2012-2013
Georgia ESO Event Clarification
I.
We will be following the rules outlined in the 6th edition of Elementary Science Olympiad
Rules Manual. Please note that while most events are very similar there are changes
between the 5th & 6th editions. New ESO rule manuals may be purchased from
www.soinc.org.
II.
The Elementary Science Olympiad Coaches manual is a little unclear about team size.
Below is the final ruling on team size for the GA ESO in 2013.
 Teams may be composed of up to 20 3rd-6th grade students. Each team may have
up to eight 5th grade students or up to six 6th grade students, with no more than 8
total 5th and 6th grade students. Teams should be composed of students chosen
from grade levels within the same building. (e.g. Only elementary schools going up
to 6th grade may have 6th graders on their team.)
III.
The following guidelines will be used for all events allowing student notes.
 In keeping with the spirit of the Elementary Science Olympiad, we ask that coaches
encourage students to exhibit integrity, honor, and independence in design and
production of all competition notes. Coaches may provide students with blank
graphic organizers or blank tables. Students may hand-write or type notes.
Computer generated graphics, photos, etc. and pages printed from the internet are
not permitted. Notes should be limited to both sides of an 8.5 x 11in sheet of paper.
IV.
Some of the ESO Events can be interpreted a bit broadly. In attempt to provide a little
more clarity, the event at the State ESO will be run using the following
guidelines/limitations.
A is for Anatomy
Materials
Allowed
None
Bridge Building
None
Event
Number of
Participants
2
2
Clarifications
 Use 9 body systems listed in the manual. p. 21
 Will use photos and models
 Each team will be provided with 1 meter of 2.4 cm
wide (1 inch wide) masking tape; 2 cm of tape per
straw.
 At competition the supports for the bridge shall
be at least 74 cm (± 29 inches – back of an adult
desk chair) above the floor.
 The bridge structure shall not be connected to or
attached to the supports in any way.
 The chalkboard eraser will be replaced with a 2.5
cm x 2.5 cm x 11.5 cm square prism of clay that
has a mass of 112 g.
 The student will be allowed to place the clay mass
on the structure.
Revised 10-2012
2012-2013
Georgia ESO Event Clarification
Deep Blue Sea
None
2
Disease Detectives
None
1 or 2
Leaf & Tree Finder
Student
Notes*
2
Map Reading
None
2
Mystery
Architecture
Tennis Ball,
scissors,
ruler, pliers
2
Mystery Liquids
Student
Notes*
2
 At State, the Georgia Aquarium will partner with
us this year in this event.
 Event will be limited to ocean flora and fauna
(algae, kelp, fish, mammals, mollusks and other
living things) found in the oceans off the cost of
GA.
 Part 1 & Part 2 of the event will be used
 At state, this is event is run from volunteers from
the CDC.
 Images will be shown on PPT slide, some live or
preserved specimens may be used. Different
sequences, same images for each session.
 Will use images of or leaves from the following
native Georgia trees: red hickory; black willow;
river birch; green ash; American sycamore; white
oak; white basswood; sweetgum; red maple;
flowering dogwood; Eastern redcedar; yellowpoplar; red mulberry; loblolly pine; blackgum;
black cherry; water oak; post oak; American elder;
American elm
 The map(s) selected to use for this event will be
one or more of the 5 following maps:
a) a State of Georgia road map
b) a United States of America physical map
c) a world political map
d) a local topographic map
e) a local weather map
 The 5 “pre-selected questions” will be part of the
test and unknown to the contestants.
 All building materials will be provided and
identical for each team.
 Each team of participants may bring: scissors, a
ruler, a pair of pliers, & practice tennis ball.
 Students will build structures on the ground, not
tables or desks.
 Due to the fragile nature of towers, teams moving
around room during competition will be
disqualified.
 Goggles and lab coats provided
 Will use liquids listed in manual – NO Bleach
 Will also identify 2 mystery liquids; which may or
may not be one of the original six.
Revised 10-2012
2012-2013
Georgia ESO Event Clarification
Paper Rockets
None
2
Rock Hound
2
Simple Machines
Student
Notes*
None
Starry Starry Night
None
2
Straw Egg Drop
None
2
Straw Tower
None
2
Water Rockets
Rocket
1-3
2
 Use large diameter fast food restaurant straws
(McDonalds, Chic Filet, etc.)
 Scissors provided
 Transparent tape (store brand)
 This event is run by volunteers from the Georgia
Mineral Society.
 Images and actual items will be used
 Students may be asked to calculate force, but
will not be required to identify mechanical
advantage. (See samples question on p. 114)
 Red pen light is not needed.
 Students must construct a device to cushion the
egg when dropped from 2-3 meters
 Large, raw egg at room temperature will be used
 To limit mess, eggs will be placed in store brand
sandwich zippy bags prior to building.
 Construction materials may not be attached to
the egg (or bag).
 Scissors & pins will be provided.
 Loading blocks will be 5cm x 5cm pieces of
cardboard.
 Students will add weights to the loading block.
 Students will build structures on the ground, not
tables or desks.
 Teams moving around room during competition
will be disqualified.
 Event will be in campus green. Campus green will
be roped off for safety purposes during this
event. Participants only inside the ropes.
 Coke brand bottles fit launcher most easily
 Only 1 launch per team this year. An official
pneumatic launcher with the pressure and
launch buttons will be used. In addition:
1. Kids should pack chute before they come
(no parent help allowed)
2. Kids can pressurize and launch own rocket
3. During or after pressurizing, only event
supervisors can approach the rocket (safety
issue).
4. Straws aren't necessary for launching
5. Goggles will be provided
Revised 10-2012
2012-2013
Georgia ESO Event Clarification
Weather or Not
None
2
 Images and actual weather tools will be used
What Went By
None
2
 Will not restrict to tracks only.
 Animals will be limited to species found in
Georgia.
 When identifying animals that have many
similarities (e.g. squirrel & chipmunk) for the
artifact “chewed acorn”, both would be correct.
 Stations may be laptop with image, print out,
slide show, replicas, or actual artifacts.
 Questions will be multiple choice and fill in the
blank.
Zowie Metrics
None
2
 Additional tie-breaker questions may be
included.
* Student Notes clarifications included on page 1, section III.
2013 Elementary Science Olympiad Event Clarification Information
Contact Sally Creel sally.creel@cobbk12.org
2013 Elementary Science Olympiad Event Information
Contact Dr. Bongani Bantwini bbantwin@kennesaw.edu
2013 Elementary Science Olympiad Registration
Contact Dr. Kelly Price kprice@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Revised 10-2012