To gain access to Virginia State Science Olympiad Regional tests, please click on the link accompanying each event.
For questions regarding website/test links please contact: Anirudh Khandelwal
2009 Science Olympiad Event Descriptions.
The content and expectations are in general significantly more advanced for events in Division C than Division B.
(B) refers to a Division B event (C ) refers to a Division C event (B/C) the event is both Division B and C
Amphibians and Reptiles/Herpetology (B/C) - This event will test knowledge of amphibians, turtles, crocodiles and reptiles. Students knowledge may be tested at stations where actual specimens may be observed or in some circumstances pictures may be examined.
Link to Division B Regional Test
Link to Division C Regional Test
Anatomy (B) - Teams will be tested on their knowledge of anatomy and health concepts as they are related to the structure and function of the skeletal system and the effects of aging and diseases on them. This event may be presented in the form of a paper/pencil style academic test, but may also consist of a series of timed lab stations each with specimens for analysis.
Link to Regional Test
Astronomy (C) - Teams will use mathematics and physics to demonstrate their understanding of variable stars and solve astronomy problems. This event may be set up in stations. Representative activities include identifying stellar phenomena, applying kepler’s laws, and identifying light curves to name a few.
Link to Regional Test
Bio-Process Lab (B) - Teams will demonstrate biology laboratory skills related to selected topics at a series of stations. Students will be required to use tools and instruments commonly used in biological research to make observations, collect data, perform calculations, and draw conclusions.
Link to Regional Test
Cell Biology (C) - Students will demonstrate their understanding of cell biology and biochemistry through a series of lab based practical activities. Sample activities may include a analysis of macromolecules important for life, analyzing the results of a gel electrophoresis, determining the effects of pH and temperature on the function of enzymes.
Link to Regional Test
Chemistry Lab (C) - Teams will demonstrate chemistry laboratory skills focused on the selected topics of acids, bases and titration analysis. This event is hands on and requires that students use proper lab safety. Students will be assessed based on the accuracy of the data that they collect during the lab portion of the event.
Link to Regional Test
Compute This (B) - Teams will be presented with a problem which requires quantitative data capture from the Internet and the presentation of data in a graphical format with the use of a computer on site. Students will then be required to answer a series of questions relating to the data set which they have collected and analyzed. This year students will collect data from the United States Geological Survey web domain (www.USGS.gov)
Crave the Wave (B) - Students will demonstrate their understanding of waves and wave motion. This event will incorporate a mixture problem solving questions requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of introductory wave concepts and hands on tasks. Some questions may ask students to use mathematics to problem solve.
Link to Regional Test
Disease Detective (B/C) - This event requires students to apply principles of epidemiology to a published report of a real-life health situation or problem related to how population growth impacts public health. The Centers for Disease Control is the official national sponsor for this event. More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/excite
Link to Division B Regional Test
Link to Division C Regional Test
Dynamic Planet (B/C) - Teams will work at stations that display a variety of earth science materials and related earth science questions with special emphasis placed on earthquakes and volcanoes.
Link to Division B Regional Test
Link to Division C Regional Test
Ecology (B/C) - Students will answer questions involving content knowledge and process skills in the area of ecology and adaptation by examining different ecosystems. This year special emphasis will be placed on grassland and desert ecology.
Link to Division B Regional Test
Egg-O-Naut (C) - Teams will design, construct and launch water rockets to stay aloft and carry a raw egg without breaking. Points will be awarded based on time aloft in the air, and whether or not the egg remains intact following the landing.
Electric Vehicle (C) - Students will construct a vehicle that uses electrical energy as its sole mean of propulsion. A great deal of experimentation is required for this event as students will be assessed on whether or not they can predict the amount of time it will take their vehicle to move from point A to point B. Students are expected to maintain a log of their trials and a detailed description of they have manipulated their vehicle. Link to Score Sheet
Elevated Bridge (B/C) - Teams will design, build & test the bridge with the greatest efficiency. The efficiency of the bridge is equal to the mass of the load it successfully held divided by the mass of the bridge. Bridges are constructed from wood such as balsa or bass as explained fully in the official rules. The design and build phase will take place at home or in the classroom while the testing phase is conducted onsite at the competition. Link to Score Sheet
Environmental Chemistry (B/C) - Teams will be asked questions pertaining to environmental chemistry, which may include chemical reactions, characterization, and quantification. This year students will be required to analyze the chemical makeup of soils and predict the maximum yield of certain plants if grown in those soils. This event is a lab based event. Link to Division C Regional Test
Experimental Design (B/C) - Given a set of unknown objects, teams will design, conduct, analyze and write-up a valid experiment which contains a set of variables, constants, and control.
Link to Division B Regional Test
Link to Division C Regional Test
Forensics (C) – In this lab based event students will act as forensic examiners analyzing crime scene evidence. Using techniques practiced throughout the year students will identify polymers, solids, fibers, and other materials and attempt to solve a crime scenario provided. Teams will be assessed on the accuracy of their analysis of the evidence and the conclusions they drew.
Fossils (B/C) - Students will identify, describe, and classify various fossil specimens at a series of stations. A list of all possible fossils that will be used in this event may be found on the national event resources page for fossils at http://soinc.org/fossils_c
Link to Division B Test
Health Science (C) - Teams will be tested on their knowledge of anatomy and health concepts as they are related to the structure and function of the skeletal system and the effects of aging and diseases on them. This event may be presented in the form of a paper/pencil style academic test, but may also consist of a series of timed lab stations each with specimens for analysis. Link to Regional Test
It's About Time (C) – Teams must design and construct a non-electrical device capable of accurately measuring time in intervals between 10 and 300 seconds. For judging students must demonstrate the operation of their time keeping device which they have constructed prior to event day and answer a set of questions pertaining to time-keeping, astronomy, physics and mechanics. Junkyard Challenge (C) - Students will partially pre-construct an device with final construction and adaptation onsite to complete a published challenge.
Meteorology (B) - This event involves the use of process skills as applied to the field of meteorology. Students will demonstrate their understanding of earth and planetary systems that impact climate. Emphasis will be placed on how changing conditions on earth have contributed to climate change in the past and ongoing changes to Earth’s climate today. Link at Regional Test
Pentathlon (B) - Teams will compete in an academic pentathlon to demonstrate their overall understanding of five major science content areas (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science and the Nature of Science).
Physical Science Lab (B) – Teams will demonstrate physics laboratory skills related to alternative energy sources. Students will build a wind driven propeller capable of generating voltage when exposed to wind currents. Link to Regional Test
Physics Lab (C) - Teams will demonstrate their physics lab skills in a series of lab practical tasks or one longer lab related to the topics of work, energy and power. Students must know and understand vocabulary related to the topics above and may be required to perform mathematical calculations. Lab tasks will include the collecting and analysis of data. Link to Regional Test
Picture This (C) – A team of up to 3 students will work together to guess a series of science vocabulary terms that one of their teammates has represented in a drawing. This event is similar to the classic home game of pictionary with a science twist. Terms used will not include the name of a scientist. Teamwork is essential for this event.
Reach for the Stars (B) - Teams will identify stars, constellations, and deep sky objects and be knowledgeable about their evolutionary stages. This event may include a series of stations requiring students to demonstrate process skills in this area observation of stellar phenomena from inside a planetarium.
Remote Sensing (C) - Teams use maps and remote sensing technology, science and mathematics to explain human impact on the Earth and an understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming. Students should expect to analyze data sets and draw conclusions based upon the data provided.
Road Scholar (B) - Requires the accurate interpretation and understanding of various map features using a variety of road and topographic maps. Students must also generate their own map using a map scale, the public land survey system and USGS official map symbols.
Robo-Cross (B) - Students will design and build a robot capable of performing certain tasks. This year’s task involves moving prescribed items into various scoring areas on an outlined playing field. Competitors earn points for each item moved into a scoring zone.
Science 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. This is a lab based event that may include a series of stations. The use of forensic equipment including a microscope is required during evidence analysis. Link to Regional Test
Scrambler (B) - Teams will design and build a mechanical device which uses the energy from a falling mass to transport a Grade A uncooked chicken egg along a straight track. A wall has been placed directly at the end of the track. Teams earn the most points if their scrambler comes closest to the wall without breaking the egg. The scrambler is designed and built and pretested prior to competition. Official scoring takes place on competition day. Link to Score Sheet
Technical Problem Solving (C) - Teams will gather and process data to solve problems at a series of up to 5 lab stations. Students may apply mathematics to analyze a data set and should expect to use advanced technology at each station including probes, sensors, computers etc. Accuracy and precision in data collection and analysis are key to success in this event. The representative lab stations could incorporate concepts from all of the fundamental areas of science including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science.
Trajectory (B/C) - Teams will design, construct, calibrate and operate a device capable of launching a projectile into a target using energy provided by nonmetallic elastic solids. The design and construction occurs prior to competition but final testing occurs in competition phase.
Wright Stuff (B) - Teams will design and build a rubber band propelled aerodynamic device. Teams earn points based on their device’s time aloft. Link to Score Sheet
Write It/Do It (B/C) - A technical writing exercise where students write a description of a contraption and other students will attempt to recreate it using only the written description from a duplicate set of pieces.