Divisions B and C(Alphabetically)

Anatomy B

Anatomy & Physiology C

Awesome Aquifers B

Astronomy C

Bottle Rocket B

Chemistry Lab C

Compute This B

Crime Busters B

Disease Detectives B & C

Dynamic Planet B & C

Experimental Design B & C

Forensics C

Helicopters C

Meteorology B

Microbe Mission B & C

Optics B & C

Protein Modeling C

Remote Sensing C

Road Scholar B

Sounds of Music C

Storm the Castle B

Technical Problem Solving C

Towers B & C

Write It Do It B & C

This event encompasses the anatomy (structure and function) ofthe digestive and respiratory systems and the effects of agingand diseases on them.Each team may bring ONLY one 8.5” X 11” two-sided page ofnotes that contain information in any form from any source andup to 2 non-programmable, non-graphing calculators.Suggested topics for state and regional tournaments are listed inthe manuals.

This event encompasses the anatomy and physiology of therespiratory, excretory, and digestive system.Each team may bring ONLY one 8.5” X 11” two-sided page ofnotes that contain information in any form from any source andup to 2 non-programmable, non-graphing calculators.What students should know about each of the three systems forRegional, State & National competitions is listed in the manual.

Students will construct an aquifer and answer questions aboutgroundwater concepts.As last year, the supervisor will supply score sheets, water,Station 2 resources, and Station 3 building objectives andstudents are required to bring any materials needed to assemblean aquifer on-site.Please note that hazardous and harmful chemicals are NOTallowed.A short list of suggested materials are listed in the manual withan extended list on the national S. O. website: soinc.org

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basicconcepts of mathematics and physics relating to stellarevolution and type Ia supernovae.Each team member is permitted to bring either a laptop computer or a3-ring binder (any size) containing information in any form from anysource. All materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into therings (notebook sleeves are allowed).Each team member is permitted to bring a programmablecalculator.No internet access is permitted.The types of information students will need to know and willbe tested on are listed in section 3 of your manuals.

Prior to the tournament, teams construct TWO rockets designedto stay aloft for the greatest amount of time.Changes to Event Parameters:

A) Teams must design, build and bring up to two rockets to thetournament (only 1 launch per rocket) Parts from one rocketmust not be used on another rocket.B) Teams without proper eye protection must be immediatelyinformed and given a chance to obtain eye protection if timeallows, otherwise they will not be allowed to compete andscored as a no-show.

Changes to Construction parameters:A) Rocket pressure vessels must be made out of a single 1-literor less plastic carbonated beverage bottle with a neck/nozzleopening internal diameter of approx. 2.2 cm.

The distance from the neck of the bottle to the bottom of the bottlemust be more than 22.0 cm for the launch equipment to work.B) Only tape must be used to attach fins and other componentsto the pressure vessel. No glues of any type may be used onthe pressure vessel. Glue may be used in other parts of therocket assembly. Metal of any type and commercial modelrocket parts are prohibited anywhere on the rocket.C) The structural integrity of the pressure vessel must not bealtered. This includes, but is not limited to: physical, thermal orchemical damage (e.g., cutting, sanding, using hot or super glues,spray painting).D) alterations to the structural integrity of the pressure vesselresults in a safety violation of the rocket and it must not belaunched. Event supervisors will assess structural integrity.

E) the nose of the rocket must be rounded or blunt at the tip anddesigned such that when a standard 2-liter bottle cap (~3.1 cmdiameter X 1.25 cm tall) is placed on top of the nose, no portionof the nose touches the inside top of the bottle cap

Changes to The Competition:B) Rockets must be launched at 60 psi.E) Event supervisors are strongly encouraged to use threeindependent timers on all launches. The middle value of thethree timers must be the official recorded time.

Changes to Scoring:Rockets with construction or safety violations will not belaunched due to safety. Teams that are unable to launch arocket because of construction violations will receiveparticipation points only.A) Ranking within each tier is determined by the combinedgreatest time aloft of both rocket flights. If a team onlylaunches one rocket then that team will receive only the flighttime for that launch.B) Tiers: Teams with a Tier 1 rocket and a rocket with a violationare scored as if they had only one rocket.

i) Tier1: Rockets launched without construction or competitionviolations.ii) Tier 2: Any Launch with competition violations.

Teams will complete one or more tasks and answer a series ofquestions involving the science processes of chemistry focusedin the areas of periodicity and oxidation/reductionStudents MUST bring: goggles and a writing implement.They MAY bring a non-programmable, non-graphing calculator –no reference materials are allowed.Pay very close attention to the safety requirements listed in yourmanual for eye protection and clothing! Students not wearingproper safety equipment will not be allowed to participate!Scoring: 50% on oxidation/Reduction & 50% on Periodicity.

This event integrates Personal Computing technology, theInternet, and quantitative data analysis. Teams are presentedwith a problem that requires quantitative data capture from thepublic Internet and the organization and presentation of data in agraphical format. Short answer questions related to the problemare also included.Changes to 3: The Competition:

A) Event supervisors shall announce the software productsand versions to be provided at the tournament site at least 30days prior to the competition, in coordination with theirtournament director.

B) Teams will be given a problem in the area of epidemiologywith all required information to be located on websites within thewww.cdc.gov domain.C) No URLs are required in the data table or the chart to identifythe source of information, but all data must come from thewww.cdc.gov domainD) Where additional searches are required, teams must list thespecific source URL associated with each answer. The URL mustbe complete and must point to information within thewww.cdc.gov domain.

Given a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possiblesuspects, students will perform a series of tests. The tests, alongwith other evidence will be used to solve a crime.Students may bring ONLY the items listed under “EventParameters - Students”, nothing else.Any non-allowed items MAY result in up to a 10% penalty.Pay very close attention to the “Safety Requirements” section!ANSI Z87 (#4) chemical splash goggles are required.Along with reagents, solutions, burners and equipment, eventsupervisors will also provide other equipment as required.

Competition:There will be 4 parts plus the analysis of the crime.

A. Qualitative analysisB. Polymer testing / natural and man-made substancesC. Paper chromatographyD. Crime scene physical evidence (5 topics)

a) Fingerprintsb) DNA evidencec) Shoeprints & tire treadsd) Soile) Spatters

E. AnalysisComplicated – make sure you and your students thoroughlyunderstand what will be expected of them during competition.

Students will use their investigative skills in the scientific study ofdisease, injury, health, and disability in populations or groups ofpeople with a focus on food borne illness.Each team may bring ONLY one 8.5” X 11” two-sided page ofnotes that contain information in any form from any source andup to 2 non-programmable, non-graphing calculators.Sample problems and resources are listed in your manual andmay also be found on the national website (www.soinc.org).

Students will use process skills to complete tasks related toEarth’s fresh waters.Each team may bring four 8.5 X 11 double-sided pages of notescontaining information in any form from any source and bring upto two non-graphing calculators.There is a list of topics that may be covered in your manualalong with some representative tasks and suggested resources.

This event will determine a team’s ability to design, conduct, andreport the findings of an experiment actually conducted on site.Essentially unchanged from previous years.Students must bring ANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splashgoggles and a writing instrument. Students may also bring atimepiece, ruler, and non-programmable calculator.As in the past, the rubric will be posted on the State ScienceOlympiad website.

http://webs.wichita.edu/scienceolympiadPay particular attention to section 4-J, Statistics.

Given a scenario and some possible suspects, students willperform a series of tests. These tests, along with other evidenceor test results will be used to solve a crime.Students may bring ONLY the items listed under “EventParameters”. I strongly suggest that they bring them ALL.Have your students pay very close attention to the safetyrequirements – they have changed slightly:

… pants or skirts that cover the legs to the ankles andadditionally a long sleeved lab coat that reaches the wrists andthe knees or a long sleeved shirt that reaches the wrists with achemical apron that reaches the knees.Chemical gloves are optional.Closed-toed shoesANSI Z87 indirect vent chemical splash goggles.

Pay very close attention to SCORING and COMPETITIONsections in your manuals so your students clearly understandwhat they will be tested on and what parts to concentrate onduring competition.Same five sections will be covered:

Qualitative AnalysisPolymersChromatography/SpectroscopyCrime Scene Physical Evidence

Fingerprint Analysis; DNA; Glass Analysis; Entomology; Spatters;Seeds and Pollen; Tracks and Soil; Blood; Bullet striations

Analysis of the Crime

Teams construct and test free flight rubber-powered helicoptersprior to the tournament to achieve maximum flight times.Event Parameters:

Teams must bring up to 2 helicopters and their flight log. Teamsmay bring any tools.

Construction Parameters:Design: Published plan(s), Commercial kits or students’ design. Aflat balsa wood disc large enough to cover a dime must beplaced on the uppermost part of the helicopter (the part thatwould touch a flat ceiling first during a flight)

Materials: Boron filaments must not be used anywhere on thehelicopter. Any other material may be used anywhere on thehelicopter.

Construction Parameters (cont):Mass: Total mass of the helicopter throughout the flight, excludingthe rubber motor, must be 3.5 grams or more.

Rotors: The helicopter may use up to three fixed pitch rotors, notexceeding a maximum diameter of 35.0 cm. There is nomaximum limit on the number of blades or their chord width.

Power: The helicopter must be powered by rubber motor(s) ofany mass, which may be lubricated before and after check-inand must be removable from the helicopter for check-in.Officials need not mass the motors.

The Competition:G: Event supervisors are strongly urged to return flight logsafter inspection. Timers must follow and observe teams as theyare winding their motors.I: During their 8-minute flight period, all flights must beconsidered an official flight unless they are declared a trimflight prior to launch.J: The timing official will measure and record the “Time Aloft” inhundredths of a second for each flight. Time Aloft for each flightstarts when the helicopter leaves the competitor’s hand andstops when any part of the helicopter touches the floor, the rotorsno longer support the weight of the helicopter (such as thehelicopter landing on a girder or basketball hoop) or the judgesotherwise determine the flight to be over.

The Competition:K: Event supervisors are strongly encouraged to utilize 3independent timers on all runs. The middle value of the 3timers will be the officially recorded time.

Scoring: The base score is the team’s longest single flight time.Ties will be broken by the longest non-scored flight time.

C: Teams with a helicopter with non-coaxial rotors whose axes ofrotation are separated by at least the radius of the rotors (e.g.,“Chinook style”) must have their recorded flight time multiplied by3 for scoring purposes

Participants will demonstrate a multidisciplinary understanding ofthe earth and planetary systems that influence climate on planetEarth. This event will place emphasis on understanding howthese systems are impacting climate change past and presenton our planet.Each team may bring one 8.5 X 11 two-sided page of notescontaining information in any form from any source. Eachparticipant may bring any kind of (non-graphing) calculator butno other resources.All questions will be selected from the topics listed in yourmanuals.

Teams will answer questions, solve problems, and analyze datapertaining to microbes.Each team will bring only one 8.5” X 11” two-sided page of notesthat contain information in any form from any source and up to 2non-programmable, non-graphing calculators. Each participantmust being and wear Z87 chemical splash goggles.Regional and State Tournaments (B & C) should cover all of thetopics and not emphasize just one area.Topics for Regional & State as well as National tournaments arelisted in your manuals.Sample questions are also listed in your manuals.

This event includes activities and questions related to geometricand physical optics.Competitors may bring any measuring tools, premadetemplates, writing utensils and use any type of calculators foruse during any part of the competition.All reference materials to be used during all parts of thecompetition must be secured in a 3-ring binder, must be 3-holepunched and inserted in the binder so that regardless of orientationnothing can fall out.Event Supervisors provide the laser shot surface (LSS, laser,mirrors and barriers. Multiple LSS’s may be used to facilitateall teams being able to compete in a timely manner.

The Competition:Part 1 – Geometric Optics:

vi: Operating principles of optical equipment (microscopes,telescopes, cameras, glasses)

Part 3 – Laser Shot – the objective is to reflect a laser beamwith mirrors around barriers to a target.

i: The maximum set-up time is 4 minutes. Timing must stop whenthe competitors remove the material covering the face of onemirror. Competitors must not make any additional adjustmentsto the mirrors at that point other than to remove the other mirrorcoverings.

The Competition (cont):Part 3 – Laser Shot (cont)

v: The 5 flat mirrors must have a width of 5-8 cm. Each mirror ismounted so that it stands vertically (at a 90 degree angle to the LSS),does not have excess mounting material on its side edges, hasits approximate center at the level of the laser beam and caneasily relocated anywhere on the LSS by the students. The mirrorfaces must initially be covered with a cardboard sleeve or othereasily removable non-reflecting, opaque material.vi: A laser (provided by the Event Supervisor) is mounted in ahorizontal plane through the approximate center of one of the 35 cmlong walls at a height of 1.5 – 6.0 cm above the LSS.

The Competition (cont):Part 3 – Laser Shot (cont)

ix (div. B change): A line is drawn on the LSS from a pointdirectly below the emitting tip of the laser to a point directlybelow the center of the laser beam where it strikes the oppositewall.xi: A metric scale with a resolution of at least 1 mm must be attachedhorizontally to the far target wall at the level at which the laserstrikes. One of the marks on the scale is the Target Point.xii (div B): A barrier is placed somewhere along the line betweenthe emitting tip of the laser and the Target point. The barriermust have a width of 2 to 4 cm and be tall enough to block thelaser beam. The barrier must be in the same position andorientation in respect to the LSS for all competitors.

The Competition (cont):Part 3 – Laser Shot (cont)

xii (div C): Three barriers are placed on the LSS. At least 1 barrieris placed somewhere along the line between the emitting tip of thelaser and the Target Point. The barriers must be in the sameposition and orientation in respect to the LSS for all competitors.xiii (div B&C): Competitors may choose to use between 1 and 5mirrors.

Part 4 – Scoring:Pay close attention, several changes have been made – set-up timescoring has been dropped and number of laser shot mirrors has beenincorporated.

Students will use computer visualization and online resources toguide them in constructing physical models of proteins and inunderstanding how the structure of the protein determines thefunction. For 2012 students will model proteins involved in theregulation of apoptosis as they explore the discovery andtreatment of a rare (one in a billion) genetic trait discoveredthrough genome sequencing.The Competition:

Part I: Pre-Built Model –Students will use a computerized visualization program called Jmol todesign and construct a model of caspace-3, based on chains A and Bof the coordinate data found in the li3o.pdp file.

The Competition (cont):Part II: On-Site Model – Students will design and build a physicalmodel of a selected region of a protein using materials provided bythe event supervisor.

Regional Competition: XIAP (li30.pdb)State Competition: PARP (3od8.pdb)National Competition: MHC (1hsa.pdb)

Students will utilize a computer provided with the Jmol applicationat the competition and Construction materials for the model will beprovided.

Participants will use remote sensing imagery, science and mathprocess skills to complete tasks related to an understanding ofthe Earth’s hydrosphere.Each team may bring five 8.5 X 11 two-sided sheets of papercontaining any information from any source.Each participant may bring a metric ruler, a protractor a triangle,a magnifying glass, and any kind of non-graphing calculator, butno other resources.Sample activities and the concepts that students shouldunderstand are listed in your manuals.

Participants will respond to interpretive questions that may useone or more state highway maps, USGS topographic maps,internet-generated maps, a road atlas, or satellite/aerial images.

Event Parameter and Competition sections are virtuallyunchanged from last year.

Prior to the competition each team must build two differentinstruments, of any type, based on a 12 tone tempered scale,prepare to describe the principles behind their operation and beable to perform a major scale, a required melody and a chosenmelody with each.Note that this year instruments are not limited to a wind and apercussion.Mandatory and Allowable instrument ranges remain unchangedfrom last year.Note the slight changes in scoring.Required song: St. Anthony Chorale

Prior to the tournament, teams design, construct, and calibrate adevice that uses only the energy of a falling counterweight tolaunch a projectile as far and accurately as possible.Sample plots and calculation pages are available on the Stormthe Castle page on soinc.org.Pay close attention to the required eye protection (ANSI Z87+).Eye protection will not need to be impounded. Teams withoutproper eye protection will be informed and given a chance toobtain it if time allows, otherwise they will not be allowed tocompete and scored as a no-show.

Construction: The entire device including projectiles andcounterweights must fit in a 65.0 cm X 65.0 cm X 65.0 cm cubewhen in ready-to-fire position. The cube must be square tothe floor and launch area.

The 2 separate counterweights must consist of a 0.5-1.5 kg anda 1.5-2.5 kg mass with a hook on top. Each hook & counterweightassembly must fit inside a 15 cm cube. If the hook is used toattach the counterweight to the device, the device must be ableto accept a standard 1” open hook bolt.Projectiles must have a mass of 20-40 g (for the lighter) and 40-60 g (for the heavier), approximately spherical and a diameter nogreater than 6 cm.

Competition:The designated launch area has been reduced from 2.0 m X 2.0 mto 1.0 m X 1.0 m.Before the first launch, teams must announce the position of thetarget in 0.5 m increments.Teams will have 5 minutes to make 4 launches (2 with eachcounterweight).

Scoring: Make sure you and your competing students study andfully understand the scoring. It is a bit complicated but there is agood example in your manual.

Teams will gather and process data to solve problems.Students will bring and use ANSI Z87 chemical splash goggles (#4).This year the event will consist of up to three lab stations instead of five. Other than that, no other real changes.

The objective of this event is to design and build the mostefficient tower meeting the requirements specified in these rules.Biggest and most interesting change this year.

Minimum tower height is 40 cm.No maximum tower height however 70 cm is the maximum scoredheight.Height measured to nearest 0.1 cm in centimeters.Scoring:

Regionals: (Load supported / tower mass) * (tower height – 5)State: (Load supported / tower mass) * (tower height – 15)Nationals: (Load supported / tower mass) * (tower height – 25)

Other changes:Dimensions of the chain and eyebolt that attach to the loadingblock more clearly defined.Teams without proper eye protection will be informed and given achance to obtain it if time allows, otherwise they will be scored asa no-show.Team members may disassemble the loading block and eyeboltassembly if necessary.Event supervisors will allow teams to stabilize the bucket frommovement caused by loading the sand.Tower “Failure” is more clearly defined.

One student will write a description of an object and how to build it and then the other student will attempt to construct the object from this description.No changes from last year’s rules.Pay very close attention to the Competition and scoring sections of the rules, particularly paragraph “b” of the Competition.Use of diagrams or drawings will result in disqualification. 1% penalties will be assessed for each minor infraction (e.g. unlabeled abbreviations or improper use of editing symbols or codes).