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.

The Indiana Science Olympiad Executive Board met on Saturday, November 14. At this meeting, teams were assigned to regional tournaments – you should have heard from your regional director by now. We also discussed the rules for this season and several recommendations were made. The board voted to implement the following rule clarifications for all Indiana tournaments:

Can’t Judge A Powder (B)
Event supervisors WILL provide 1 molar sodium hydroxide.

Ornithology (B & C)
At Regional tournaments, teams may bring one published field guide, the OFFICIAL INDIANA REGIONAL BIRD LIST, and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed).

At State, teams may bring one published field guide, the OFFICIAL INDIANA STATE BIRD LIST, and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed).

Fossils (B & C)
At Regional and State tournaments, teams may bring one published field guide and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed).

FOR DIVISION B ONLY
All events that currently allow one page or more of resources WILL now allow one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed). The events that this affects are:
Anatomy
Bio-Process Lab
Disease Detectives
Dynamic Planet
Ecology
Fossils
Meteorology
Ornithology
Physical Science Lab (part II only)
Road Scholar
Science Crime Busters
Solar System
Shock Value

State Tournament Schedules
The State Tournament Director, wants you know that the tentative tournament schedules for the state tournament are now posted. These will be sent to our event supervisors for their blessing. Any necessary changes pertaining to the TIME SLOT events are scheduled before CHRISTMAS BREAK. After Christmas we hope the only changes that will be made will be location of events. To view the schedules, go to http://www.indiana.edu/~college/science/state2010/index.shtml

	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. Event Rules changed The Indiana Science Olympiad Executive Board met on Saturday, November 14. At this meeting, teams were assigned to regional tournaments – you should have heard from your regional director by now. We also discussed the rules for this season and several recommendations were made. The board voted to implement the following rule clarifications for all Indiana tournaments: Can’t Judge A Powder (B) Event supervisors WILL provide 1 molar sodium hydroxide. Ornithology (B & C) At Regional tournaments, teams may bring one published field guide, the OFFICIAL INDIANA REGIONAL BIRD LIST, and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed). Indiana Bird List for Regionals (PDF download) At State, teams may bring one published field guide, the OFFICIAL INDIANA STATE BIRD LIST, and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed). Indiana Bird List for State (PDF download) Fossils (B & C) At Regional and State tournaments, teams may bring one published field guide and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed). FOR DIVISION B ONLY All events that currently allow one page or more of resources WILL now allow one 3-ring binder. The materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings (sheet protectors are allowed). The events that this affects are: Anatomy Bio-Process Lab Disease Detectives Dynamic Planet Ecology Fossils Meteorology Ornithology Physical Science Lab (part II only) Road Scholar Science Crime Busters Solar System Shock Value State Tournament Schedules The State Tournament Director, wants you know that the tentative tournament schedules for the state tournament are now posted. These will be sent to our event supervisors for their blessing. Any necessary changes pertaining to the TIME SLOT events are scheduled before CHRISTMAS BREAK. After Christmas we hope the only changes that will be made will be location of events. To view the schedules, go to http://www.indiana.edu/~college/science/state2010/index.shtml Updated 30 November 2009	Menu
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