Indiana Science Olympiad

Decisions regarding clarifications of event rules are made by the Rules Committee for the Executive Board of the Indiana Science Olympiad. It is expected that all tournaments in Indiana will use the event rules as published in the official Science Olympiad manuals, explained on the Official National Event Clarifications page, and as clarified by the Rules Committee on this page, as available.

Notice

"If it doesn't say you can't, then you can, AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES OR THE COMPETITION."

Note: Please contact the Director of your Tournament with questions regarding clarification of event rules. Directors of the individual tournaments will determine how these clarifications apply to their tournaments.

HOME SCHOOL POLICY

Science Olympiad is a team activity, not an individual one, so a home schooled child must be a member of a team. A team consists of up to 15 children. Participation is extended for Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 9-12).

Since there is no official method to determine what grade a home school child is in, we have established that a child’s equivalent grade will be determined by their birth date. Therefore, a child who will be eleven years old on September first, will be considered a sixth grade student and so forth. This calendar age will be used to determine eligibility for Division B and Division C. A child may compete with a higher division team than their age indicates, but not a lower one. For example, a tenth grade student can only compete in Division C while a sixth grade student could compete in Division B or even C. If a child has an academic relationship (such as taking a course) with a public or private school, they can only compete on that school’s team, and may not participate on the Home School Team. He/she may not be a member of a Home School Team even if that school, public or private, has no team. An exception would be providing a letter from that school’s principal saying that they could not compete on that school’s team whether or not there is a team. It is presumed that a Home School Team will be composed of children who have a pre-existing relationship of working together on a regular basis. We will require a statement from the coach as to the nature of that relationship. An “all star” team assembled by student abilities rather than by their preexisting regular study relationship, would not be allowed. Since this is a new aspect of the Indiana Science Olympiad, we may establish additional criteria as the home school activity materializes and unforeseen problems become apparent. Our desire is to provide this opportunity to as many children as possible while, at the same time, keeping the playing field level.

Alternates

Alternates may accompany the team to the tournament. Each tournament may specify how many alternates are allowed.

1) Alternates are in addition to the 15 team members.
2) There is no limit to the number of alternates.
3) Alternates replace full-team members when full-team members are absent and participate in the entire competition. They may not fill in for a regular team member for a single event because of a time conflict.
4) Alternates may participate in trial events.

Team Ties Broken

Ties are broken by which team has the most gold medals. If same, then Silver medals. Next is bronze medals, fourth place, fifth place, etc. until tie is broken.

Official Notice from Indiana

Invitational tournament support

Invitational tournaments are eligible to apply for up to $250 from the ISO. Directors may send a request for these funds to Robert Pribush (rpribush@butler.edu) You need to include a short statement of justification for how the funds are to be spent and a specific payee for the check.

Official Notice from National

Minor Clarifications to avoid DQs and what appeared to some teams as a contradiction in terms

Official Rules Clarifications are made only rarely for changes to the rules printed in the manuals. These Official Rules Clarifications apply to all states and all tournaments and originate at the national level.

Check your state web sites for special updates pertaining to your regional or state events.

Amphibians & Reptiles/Herpetology: A "Field Guide" (Section 2) is defined for Science Olympiad purposes as "A published manual (any size) which identifies objects in a class, usually natural things, for carrying in the field or classroom." (10/27/08)

Egg-O-Naut: A "free-fall recovery system" is any system that "recovers" an object from a free-fall state without violating section 2.g. Such objects as rubber-bands (springs, winders, batteries, magnets, etc.) may be used, but they must be in a zero energy state (unstretched) at the start-see 2.g. (10/27/08)

	Indiana Science Olympiad Exploring the World of Science

	Policies and Clarifications Decisions regarding clarifications of event rules are made by the Rules Committee for the Executive Board of the Indiana Science Olympiad. It is expected that all tournaments in Indiana will use the event rules as published in the official Science Olympiad manuals, explained on the Official National Event Clarifications page, and as clarified by the Rules Committee on this page, as available. Notice "If it doesn't say you can't, then you can, AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES OR THE COMPETITION." Note: Please contact the Director of your Tournament with questions regarding clarification of event rules. Directors of the individual tournaments will determine how these clarifications apply to their tournaments. HOME SCHOOL POLICY Science Olympiad is a team activity, not an individual one, so a home schooled child must be a member of a team. A team consists of up to 15 children. Participation is extended for Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 9-12). Since there is no official method to determine what grade a home school child is in, we have established that a child’s equivalent grade will be determined by their birth date. Therefore, a child who will be eleven years old on September first, will be considered a sixth grade student and so forth. This calendar age will be used to determine eligibility for Division B and Division C. A child may compete with a higher division team than their age indicates, but not a lower one. For example, a tenth grade student can only compete in Division C while a sixth grade student could compete in Division B or even C. If a child has an academic relationship (such as taking a course) with a public or private school, they can only compete on that school’s team, and may not participate on the Home School Team. He/she may not be a member of a Home School Team even if that school, public or private, has no team. An exception would be providing a letter from that school’s principal saying that they could not compete on that school’s team whether or not there is a team. It is presumed that a Home School Team will be composed of children who have a pre-existing relationship of working together on a regular basis. We will require a statement from the coach as to the nature of that relationship. An “all star” team assembled by student abilities rather than by their preexisting regular study relationship, would not be allowed. Since this is a new aspect of the Indiana Science Olympiad, we may establish additional criteria as the home school activity materializes and unforeseen problems become apparent. Our desire is to provide this opportunity to as many children as possible while, at the same time, keeping the playing field level. Alternates Alternates may accompany the team to the tournament. Each tournament may specify how many alternates are allowed. 1) Alternates are in addition to the 15 team members. 2) There is no limit to the number of alternates. 3) Alternates replace full-team members when full-team members are absent and participate in the entire competition. They may not fill in for a regular team member for a single event because of a time conflict. 4) Alternates may participate in trial events. Team Ties Broken Ties are broken by which team has the most gold medals. If same, then Silver medals. Next is bronze medals, fourth place, fifth place, etc. until tie is broken. Weather cancellations If a Regional has to be cancelled due to inclement weather, it will usually not be rescheduled. If a team cannot get to Regional or it was cancelled, every effort will be made to reschedule team(s) to a later Regional Tournament. If it is the last Regional, there is usually no recourse. There is no refund. Scoring Errors Overall scoring errors must be reported to the Director of the tournament within 48 hours of the awards ceremony. Individual events have a one hour maximum after the event is finished to file a complaint. NOTES on Events Official Notice from Indiana Invitational tournament support Invitational tournaments are eligible to apply for up to $250 from the ISO. Directors may send a request for these funds to Robert Pribush (rpribush@butler.edu) You need to include a short statement of justification for how the funds are to be spent and a specific payee for the check. Junkyard Challenge rules change The mystery items will be one of these: String, 1 meter 1 quarter Dixie Cup, 3 oz paper Ping-pong ball Rubber stopper, #6, no holes Official Notice from National Minor Clarifications to avoid DQs and what appeared to some teams as a contradiction in terms Gerard Putz [gjputz@sbcglobal.net] Monday, October 27, 2008 1:23 PM OFFICIAL RULES CLARIFICATIONS FOR 2009 Official Rules Clarifications are made only rarely for changes to the rules printed in the manuals. These Official Rules Clarifications apply to all states and all tournaments and originate at the national level. Check your state web sites for special updates pertaining to your regional or state events. Amphibians & Reptiles/Herpetology: A "Field Guide" (Section 2) is defined for Science Olympiad purposes as "A published manual (any size) which identifies objects in a class, usually natural things, for carrying in the field or classroom." (10/27/08) Egg-O-Naut: A "free-fall recovery system" is any system that "recovers" an object from a free-fall state without violating section 2.g. Such objects as rubber-bands (springs, winders, batteries, magnets, etc.) may be used, but they must be in a zero energy state (unstretched) at the start-see 2.g. (10/27/08) Updated 17 November 08	Menu
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