Science Olympiad Event List
EVENT
Number/team
Description
A IS FOR ANATOMY (1 or 2) - Each team will view models, slides, and pictures of
organs and tissues from the human body. They will identify and explain the function
of each.
ANIMAL, VEGETABLE OR MINERAL(1 or 2) - Each participant will classify objects,
pictures or models to the appropriate category.
BOTTLE MUSIC (3)- Each team will tune a set of bottles by filling them to different levels
with water and use them to play two different tunes.
CAN RACE(1 or 2) - Each team will construct one single-can racer (before coming to
the tournament), which will be raced against the clock in a drag racing format.
CIRCUIT WIZARDRY(1 or 2) - Each team will test their knowledge of simple directcurrent electric circuits, the difference between open and closed circuits and
the difference between series and parallel circuits.
COOL IT(1 or 2) - Each team will construct a device to keep an ice cube from melting.
DEEP BLUE SEA(1)- Each team will work cooperatively to answer questions
and identify ocean flora, and fauna, physical features and phenomena related to marine
science.
EGG DROP(1 or 2) - Raw, grade A medium eggs will be dropped from ever
increasing heights into a landing pad/egg catching device.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND FOR ENERGY (1 or 2)- Groups of students
demonstrate knowledge of food groups and additives.
GRASP A GRAPH(1 or 2)- The objective is to develop the skills of collecting and
organizing information using pictographs, bar, line and pie graphs to solve
problems
HOT AIR BALLOONS(up to 3) – This event requires a team to build and fly a
paper hot air balloon.
MAGNETS (1 or 2)- Students must demonstrate knowledge of how magnets work
and identify materials through which a magnet can attract.
MAP READING(1 or 2) - Individual contestants will be given two-part questions that
can be answered by using various kinds of maps.
METRIC MASTERY (1 or 2) - students will demonstrate an intuitive feeling for estimating
and later for measuring different events/objects using S.I. metric units.
MYSTERY ARCHITECTURE (1 or 2)teams of students build the tallest, most stable
tower from materials unknown to them prior to the competition.
ORIENTEERING (1)- Participants will follow a set of directions using their skills of pacing
and using a magnetic compass.
PADDLE BOAT CONSTRUCTION (1 or 2) groups of 2 competitors build a paddleboat
from common material. They then race against the clock for time and distance.
PASTA BRIDGE(1 or 2) - Teams will build a bridge from pasta that will hold the
greatest weight.
PASTAMOBILE(Up to 4) teams build a cart that will traverse a course in a specified
amount of time
PENTATHLON(5)- Five physical skills are interspersed with science questions in
an obstacle course that will be run in a relay race style where each student passes the
balloon to the next student.
PICTURE THIS(3) - This event has teams of 3 students each competing in a contest in
which one member draws "clues" for the others to guess a science term or
concept.
PLASTICS DETECTIVE(1 or 2) - Teams of students investigate the properties of
common plastics, then attempt to identify samples from their previous work.
REFLECTION RELAY (3)- Three team members, each supplied with a pocket
mirror, cooperate to bounce a light beam from a filmstrip projector onto a predetermined
target.
ROCK HOUND(1 or 2) - Contestants will be required to identify various rocks
and minerals.
RUBBER BAND CATAPULT(1 or 2) - A team will design and construct a catapult
device to shoot a rubber band at a target that is placed within a given range.
SIMPLE MACHINES(1 or 2) - Participants demonstrate their knowledge of simple
machines.
STARRY STARRY NIGHT (1 or 2)– a team of 2 students will identify constellations,
planets, and other common celestial bodies in our universe.
WEATHER OR NOT(1 or 2) - This competition will test the students’ knowledge of
meteorological terms, techniques, and events.
WILDLIFE SAFARI(1) - Students identify basic ecological knowledge.
WRITE IT/DO IT(2) - This event tests a competitor's ability to communicate with
a colleague.