Divisions B and C

    Olympiad rules allow 15 team members. Up to two alternates to be registered, and included on the team roster, but those students designated as alternates only participate in an event when, due to illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstance, the original team member cannot participate. Alternates are not to provide flexibility in covering an event that might present a conflict at the same time for one of the 15 team members. If that were to happen, there would be, in effect 16 or 17 team members, not 15.


    In short, alternates are like the understudy in a play. They only play the role when the original cast member is unable.


    Your final roster of students must indicate who the 15 Science Olympiad participants are. You will be issued 15, non-transferrable wrist bands. If a student becomes ill, or some circumstance requires that an alternate compete, you must contact a designated representative of the Science Olympiad organizing committee.If you can't reach a Science Olympiad official and the event is about to start, you may send the alternate to compete in the event. However, you must alert the Event Supervisor that an alternate is competeting AND you must obtain permission for the alternate to compete after the fact. If the permission is not granted, then the scores will be vacated for your team in that event.

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  • Special Information for Division A Coaches

    Your team may include up to fifteen (15) students maximum – you will be limited to fifteen students the day of the Science Olympiad. Most events are organized for two students from each school team to participate—you will select two students to represent your school in the event. You may not send more than one pair of students to participate in any given event (see exception and note below). This often means that some students may represent your team in only one or two events.


    Exception: Some events allow more students to represent your team. This applies to the PastaMobile event, where up to four students may represent your team at the event.

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  • Be On Time to Events

    It is very important that your students be on time to the events in which they are scheduled to participate.


    For example, if there is a rotation between tasks or stations and the rotation has started by the time your students arrive, they may not be able to complete all tasks or stations.There may be important instructions or safety instructions that are given at the opening of the event–if your students miss those instructions, the event supervisor cannot be satisfied that the even twill be safe.


    If your students arrive late, and teh event has not started, they should not complain if they are barred from the event–it my look like it has not started, but important orientation may have already taken place Long experience shows that the Event Captains want every student to be successful and have the chance to participate. The decision of the Event Captian with respect to late arriving students is final.

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  • Consider the Walk Time Between Events in Your Planning

    The Forensics and Science Crime Busters events are located in the Criminology Building on campus. This is Building 43 on the Campus Map. You will notice that it is some distance from the other science buildings. You can also expect that some events will be held in the Fine Arts Building (#11) and Engineering Building (#9). This will increase the walk time between events.


    It may be prudent for students participating in the Forensics and Science Crime Busters events not to plan another event immediately before or after the event!


    Remember that skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, etc. are not allowed on campus.

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  • No Appeals Based on Late Arrivals

    Appeals based on the fact that your students arrived late for an event cannot be considered. As discussed above, some events may include flexibility for late arrival and some may not. Some events may allow for late arrival but a full score may not be possible for late arrivals.

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  • Food Services Update

    The food court on campus will be open from 9:00 - 4:00 during the Science Olympiad on Saturday. Teams are also welcome to bring sack lunches and snacks for team members. There is a vareity of vending machines on campus as well.Stoves of any kind are prohibited. Please do not plan to cook food on campus for your team members.Teams are welcome to bring ice chests, etc. and set-up a "home base" for their students. There is little shade in the plaza above the parking lot where most teams will set up their spot, so shade covers may be advised if you have access to one.



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  • Parking for Cars and Buses

    Parents may park in Parking Structure B (#12 on the campus map) directly below Greenlee Plaza; parking for cars is free.Buses may drop off students near the Administration Building on Paseo Rancho Casillia (if you are looking at the map on our website, it is near the words "Information Kiosk"). This location is north of the Welcome Center that sits in the middle of the street. There is a crosswalk in this location.Buses can then drive north to Parking Lot 5. This is a large, uncovered lot (not a parking structure). Parking for buses is also free.

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  • Campus Map

    Ships at sea and airplanes are advised not to navigate using this map. Autos, buses, and autobuses can use the map to find out where to go for registration and competition events. You can download a copy of the Campus Map.

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