2015-2016 Science Olympiad Events
C = High School B = Middle School B/C = Both Levels
http://soinc.org/short_event_descriptions
EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
Air
Trajectory (B/C) - Prior to the competition, teams will design,
construct and calibrate a single device capable of launching projectiles
into a target and collect data regarding device parameters and
performance.
Anatomy & Physiology (B/C) -
This event encompasses the anatomy and physiology of selected body
systems, this year limited to skeletal, muscular and integumentary
systems.
Astronomy (C) - Teams will
demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of math and physics
relating to stellar evolution and star and planet formation.
Bio-Process
Lab (B) - A lab-oriented competition involving the fundamental science
processes of a middle school life science/biology lab program.
Bottle Rocket (B) - Prior to the tournament, teams construct two rockets designed to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time.
Bridge
Building (B/C) - Teams will design and build the lightest bridge with
the highest structural efficiency that can span a given opening meeting
the requirements given.
Cell Biology (C) -
This event integrates content knowledge and process skills in the areas
of cell biology and cellular biochemistry.
Chemistry
Lab (C) - Teams will demonstrate chemistry laboratory skills related to
kinetics, chemical reactions and stoichiometry.
Crave
The Wave (B) - Competitors will demonstrate knowledge and process
skills needed to solve problems and answer questions regarding all types
and areas of waves and wave motion.
Crime
Busters (B) - Teams will identify the perpetrators of a crime or crimes
by using paper chromatography and analysis of unknown solids, liquids,
and plastics found at the scene of a crime.
Disease
Detectives (B/C) - Students will use investigative skills in the
scientific study of disease, injury, health and disability in
populations or groups of people with a focus on population growth.
Dynamic
Planet (B/C) - Teams will use NGSS science and engineering practices to
complete tasks related to physical and geological oceanography.
Elastic
Launched Glider (B) - Students will design, build and test two elastic
launched gliders capable of the maximum time aloft.
Electric
Vehicle (C) - Teams must design, build and test one vehicle that uses
electrical energy as its sole means of propulsion to travel as quickly
as possible and stop close to a Target Point.
Experimental Design (B/C) - Given a set of unknown objects, teams will design, conduct, analyze and write-up an experiment.
Food
Science (B) - Teams will study the science behind milk products and
experiment with ingredients and physical parameters to produce and
analyze these products.
Forensics (C) - Students will identify polymers, solids, fibers, and other materials in a crime scenario.
Fossils
(B/C) - Teams will demonstrate their knowledge of ancient life by
identifying fossils and answering questions about classification,
habitat, ecologic relationships, behaviors, environmental adaptations
and the use of fossils to date and correlate rock units.
Game
On (C) - This event will determine a team's ability to design and build
an original computer game incorporating the theme provided to them by
the supervisor using the program Scratch.
GeoLogic
Mapping (C) - Students will demonstrate understanding in the
construction and use of topographic maps, geologic maps, cross sections
and their use in forming interpretations regarding subsurface structures
and geohazard risks.
Green Generation (B/C) -
Students will answer questions involving the history and consequences
of human impact on our environment, solutions to reversing trends and
sustainability concepts.
Hydrogeology (C) -
Students will manipulate a groundwater computer model, answer questions
about groundwater concepts, and evaluate solutions, based on
hydrogeological evidence, to reduce anthropogenic effects on
groundwater.
Invasive Species (B/C) - This event will test student knowledge of invasive species in local and national ecosystems.
It's
About Time (C) - Competitors may construct one non-electrical device to
measure time intervals between 10 and 300 seconds and answer questions
related to time.
Meteorology (B) - This
event involves the use of process skills to demonstrate a
multidisciplinary understanding of the Earth systems and anthropogenic
factors that influence world climate.
Mission
Possible (B) - Prior to the competition, participants will design,
build, test and document a Rube Goldberg-like device that completes a
required Final Task through an optional series of simple machines.
Picture
This (B) - Team members will take turns drawing representations of a
set of scientific terms/concepts (not scientists) while the other team
member guesses the term being drawn.
Protein Modeling (C) - Students will use computer visualization and online resources to construct physical models of proteins.
Reach
for the Stars (B) - Students will demonstrate an understanding of the
properties and evolution of stars especially star forming regions and
supernova remnants and their observation with different portions of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
Road Scholar
(B) - Teams will answer interpretive questions that may use one or more
state highway maps, USGS topographic maps, Internet-generated maps, a
road atlas or satellite/aerial images.
Robot
Arm (C) - Prior to the competition, teams must design, build, document
and test one robotic device to move scoreable items.
Scrambler
(B) - Competitors must design, build and test a mechanical device which
uses the energy from a falling mass to transport an egg along a track
as quickly as possible and stop as close to the center of a terminal
barrier without breaking the egg.
Wind Power
(B/C) - Teams will build a blade assembly that consists of any kind of
propeller/pinwheel/rotor attached to a CD which will be used to capture
wind power. Students will also be tested on their knowledge relating to
alternative energy.
Wright Stuff (C) - Prior
to the competition teams design, construct and test free flight
rubber-powered monoplanes to achieve maximum time aloft.
