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A Note on Rules and Clarifications

The National Science Olympiad website regularly posts rules clarifications. You can check by clicking on the event links on this page or going to the NSO Rules Clarification page.The information available through links on this page and others is for information only and may not necessarily comply with the current rules. In case of conflict, the current Coaches Manual and Rule Book takes precedence.

Rule interpretations and updates that are general and issued by the National Science Olympiad can be found at the NSO website.

On behalf of the coaches and assistants at this tournament, I pledge to encourage honesty and respect for tournament personnel, our fellow coaches, and other team members. We want our efforts to bring honor to our community and school.

• Science Olympiad Pledge for Student
  I pledge to put forth my best effort in the Science Olympiad tournament and to uphold the principles of honest competition. In my events, I will compete with integrity, respect, and sportsmanship towards my fellow competitors. I will display courtesy towards Event Supervisors and Tournament Personnel. My actions will exemplify the proud spirit of my school, team, and state.

• Photographing or Videotaping Other Teams

Taking photographs of other teams and their devices is not allowed. School representatives, including parents, may videotape and take photos of their own students as they compete and pose for photos after a competition is allowed.

In some cases, a school may allow another team to take photos of the equipment/devices they have constructed, but this must always be done with the permission of the team being photographed. Taking photos or video without permission is bad etiquette and is not at the Science Olympiad. Teams that violate this common sense courtesy may be sanctioned.

Official photographers and/or videographers may be on site to document the Science Olympiad for various of media purposes. These individuals are permitted to take photos and video in general and will obtain permission before recording devices from design events.

We are mindful that a school may want to photograph or videotape their own students and therefore have not banned cameras in the open events. This decision reflects long-standing trust and appreciation for the courtesy of participating teams. Please discuss this with your team members, parents, and volunteers. Make sure that this policy is clearly understood.

• Food Service on Campus

Food, beverage, and snack service will be available at several campus locations:

Of course, you may also bring sack lunches and your own drinks. A significant amount of trash is generated at the Science Olympiad. It will be helpful if you bring trash bags and remove your own trash.

Stoves of any kind are prohibited. Please do not plan to cook food on campus for your team members. Teams are welcome to bring ice chests, etc. and set-up a "home base" for their students. There is little shade in the plaza above the parking lot where most teams will set up their spot, so shade covers may be advised if you have access to one.

• Science Olympiad Pledge for Parents

On behalf of the parents and spectators I pledge to be an example for our children by: respecting the rules of Science Olympiad, encouraging excellence in preparation and investigation, supporting independence in design and production of all competition devices, and respecting the decisions of event supervisors and judges. My examples will promote the spirit of cooperation within and among all our participating team

• Code of Ethics

Student participants are expected to compete in tournament events with honest effort to follow the rules and the spirit of the competition. Team members are expected to be the builders of all the devices used in the events. The goal of competition is to give one's best effort while displaying honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. Students, coaches, parents, and guests are expected to display courtesy and respect toward Olympiad officials, other teams, and guests of the Olympiad. Failure to show honesty and/or courtesy by a participant, coach, or guest of the team may result in the disqualification of the team from that event, the entire tournament or future tournaments.

• Parking for Cars

Parking Lot 13 has been allocated to park cars.

Parking Lot 26 has been allocated to park buses.

• Be on Time to Events

It is very important that your students be on time to the events in which they are scheduled to participate. For example, if there is a rotation between tasks or stations and the rotation has started by the time your students arrive, they may not be able to complete all tasks or stations. There may be important instructions or safety instructions that are given at the opening of the event–if your students miss those instructions, the event supervisor cannot be satisfied that the event will be safe.

If your students arrive late, and the event has not started, they should not complain if they are barred from the event - it may look like it has not started, but important orientation may have already taken place. Long experience shows that the event captains want every student to be successful and have the chance to participate. The decision of the event captain with respect to late arriving students is final.