Policies and Guidelines

The following code of ethics is provided by the National Science Olympiad. The Missouri Science Olympiad program follows this code.

GENERAL RULES, CODE OF ETHICS AND SPIRIT OF THE PROBLEM

V. 2019 (note changes in bold)

The goal of competition is to give one's best effort while displaying honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship. Everyone is expected to display courtesy and respect (see Science Olympiad Pledges below). Teams are expected to make an honest effort to follow the rules and the spirit of the problem (not interpret the rules so they have an unfair advantage). Failure by a participant, coach, or guest to abide by these codes, accepted safety procedures, or rules below, may result in an assessment of penalty points or, in rare cases, disqualification by the tournament director from the event, the tournament, or future tournaments.

1. Actions and items (e.g., tools, notes, resources, supplies, electronics, etc.) are permitted, unless they are explicitly excluded in the rules, are unsafe, or violate the spirit of the problem.

2. While competing in an event, participants may not leave without the event supervisor's approval and must not receive any external assistance. All electronic devices capable of external communication as well as calculator applications on multipurpose devices (e.g. laptop, phone, tablet) are not permitted unless expressly permitted in the event rule or by an event supervisor. Cell phones, if not permitted, must be turned off. At the discretion of the event supervisor, participants may be required to place their cell phones in a designated location.

3. Participants, coaches and other adults are responsible for ensuring that any applicable school or Science Olympiad policy, law or regulation is not broken. All Science Olympiad content (e.g., policies, requirements, clarifications, FAQs, etc. on soinc.org) must be treated as if itwere included in the printed rules.

4. All pre-built devices presented for judging must be constructed, impounded, and operated by one or more of the 15 current team members unless stated otherwise in the rules. If a device has been removed from the event area, appeals related to that device will not be considered.

5. Officials are encouraged to apply the least restrictive penalty for rules infractions (see examples in the Scoring Guidelines). Event supervisors must provide prompt notification of any penalty, disqualification or tier ranking.

6. State and regional tournament directors must notify teams of any site-dependent rule or other rule modification with as much notice as possible, ideally at least 30 days prior to the tournament.

The following is National Science Olympiad policy regarding constructed devices. The Missouri Science Olympiad will follow all national policies regarding constructed devices.

CONSTRUCTED DEVICES

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON BUILDING AND THE USE OF TOOLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND ETHICS OF SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

The underlying principles and intent of the Science Olympiad establish a mandated student performance. Any project, device or assembly is to be constructed by a student or team of students. The Rules and Code of Ethics of the Science Olympiad declares, “One or more of a 15-member team must have constructed all pre-built devices presented for judging.” The process of design and resultant product is the students’ responsibility. All components must be made by the student or, if permissible by the event rules, available by purchase. Students will assemble the device.

SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE USE OF TOOLS

Safety shall be of paramount importance. Students will be encouraged to use tools and technology within their age-related safety range. Certain tools and methods may be hazardous and beyond the abilities of various age groups. Specific tools may include of this sort might be power drills and saws, wood or metal lathes, welding equipment, milling machines or metal casting equipment. The use of chemicals should also follow age-appropriate use rules.

GUIDELINES FOR ADULT MENTORING

Adults may act as facilitators in the building process by asking questions, offering ideas or suggestions and providing references. The adult assistance may include teaching underlying principles, skills, use of tools and adherence to safety rules. No component of the project shall be constructed or assembled by an adult. The student must prepare the entire structure, including accompanying charts, graphs or notes. However, Science Olympiad endorses adult mentoring of teams and realizes that adults do instruct students on proper techniques on the use of tools. Providing an adult does not interfere with, alter, build or compromise the student or group design, adults MAY assist by performing restricted tasks not available to a student (such as drilling a hole in a metal plate or operating a power saw). This type of limited help does not compromise the integrity of a student-built device.

INVESTIGATION OF SUSPECTED VIOLATION OF BUILDING AND TOOLS

RECOMMENDATIONS

Tournament officials must rely on the integrity of principals, coaches, students and parents involved in Science Olympiad. Astute and professional Event Supervisors will be able to evaluate student compliance as such:

• Event supervisors may extensively question the lead student as to the design and construction of the device. Questioning may include the overall design and construction as well as the component parts and how they operate and function within the device. Other students on the device team may also be questioned.

• Each team coach will be required to certify that all work presented for the tournament complies with the Building and the Use of Tools Recommendations.

SANCTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED PARTICIPATION

If the students on the device team cannot answer the questions correctly and/or the coach cannot verify the device was student-built, then the Event Supervisors have grounds to believe the students did not design and build the device. The team will be disqualified from the event and scored accordingly.

Amended July 20, 2008

Original Adoption 1986

The following information is provided by the National Science Olympiad. The Missouri Science Olympiad will follow all national guidelines regarding the use of approved eye protection.

This Policy was updated July 29, 2015 and applies to all 2016 Science Olympiad Rules in Divisions B & C. Please make a note of the new classification of Categories A, B and C.

Purpose: This policy provides details regarding EYE PROTECTION in those events where an Event Rule requires Eye Protection. The objective is to choose the type of protection specific to the task.

Competitor/Coach Responsibilities: Competitors are responsible for providing their own protective eyewear. Science Olympiad is unable to determine the degree of hazard presented by equipment, materials and devices brought by the teams. Coaches must ensure the eye protection competitors bring is adequate for the hazard. All protective eyewear must bear the manufacturer's mark Z87. Teams without adequate eye protection must be given a chance to obtain eye protection if their assigned time permits. Teams must not be allowed to compete without adequate eye protection. This is non-negotiable.

Corresponding Standards: Protective eyewear used in Science Olympiad must be manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard applicable at its time of manufacture. The current standard is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015. Competitors, coaches and event supervisors are not required to acquire a copy of the standard. The information in this document is sufficient to comply with current standards. Water is not a hazardous liquid and its use does not require protective eyewear unless it is under pressure or substances that create a hazard are added.

Examples of Non-Compliant Eyewear:

• Face shields/visors are secondary protective devices and are not approved in lieu of the primary eye protection devices below regardless of the type of vents they have.

• Prescription Glasses containing safety glass should not be confused with safety spectacles. "Safety glass" indicates the glass is made to minimize shattering when it breaks. Unless these glasses bear the Z87 mark they are not approved for use.

Compliant Eyewear Categories: 

If an event requires eye protection, the rules will identify one of these three categories - as simple as ABC:

CATEGORY A

• Description: Non-impact protection. They provide basic particle protection only

• Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87

• Examples: Safety glasses; Safety spectacles with side shields; and Particle protection goggles (these seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes and have direct vents around the sides, consisting of several small holes or a screen that can be seen through in a straight line)

CATEGORY B

• Description: Impact protection. They provide protection from a high inertia particle hazard (high mass or velocity)

• Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87+

• Example: High impact safety goggles

CATEGORY C

• Description: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles. These seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes and have indirect vents constructed so that liquids do not have a direct path into the eye (or no vents at all). If you are able to see through the vent holes from one side to the other, they are NOT indirect vents

• Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87 (followed by D3 is the most modern designation but, it is not a requirement)

• Example: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles

Notes:

1. A goggle that bears the Z87+ mark and is an indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggle will qualify for all three Categories A, B & C

2. VisorGogs do not seal completely to the face, but are acceptable as indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles

Seniors that are a member in good standing and meet all eligibility requirements to be a member of a school's Science Olympiad team will not lose their eligibility if they choose to graduate at the semester. Seniors who graduate at the semester may remain on their school's Science Olympiad team for the remainder of the competition season. Note that if a school does allow a graduated senior to remain on their team this individual will count toward the limit of seven seniors on a team.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

The following guidelines and procedures will be applied by Event Supervisors and Tournament Officials with regard to each event.

1. Raw Scores and Ranks: All teams who participate in an event must be scored and ranked as specified in the event rules. Follow the tournament director’s instructions for recording and reporting this data (e.g. via a website, paper form, etc).

2. Tie Breakers: All ties must be broken for the ranks to be awarded medals.  If a tie for non-medal ranks can't be broken, award points according to the place tied and then skip the next place (e.g. 3 teams tied for 10th place, the next team would be 13th).

3. Sort Orders: Since different events are scored differently, be sure to note whether high scores or low scores are better in term of rank assignment, both for the raw score as well as for the tie breakers.

4. Penalties: Follow the guidelines in the event rules with regard to penalties.  When there is ambiguity or uncertainty, note that General Rule # 5 says “Officials are encouraged to apply the least restrictive penalty for rules infractions”.  See examples below.

5. Tiers: Teams/devices that do not meet the requirements in the event rules must be allowed to compete if possible and are to be notified, scored, and ranked below those who met all of the specifications if specified as so in the rules (“tiered”).

6. Participation Points: Teams making an honest attempt to participate that cannot be assigned a raw score (e.g. safety hazard, mechanical failure, wrong dimensions, etc.) must be listed as a “P” for Participation as the raw score and rank.

7. No Shows: Teams that do not show up or make an honest attempt to participate must be listed as a “NS” for No Show as the raw score and rank. This includes teams who may be present but display no preparation for the competition.

8. Disqualifications: It is extremely rare for a DQ to be implemented.  Teams that egregiously misbehave/cheat (e.g. excessive vulgar language, Code of Ethics issues, extreme safety violation, etc.), must be listed as a “DQ” for Disqualified as the raw score and rank. This action will disqualify the affected participant/team from participation and scoring in that event only.

9. Team Notification: Any team that is DQed, Tiered, or issued a significant penalty must be informed as soon as possible (e.g. tell the participant/team if still present in the competition area, notify the coach if the competitor is no longer in the vicinity, etc.).

10. Event Documentation: Event Supervisors are expected to provide raw scores and any documentation (answer sheets, answer key, etc.) to the Tournament Scoring team as soon as possible after the event is done.  Help is available at the tournament HQ to grade or tally results. 

11. Score Counseling: Supervisors should plan on spending at least 20 minutes after you and any assistants complete scoring all team materials following a process of turning in all materials that contribute to scoring (e.g. tests, answer keys, device checklists, etc.), checking scores, and documenting penalties, tiers, etc. to ensure no mistakes are present in the results tabulation.

OVERALL TOURNAMENT

The following guideline and procedures will be applied by Event Supervisors and Tournament Officials with regard to determining the overall outcome for teams at a given tournament.

1. Team Points: For each event at the tournament, team points corresponding to the event rank are assigned to that team (e.g.  5thplace = 5 points). The sum of the points equals the team score, which determines the overall team rank (lower is better).

2. Points for Participation, No Shows, and Disqualification: Participation (P) ranks are assigned points equal to the number of teams that competed in the tournament in each division.  No Show (NS) ranks are assigned one more point than Participation points.  Disqualification (DQ) ranks are assigned one more than No Show. (e.g. at Nationals, P=60 points, NS=61 points, DQ=62 points)

3. Team Tie Breakers: All ties must be broken for the team ranks to be awarded trophies. Ties are broken based upon the number of 1st places, then 2nd places, etc. (e.g. Team A with two 1st and five 3rd places loses to Team B with two 1st and one 2nd place).

4. Scoring Errors: Unless otherwise specified by the tournament director, results announced at the Awards Ceremony are tentative and may change if scoring errors are brought to the attention of the arbitrators within one hour after the results are announced.  If changes occur, appropriate medals and trophies will be awarded.  Teams will not be asked to return awards given at the ceremony.

5. Publication of Final Results: Tournament directors may make final results available via hard copy, email, or website postings.

EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE PENALTIES

While it is the expectation of Science Olympiad that all participants, coaches, and teams will exceed all expectations regarding following the Rules for each event as well as overall conduct and behavior at a tournament as spelled out in the Code of Ethics, applicable Pledges and other relevant communications we do recognize that mistakes and errors can occur. In such situations, Event Supervisors and Tournament officials will refer to the Event and General Rules to determine the appropriate response. The following example penalties are provided to give guidance to Event Supervisors and Tournament Officials where Event and General Rules allow them discretion in their actions. These examples are provided to be illustrative and informative and in no way should they constrain Event Supervisors or Tournament Officials in their decision making. Event Supervisors or Tournament Officials are fully empowered to use their judgement and knowledge of the situation to determine the best course of action in compliance with the Event and General Rules, the Code of Ethics and applicable Pledges.

Updated as of 9/03/21.

It is recommended that all public school students may participate in Science Olympiad only as members of a team that is formed in the local public school that they attend. However, very small schools in the same state may combine students to form one team if and only if the total enrollment of the combined schools is less than 300 students. This policy only applies to public schools.

Missouri follows the national Science Olympiad policy regarding students that wish to compete in Science Olympiad that are below the minimum grade level for a division. The national policy for below grade level competition:

Science Olympiad encourages students to participate in the Division that matches current Science Olympiad grade level designations. However, to support the inclusion of students who wish to participate in Science Olympiad, schools with grade levels lower than those stated in a Division are permitted to invite members below the grade level designations. (A K-8 school could enlist a Division B team of all 5th graders) Participation is limited to age-appropriate events (as determined by a coach, principal or tournament director) and prohibited where safety is a concern (such as the use of chemicals).

Guidelines for Students with Disabilities on Science Olympiad Teams 

Students with Disabilities at School

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including federal funds. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) enforces Section 504 in programs and activities that receive funds from ED. Recipients of these funds include public school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local education agencies.

Learn more:

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html

While participating in Science Olympiad team practice at a school, a student with disabilities should be afforded their agreed-upon accommodations according to his/her 504 or IEP Plan (extracurricular activities of the school, including sports and academic clubs, are part of this protection). Note that inclusion as part of a Science Olympiad team does not in any way guarantee a student’s place on a competition roster. Team selection is the purview of a team coach.

Learn more about how this applies to school athletics:

http://www.niaaa.org/doe-re-extracurricular-athletics-for-disabled-students/

Students with Disabilities at Science Olympiad Tournaments

Science Olympiad is a private 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, and therefore is not required by law to provide at off-site Science Olympiad Tournaments the exact accommodations that public schools provide under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. That being said, for the past 30+ years Science Olympiad has been extremely supportive of including students with disabilities on Science Olympiad teams. Thousands of examples exist of students with disabilities joining Science Olympiad, then learning, thriving, and winning! The wide variety of Science Olympiad content allows students with disabilities to select STEM events that showcase their skills. Science Olympiad is by definition a TEAM activity, therefore a student with a disability can work with another student to assist with tasks like moving, reading, writing, or doing hands-on lab tasks. Rely on each other’s strengths!

Here are some guidelines for Coaches and Tournament Directors for students with disabilities hoping to compete at a Science Olympiad Tournament; these are suggestions only and should not be considered or quoted as policy:

• Each instance of a student with a disability requesting accommodations at a Science Olympiad tournament should be reviewed and handled on an individual, case-by-case basis.

• A Science Olympiad team coach (not a parent) should reach out to the Science Olympiad Tournament Director to share information, as approved by the student and student’s family, about the Science Olympiad team member’s school- verified, on-file need for accommodation, at least one month (suggested) in advance of competition.

• A list of potential events the student will participate in should be shared with the Tournament Director, and accommodations can be discussed. Event Supervisors must be given time to address and potentially meet the accommodation request.

• No student with a disability or a coach should approach an Event Supervisor on the day of competition to request accommodations (needs time to verify and plan); requests need to go through the Tournament Director.

• Science Olympiad is not mandated to provide interpreters, readers, or other individuals to provide services on-site.

• Not every accommodation afforded by a school to a student with disabilities can be replicated in a Science Olympiad setting due to format, cost, or safety regulations. Not every request for accommodation can or will be granted at a Science Olympiad Tournament.

• Students with disabilities may bring their own assistive technology if it does not interfere with the running of the Science Olympiad event or affect the safety of the student or other students. Separate rooms may be considered for participation.

• Sample types of accommodation include: given advance notice, an Event Supervisor prints out a large-font-size test or allows a magnifying device (assistive technology) to be brought in by a student who is visually impaired; a hearing impaired student might bring and use an amplification system, or be accompanied by an interpreter.

• Being granted an accommodation for a Science Olympiad event does not guarantee placement on the Science Olympiad team roster; those decisions are made solely at the school/building level.

Drafted by the Science Olympiad Executive Board January 2016

Below is the National Science Olympiad policy regarding team qualification. The Missouri Science Olympiad will follow this policy.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NATIONAL POLICY ON TEAM QUALIFICATION AND HOME SCHOOLS

This policy provides guidelines that are to be used with all schooling options and in all states. Primary enrollment at a school will be determined by what school holds the student's records and matriculates the student (a general definition of primary enrollment), and a student may only be primarily enrolled at a single school.

A TEAM ENDEAVOR

Science Olympiad requires all participants in Science Olympiad competitions to participate as members of a team, not as individuals.

PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Public school students may participate in Science Olympiad only as members of a team that is formed in the local public school that they attend. In the case of 9th graders, public school students may compete on the team from the middle school that they most recently attended. Public school students may not opt to participate on another school’s team.

PRIVATE, CHARTER AND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Private schools, “governor” schools, charter schools, and any other school that is qualified by the state and is housed in a single geographic location, may form Science Olympiad teams from among the students in their student body, regardless of where that student's home of origin is located. Such schools may not solicit or enlist public school or home-schooled students on their teams.

CYBER OR VIRTUAL SCHOOL (ONLINE) STUDENTS

Option 1 - Participation through a Local Public School If the state in which a cyber/virtual school student resides allows cyber/virtual school students to participate in local public school activities, cyber/virtual school students may either (1) choose to participate as a member of the Science Olympiad team at the local public school they would attend were they not enrolled in the cyber/virtual school, or (2) form a cyber/virtual school team from among the students in that school's student body as if they were students in a private/charter school as set forth above. A student may only participate on a single team. 

Option 2 - Participation solely through a State-Recognized Cyber or Virtual School If the state in which a cyber/virtual school student resides recognizes and financially supports cyber/virtual schools, Science Olympiad will also recognize cyber/virtual school teams consisting only of students who are enrolled at that cyber/virtual school. Such schools may not solicit or enlist public school, private school or home-schooled students on their teams.

HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS

Option 1 - Participation through a Local Public School If the state in which a home schooled student resides allows home schooled students to participate in public school activities, home schooled students may either (1) choose to participate as a member of the Science Olympiad team at the local public school they would attend were they not home schooled, or (2) form a home school team as set forth in Option #2, below. Note: Missouri Senate Bill 63 does allow homeschool students to participate in activities at the public school they would attend if not homeschooled. Science Olympiad does fall under the included activities of this bill.

Option 2 - Participation through a Home School Team Science Olympiad will recognize Home School Teams consisting only of students who live within the boundaries of two contiguous (side-by-side) geographic counties in a single state. As of July 20, 2011, the two-contiguous-county/single state policy will apply to all Science Olympiad Home School Teams who wish to attend to the Science Olympiad National Tournament and Science Olympiad will no longer qualify multi-county or multi-state Home School Teams. (This home school portion of the policy was adopted in 2008 and a three year grace period of qualification followed.)

REGISTERING AND QUALIFYING TEAMS

The state Science Olympiad organization is responsible for registering and qualifying all Science Olympiad teams. In the case of a public, private, charter, cyber or other alternative school Science Olympiad team, a roster signed by the principal of the school is considered proper validation. In the case of a Home School Team, a roster signed by the President of the home school association or the head of the independent home school is considered proper validation.

INVESTIGATION OF TEAM QUALIFICATIONS

If a state Science Olympiad organization suspects that a team is comprised of students who are not members of that school’s student body or that a team is not legitimate, the Science Olympiad State Director may ask the coach to provide verification of that team’s qualifications as follows:

• A public, private, virtual or charter school student’s qualification may be verified by some form of school identification, school roster, recent report card, evidence of residence in the school district or other similar documents appropriate to the situation.

• A home-schooled student’s qualification may be verified by the student’s annual notice of intent to home school and some proof of residency within two contiguous designated counties.

State Directors or officials may not contact individual students to determine qualification. All inquires must go through official channels that are relevant to and can confirm the student's enrollment status, such as the administrative offices of a school district, private school, charter school or virtual school, or the registered Home School Team coach or head of an independent home school.

SANCTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED PARTICIPATION

If, after investigation, the State Director determines that a team or its members are not qualified, it may impose a sanction that may include disqualification of a student team member, disqualification of a team coach, or a team’s disqualification from a tournament. In the event of multiple cases of disqualification, a coach or team may be barred from future competition.

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Reviewed at the Annual State Directors Meeting on May 23, 2011

Ratified August 29, 2011, by the Science Olympiad Executive Board