Event Updates

  • Compute This (Division B)

    Question: Do you know if the computers in the computer lab for Compute This is running the Window or Macintosh operating system? Do you know if the computers have Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word?

    Response: Room BS 236, where Compute This will be held, has computers that run the Windows operating system. Microsoft Windows and Excel are installed on each computer. (03/03/10)

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  • Self-Scheduled Event Clarification

    For Junkyard Challenge (Division B) and Mission Possible (C), the time a team signs up for is the performance time. For example, if a team signs up for 9:00 a.m. for Junkyard Challenge, the students should start setting up at 8:30 a.m. and run their device at 9:00 a.m.


    Students who do not show up 30 minutes prior to their performance time will still have to perform at the time for which they have signed up. They do not get extra time for set up.

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  • Don't Bug Me (Division A)

    Question: The Don't Bug Me event description states "Participants may develop and bring to the competition a key to aid them in answering these questions." The rules do not state any limitation on the size of the key, the number of pages, etc. Are there any limitations on the number or quantity of "resources?"

    Answer: The resource referred to in the rule is an identification key, not an extensive field guide or book. The key must be developed or made by the students. Duplicating pages out of a published field guide or from another identification key and pasting them together for the purpose of this event is not acceptable. To avoid any misunderstanding, the key should be in the student's own handwriting. (03/01/10)

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  • Bridge Building and Structures (Division A)

    Question: Can the students bring a thimble to make it easier to push the pins into the straws during the construction?

    Answer: Yes, students may bring and use a thimble to protect their fingers during the event.

    Note: the pins provided may be T-pins, based on similar experience with tender fingertips. (02/26/10)

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  • Trajectory (Division B/C)

    Question: I want to clarify the dimensions of the 70 cm cube. When the firing arm is up (armed) it fits within the 70 cm cube. When not armed it does not fit in the cube. Is this OK?

    Answer: Yes, the cube is 70 cm x 70 cm x 70 cm. According to rule 3b, "The launching device must fit within a 70 cm cube … prior to all launches." Thus, the only time the device has to fit inside the 70 cm cube is when the device is in its ready-to-launch position. (02/25/10)

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  • Physics Lab (Division C)

    NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE: A honeycomb material will NOT be placed in front of the fan (as was done at the 2009 Science Olympiad) in order to even out the wind space at different areas in front of the fan.

    Please notice in the schedule that there are two components for this event: a written exam and a device testing component. The device testing portion is a Self-Scheduled event; the exam is scheduled in standard assigned time slots.

    Online Sign-up for Device Testing: Remember to sign-up online for a competition time for the device testing if you plan to participate in the device testing portion. (02/24/10)


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  • Physical Science Lab (Division B)

    NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE: A honeycomb material will NOT be placed in front of the fan (as was done at the 2009 Science Olympiad) in order to even out the wind space at different areas in front of the fan.

    For the device testing portion of the event, there will be one multiple speed fan at one station. Each team will receive 5 minutes on each speed.

    Please notice in the schedule that there are two components for this event: a written exam and a device testing component. The device testing portion is a Self-Scheduled event; the exam is scheduled in standard assigned time slots.

    Online Sign-up for Device Testing: Remember to sign-up online for a competition time for the device testing if you plan to participate in the device testing portion. (02/24/10)


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  • Ornithology (Division A)
    Bird List
    Some of these birds may appear as part of the event, or in the text of the questions. This list may be added to and not all birds on this list will be included, but the list provides some focus for preparation. Questions may include identifying bird(s) by identifying the call.

    • Great Horned Owl
    • Great Grey Owl
    • Screech Owl
    • Red-tailed Hawk
    • Cooper’s Hawk
    • Chicken
    • House sparrow
    • Brewer’s Blackbird
    • Scrub Jay
    • Blue Jay
    • Rock dove
    • Common Flicker
    • Glided Flicker (race)
    • Woodpecker
    • Pileated Woodpecker
    • Hairy Woodpecker
    • Brown Pelican

    Tips and Updates
    Students should also have a general understanding of binoculars and how to focus them. Students should understand feather structure and categories of feathers. (02/24/10)
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  • It's About Time (Division C)

    Question: On the DVD from SOINC, there is a pendulum that is being run by a battery. The rules say no electrical parts. Do batteries not count? Could you make your own battery? You would need wires but would that count as electrical parts? Or must the clock be driven by water, sand or a spring?

    Answer: No batteries are allowed.

    Rule 3c states "The device may NOT utilize any electrical components or chemical reaction in order to operate except for a battery-operated electronic balance or scale used solely to determine mass."  This means that you cannot have batteries (see exception above) nor can you make your own batteries that use a chemical reaction.  NOTE: Information from soinc.org DVD's should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. The official rules in the Rules Manual take precedence. (01/21/10)

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  • Mousetrap Vehicle
    Section 3.b. should read "If any piece falls off during the run, it is considered a construction violation." (1/17/10) Return to top
  • Mission Possible
    Section 3.d. should read (see additions in bold): "Electric components shall be limited  to batteries, wires, motors, switches, resistors, capacitors, commercial photocells (i.e.cadmium sulfide (CdS) cell, photoresistors or light dependent resistors), mechanical relays, lightbulbs, and LEDs.  No computers or transistors will be permitted in the device." (11/9/09)

    Section     4.b. should read (see additions in bold): "Activate a photocell that allows current to flow to a motor, which leads to the next action." (11/9/09) Return to top
  • Physical Science Lab/Physics Lab
    Section 3.b. is correct as stated. The blade does have to have a maximum diameter between the numbers stated, but reads better if the word "maximum" is omitted. (10/17/09) Return to top
  • Fossils
    Section 3.l. chiton should read chitin. (10/17/09) Return to top
  • Anatomy & Physiology

    Section 3.b.x. Torricellis should read Torticollis. (9/25/09)

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  • Physics Lab

    The TOP TITLE for page 25 should read PHYSICS LAB. The contents of the page are correct. (9/25/09)

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  • Ornithology

    Official Bird List for 2010 (PDF) Note: Family added 9/29 Shrikes (Laniidae) for Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus (9/29/09)

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