RULES CLARIFICATIONS

general rule clarifications Last update April 9

Urgent Update for National Qualifiers

For the National Tournament in May, USC legal recently informed Science Olympiad that teams will need a minimum number of team chaperones to undergo a manual fingerprint background check process in order to comply with California’s law AB506 which includes stringent Youth Protection policies. This requirement covers all out-of-state teams even if you had visited USC to attend a recent 2024, 2025, or 2026 Science Olympiad 

Invitational Tournament where you were able to stipulate background checkshad been performed for team chaperones. USC has said they will not allow Science Olympiad teams to set foot on campus if they don’t get this task done, even though they knew our tournaments end just one month before the big event!

While we were surprised by this time-sensitive, intensive requirement, we know that you have the capability to clear this high bar. So, let’s get to work!

Citing AB506, The University of Southern California Office of Youth Protection is requiring a minimum ratio of chaperones traveling with Science Olympiad teams to complete an FBI-level hard-card fingerprint scan and return it to USC. (In-state residents can perform Live Scans digitally.) USC will send you instructions, a set of physical fingerprint cards, and a postage-paid return envelope. They want your fingerprint form mailed back by May 2, 2026, in order for the DOJ to clear your prints.

Two rules off the bat:

• ALL adults staying in the dorms with the kids MUST complete the fingerprint process, pass the check and do the online training.

• The chaperone may be ANY person over the age of 18 traveling with your team who is not a competitor that can complete the fingerprint process, pass the check and do the and online training – this is SUCH A GREAT TASK to assign to team parents and mentors – it does not have to be the head coach from the school.

The Ratio of Fingerprint Card chaperones per Science Olympiad team is:

• Division B, (age 9-14) 1:10 ratio of chaperones to students (2 to meet, 3 if you have more than 20).

• Division C (age 15-under 18), 1:12 ratio of chaperones to students (1-2 to meet depending on how many seniors +18 will be present; if you bring 7 seniors who turn 18 before 5/21/26, then you may only need 1 adult chaperone to go through the process). Please count carefully!

To get hard-card fingerprinted using the FBI background check form FD-258, you need to visit your local police station or a private fingerprinting company! USC will then use the information to perform a background check through the Department of Justice,which you must pass. You will also have to share your social security number and date of birth and complete a two-hour online training module. Teams will have VERY SHORT NOTICE to complete this task. The late April tournaments will have to respond to this request urgently; we know this is stressful!

Each team will be responsible for assigning the coach fingerprint card task and reporting to USC. Again, any 18+ adult staying in the USC dorms MUST return the fingerprint card – no passed check, no entry. USC has a dashboard system that they will be watching carefully; if they do not see two green checks indicating two passed

background checks – they have told us that your Science Olympiad team will be prevented from competing.

A Parachute!

Naturally, we were extremely upset to learn that any team could potentially be turned away from our National Tournament especially after working so hard all year. We have found an acceptable emergency solution that can be used by for teams who cannot get their fingerprint cards cleared in time and are not staying on campus in the dorms.

California Science Olympiad is creating a pool of Live Scanned chaperones (sympathetic Los Angeles teachers, USC and other campus Science Olympiad Alumni club members) who can accompany your team to the STEM Expo, Friday Opening Ceremony and Saturday’s competition day and Closing Ceremony (basically anytime your team is on the USC campus). We are calling this the Chaperone Bullpen – and it’s a scenario of last resort. Do not count on this – your first task should be completing the fingerprint form. This pool of assigned chaperones CANNOT stay in the dorms with teams; if you feel the timing of the task won’t fit your team schedule – stay in a hotel; many are listed on the 2026 website.

FAQs:

I am already fingerprint checked in my state for my job do I still have to do this?

Yes.

Where do I go to get this done?

You should call your local police station to see if they provide this service to residents; some don’t! And those who do have particular hours. If your station does not provide the service, then you can Google private hard fingerprint providers. Some local UPS Stores do this. USC says you can fill out a form and get reimbursed for any cost you incur.

Can I get my own FD-258 card/form or do I have to wait for the USC packet?

No. The USC packet has an ID code to process the form, so you do have to wait for it.

Can I use an inkpad and do the fingerprints myself?

No. The form has a space where an official (someone trained to do fingerprints) has to sign it.

What does the packet look like?

It will come in a USPS red, white and blue Priority Mail envelope and contain an instruction sheet, the FD-258 form/card, a sample card, and a pre-addressed return

envelope with a tracking number. If you are pressed for time, you can overnight or FedEx the fingerprint card/form back to USC at the address they provided.

Do all the adult spectators on my team have to do this?

No. Remaining team parents, coaches and other guests will be considered spectators, not subject to the checks.

What happens if my card gets lost in the mail?

There is a tracking number on the return envelope; please watch it carefully. If you use UPS or FedEx, watch the tracking like a hawk.

What happens if the DOJ does not return my result in time for the tournament?

Your team will have to be assigned a bullpen chaperone; you cannot stay in the USC dorms.

How many people on my team need to undergo this requirement?

See the ratio section above.

Why didn’t Science Olympiad tell us about this sooner?

This was a surprise to us all. We didn’t know about the requirement until a couple weeks ago and have been trying to find a solution so that no teams would be turned

away.

For questions, please reach out to the USC Office of Youth Protection:

Gabe Gates, Associate VP for Compliance - ggates@usc.edu

Madison Lang, Youth Protection Coordinator - langmadi@usc.edu

Friday April 17

Teams are invited to visit the University of Central Missouri campus on Friday to locate their event rooms and to register. While visits to event locations are encouraged, Science Olympiad participants are reminded that classes at the university will be in progress. Science Olympiad participants are not allowed to hold practices or to test pre-built devices during the day on Friday.

Hovercraft

The hovercraft track will consist of whiteboard. Attached is a picture of the track.

Boomilever

Below is a picture of the Boomilever test apparatus.

Use of AI in Events

The National Science Olympiad has issued guidance regarding the use of AI glasses such as Ray Ban and Oakley Meta. The use of any type of AI eyeglasses during an event is strictly prohibited and could result in disqualification. The use of AI powered calculators is also prohibited. Event directors are authorized to inspect any device that they suspect might be in violation of the AI policy.

Pre-Purchased Kits and Student Design

There has been some confusion regarding the rules in build events that deal with kits and how they relate to student designs.

Kits may be purchased and used for all Science Olympiad building events. The caveat is that any purchased kit must be assembled by student(s) on the 15 person competition team. The use of prebuilt kits or using a device that was not built by members of the competition team is prohibited.

The process of building a device, be it from scratch or a kit, requires many decisions from the student. The order of assembly, types of glue being used, how to sand, how to trim, etc. are all determined by the student and are considered part of the design process.

Seniors that Graduate at Semester

If senior chooses to graduate at the semester they will not lose their eligibility to compete on their school's Science Olympiad team for the remainder of the season. If a senior does choose to graduate at semester and continue to participate on their school's Science Olympiad team they will still count toward the seven senior limit.

DIVISION B event clarifications

Boomilever B (2/14/25) Missouri Rule Clarification

This is to clarify part of rule 4.c.i 

Rule 4.c.i

...If necessary, participants may disassemble the Loading Assembly but must reassemble in the same order as presented by the Event Supervisor (6.c..."

Clarification

Based on 4.c.i, participants are allowed to disassemble the Loading Assembly for the purposes of attaching it to their boomilever. Once attached to the Boomilever, the Loading Assembly must be reassembled in the same manner that it was presented to them. Participants are allowed to complete this during their 6 minute set up time.

Helicopter B (10/13/25)

This rule correction is to correct the omission of a word from the original text.

Original rule

3.f.(sentence 1) The helicopter may use up to three fixed rotors. 

Corrected Rule

3.f.(sentence 1) The helicopter may use up to three fixed pitch rotors.

Hovercraft B (2/9/26) Missouri Rule Clarification

This is to clarify rule 3.b

Rule

3.b.(sentence 1) The vehicle must levitate on a cushion of air as it moves down the track.

Clarification

In order to avoid violating rule 3.b the hovercraft must be levitating on a cushion of air, and not on an inflated sack or bag. The hovercraft skirt must be open on the bottom to allow the escape of air. 

An additional section states Continuous contact of the inflated skirt with the base surface, occasional contact of other vehicle components with the base surface, or any contact with the inside edge of the side rails is permitted.

Note that this rule specifies inflated skirt and not base of hovercraft. The purpose of the skirt is to trap the air that suspends the hovercraft, not to support the hovercraft itself. If the skirt provides the actual support, then the craft is no longer levitating on a cushion of air, but is instead levitating on a fabric skirt that is inflated with air. At the state competition, we will make this distinction.

A team that violates 3.b and uses an inflated, closed sack for support will still be allowed to run their device. Rule 6.h indicates that teams violating rule 3.b will have their distance score, time score, and bonus scores each multiplied by .8 for the construction violation.

Below is the definition of a hovercraft skirt that will be used by the Missouri Science Olympiad:

A hovercraft skirt (also called an air cushion skirt, flexible skirt, or simply "skirt") is a flexible, inflatable, or draped structure attached around the perimeter of a hovercraft's (air-cushion vehicle's) rigid hull or base. It extends downward to form a nearly airtight seal (or controlled leakage boundary) that traps and contains high-pressure air beneath the craft, creating the cushion of air that enables the hovercraft to float and travel over surfaces with very low friction.

Key Characteristics and Function

• Primary purpose: It retains pressurized air from the lift fans to maintain the air cushion, allowing the hovercraft to hover at a small height (typically a few inches to over a foot, depending on design) above land, water, ice, mud, or other uneven terrain.

• How it works: Air is pumped into/around the skirt (often inflating it like a tube or feeding through vents). Controlled leakage occurs at the bottom edge, creating a thin film of escaping air that lubricates the interface with the surface while the bulk of the air stays trapped to provide lift.

Machines B (12/06/25)

This rule correction is to detail which time is to be used in calculating the Time Score. 

Original Rule 

Rule 6.c. Time Score (TS) = ((240-team's part II time in seconds)/240)x 15 points

Corrected Rule

Rule 6.c. Time Score (TS) = ((240-team's part II Device Test time in seconds)/240) x 15 points

Metric Mastery B (10/13/25)

This rule correction fixes miscalculations with incorrect multipliers in the scoring examples.

Original rule

4.d.iii.(three point scoring example) For three points: within-0.20: 13.25 cm x 22.12 cm = 293.0 cm2, within +0.20: 13.65 cm x 22.52 cm = 307.4 cm2.

4.d.iii.(one point scoring example)  For one point: within-0.30: 13.25 cm x 22.02 cm = 289.6 cm2, within +0.20: 13.75 cm x 22.62 cm = 311.0 cm2.

4.d.iii.(range bullet)  Measurements outside the range 289.6 cm2 to 311.0 cm2 will receive zero points

Corrected Rule

4.d.iii.(three point scoring example) For three points: within-0.17: 13.28 cm x 22.15 cm = 294.2 cm2, within +0.17: 13.62 cm x 22.49 cm = 306.3 cm2.

4.d.iii.(one point scoring example)  For one point: within-0.22: 13.15 cm x 22.10 cm = 290.6 cm2, within +0.22: 13.67 cm x 22.54 cm = 308.1 cm2.

4.d.iii.(range bullet)  Measurements outside the range 292.4 cm2 to 308.1 cm2 will receive zero points

Water Quality B (11/06/25)

This rule correction to remove an incorrectly classified organism (Water Scorpion) from the Class I indicator column.

Original List

Class I - Pollution Sensitive:  Mayfly, Caddisfly, Stonefly, Dobsonfly, Gilled Snails, Water Penny, Riffle Beetle, Water Scorpion

Corrected List

Class I - Pollution Sensitive:  Mayfly, Caddisfly, Stonefly, Dobsonfly, Gilled Snails, Water Penny, Riffle Beetle

DIVISION C event clarifications

Boomilever C (2/14/25) Missouri Rule Clarification

This is to clarify part of rule 4.c.i 

Rule 4.c.i

...If necessary, participants may disassemble the Loading Assembly but must reassemble in the same order as presented by the Event Supervisor (6.c..."

Clarification

Based on 4.c.i, participants are allowed to disassemble the Loading Assembly for the purposes of attaching it to their boomilever. Once attached to the Boomilever, the Loading Assembly must be reassembled in the same manner that it was presented to them. Participants are allowed to complete this during their 6 minute set up time.

Bungee Drop C (10/13/25)

This rule correction is to correct the omission of a word from the original text.

Original rule

6.c.i. The Drop Distance is defined as the distance between the lowest point of the mass and the landing surface on its initial descent.

Corrected Rule

6.c.i. The Drop Distance is defined as the distance (in centimeters)between the lowest point of the mass and the landing surface on its initial descent.

Helicopter C (10/13/25)

This rule correction is to correct the omission of a word from the original text.

Original rule

3.f.(sentence 1) The helicopter may use up to three fixed rotors. 

Corrected Rule

3.f.(sentence 1) The helicopter may use up to three fixed pitch rotors.

Hovercraft  C (4/10/26) Missouri Rule Clarification

This is to clarify rule 3.d

Rule

3.d.(sentence 1) Commercial batteries, including rechargeables, not exceeding 12.0V as labeled, may be used to energize each of the vehicle's motors.

Clarification

Some battery manufacturers, such as Tenergy manufacture batteries that meet the voltage requirement but do not have a label stating "12.0V" We will allow teams to use batteries that contain the original manufacturer's labels at the state competition if that label does not contain a printed voltage. Teams should be prepared to provide manufacturer's information regarding battery voltage and be prepared to have this voltage measured by a multimeter at judges' discretion.

Hovercraft  C (2/9/26) Missouri Rule Clarification

This is to clarify rule 3.b

Rule

3.b.(sentence 1) The vehicle must levitate on a cushion of air as it moves down the track.

Clarification

In order to avoid violating rule 3.b the hovercraft must be levitating on a cushion of air, and not on an inflated sack or bag. The hovercraft skirt must be open on the bottom to allow the escape of air. 

An additional section states Continuous contact of the inflated skirt with the base surface, occasional contact of other vehicle components with the base surface, or any contact with the inside edge of the side rails is permitted.

Note that this rule specifies inflated skirt and not base of hovercraft. The purpose of the skirt is to trap the air that suspends the hovercraft, not to support the hovercraft itself. If the skirt provides the actual support, then the craft is no longer levitating on a cushion of air, but is instead levitating on a fabric skirt that is inflated with air. At the state competition, we will make this distinction.

A team that violates 3.b and uses an inflated, closed sack for support will still be allowed to run their device.Rule 6.h indicates that teams violating rule 3.b will have their distance score, time score, and bonus scores each multiplied by .8 for the construction violation.

Below is the defintion of a hovercraft skirt that will be used by the Missouri Science Olympiad:

A hovercraft skirt (also called an air cushion skirt, flexible skirt, or simply "skirt") is a flexible, inflatable, or draped structure attached around the perimeter of a hovercraft's (air-cushion vehicle's) rigid hull or base. It extends downward to form a nearly airtight seal (or controlled leakage boundary) that traps and contains high-pressure air beneath the craft, creating the cushion of air that enables the hovercraft to float and travel over surfaces with very low friction.

Key Characteristics and Function

• Primary purpose: It retains pressurized air from the lift fans to maintain the air cushion, allowing the hovercraft to hover at a small height (typically a few inches to over a foot, depending on design) above land, water, ice, mud, or other uneven terrain.

• How it works: Air is pumped into/around the skirt (often inflating it like a tube or feeding through vents). Controlled leakage occurs at the bottom edge, creating a thin film of escaping air that lubricates the interface with the surface while the bulk of the air stays trapped to provide lift.

Engineering CAD C (11/06/25)

This rule correction is to correct a missing minus sign in the original formula in rule 4.c. for the delta mass calculation.  There should be a minus sign between mass(student) and mass(correct).

Machines C (12/06/25)

This rule correction is to detail which time is to be used in calculating the Time Score. 

Original Rule 

Rule 6.c. Time Score (TS) = ((240-team's part II time in seconds)/240)x 15 points

Corrected Rule

Rule 6.c. Time Score (TS) = ((240-team's part II Device Test time in seconds)/240) x 15 points

Robot Tour C (10/13/25)

This rule correction fixes a typo in the original text.

Original rule

5.h.ii. No 2x4 Obstacle Penalty: 50 points added to all Run Scores when a team chooses to to run with the 2x4 Obstacles.

Corrected Rule

5.h.ii. No 2x4 Obstacle Penalty: 50 points added to all Run Scores when a team chooses to to run without the 2x4 Obstacles.

Water Quality C (11/06/25)

This rule correction to remove an incorrectly classified organism (Water Scorpion) from the Class I indicator column.

Original List

Class I - Pollution Sensitive:  Mayfly, Caddisfly, Stonefly, Dobsonfly, Gilled Snails, Water Penny, Riffle Beetle, Water Scorpion

Corrected List

Class I - Pollution Sensitive:  Mayfly, Caddisfly, Stonefly, Dobsonfly, Gilled Snails, Water Penny, Riffle Beetle