Hey there! If you have never done SciOly before or forgot what some of the events are about, don’t worry! In most years, the majority of the TAMS SciOly team members did not have prior experience and started from scratch, yet we have consistently placed 1st at regionals and performed as one of the top teams in Texas, getting as high as 4th in the state!
Check out the calendar for the tryout and tournament schedule.
SciOly resources (check out these websites!):
Check out the calendar for the tryout and tournament schedule.
SciOly resources (check out these websites!):
NOTICE: As a safety precaution against COVID-19, the TAMS SciOly team will be competing in "Mini Science Olympiad," or Mini SO. In this scenario, tests will be taken through online platforms. With that being said, Mini SO offers no hands-on events; build events will be unavailable, and lab events will only consist of the test portion. Please see the "Additional Notes" column of each table to check if the event of interest is offered. Here is a list of events that will be available for Mini SO as of now.
We hope this inconvenience doesn't deter your passion for competition and thirst for knowledge. Thank you for your patience, and see you at our weekly practices!
We hope this inconvenience doesn't deter your passion for competition and thirst for knowledge. Thank you for your patience, and see you at our weekly practices!
TOURNAMENTS
FALL 2020
SPRING 2021
FALL 2020
- UT Austin Invitational: 10/23 - 10/25
- Transcontinental: 11/21 - 11/22
- Las Vegas (SOLVI): 12/19
SPRING 2021
- Harvard-Brown Invitational: 1/30 - 1/31
- Regionals: TBD (late Feb - early March)
- State: 4/24
- AND MORE, TBD...
TEST EVENTS
The simplest events are the TEST events. In these events, you walk into the testing room, sit down with your partner, and take a test. That’s it. This is why in these events, your NOTES are your best friends (Yes, you are allowed to bring notes. Be sure to read the manual to know what you can bring to each event). Sample/past tests are a great resource--if you're stuck on a question, use that question's information to build your notes sheet. TRYOUTS WILL BE INDIVIDUAL and hosted virtually.
*TIP: If your event only allows up to one sheet of notes front and back, a good way to add as much info as possible is to type up 8 pages of notes, select "4 pages per sheet" in your printing options, and print double sided. To ensure that you can read everything, a laser color printer is recommended (you can find one in the 255 Chilton Hall computer lab!). Here's an example.
The simplest events are the TEST events. In these events, you walk into the testing room, sit down with your partner, and take a test. That’s it. This is why in these events, your NOTES are your best friends (Yes, you are allowed to bring notes. Be sure to read the manual to know what you can bring to each event). Sample/past tests are a great resource--if you're stuck on a question, use that question's information to build your notes sheet. TRYOUTS WILL BE INDIVIDUAL and hosted virtually.
*TIP: If your event only allows up to one sheet of notes front and back, a good way to add as much info as possible is to type up 8 pages of notes, select "4 pages per sheet" in your printing options, and print double sided. To ensure that you can read everything, a laser color printer is recommended (you can find one in the 255 Chilton Hall computer lab!). Here's an example.
Event |
Description |
Additional Notes |
Anatomy & Physiology |
Very in-depth bio test, but pretty standard for A+P. This year’s (2020-2021) main focuses are Integumentary, Skeletal, and Muscular Systems. You are allowed one (1) front-and-back page of notes, so be sure to put as much relevant information on there as you can. Formatting and organization are key when it comes to the notes sheet. Labeling images, having detailed diagrams, knowing the functions and relative orientations of the body structures/organs, and understanding diseases will be important. |
More info Notes compilation for all body systems Resources allowed:
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Astronomy |
This event involves stellar identification, extensive knowledge of stellar evolution (how stars change over their lifetimes), and an understanding of star properties. You also need to know some physics such Kepler’s laws and how to use parallax and the such. Other stellar objects such as neutron stars, black holes, etc. are also fair game for questions. NOTE: If you choose to use a laptop or tablet, it should be OFFLINE during the test, so all notes should be stored before hand so you can access them without the internet. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Codebusters |
In this event, your three (3) person team will be asked to decrypt and encrypt strings of text using various ciphers. Ciphers this year include the Caesar cipher, mono-alphabetic substitution ciphers, Affine, Vigenere, Baconian, Xenocrypt, Hill, and RSA ciphers. Speed and practice are key here. Here’s a fun cipher problem you should try. Decrypt the following message: RBHNKX HR ETM! Solution: If you shift each letter up by one in the alphabet, you’ll get the decoded message: SCIOLY IS FUN! This is a classic example of the Caesar cipher. |
Tips and resources Practice More info Resources Allowed:
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Designer Genes |
Knowledge of genetics, DNA technology, biotechnological advancements, genetics, and ethics are required for this event. Examples of DNA technology include sequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning, gel electrophoresis, and more. There may also be questions using genetic diagrams (Punnett Squares, pedigrees, gel electrophoresis, etc). |
More info Resources allowed:
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Disease Detectives |
This event involves using investigative skills in the scientific study of disease, injury, health and disability in populations or groups of people. Typical questions require defining, categorizing, and providing examples of diseases/pathogens and vectors of transmission, and using basic knowledge on paradigms and relationships in epidemiology. There are usually questions involving the theoretical outbreak of a disease, for which you need to do some calculations and stats to determine risk, origin, etc. You are also expected to know the scientific procedures related to outbreak control, and identify potential bias factors in studies. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Dynamic Planet |
This event involves completing tasks related to physical and geological oceanography. Questions will be on topics such as Seawater, topographic features of continental margins, waves, reefs, surface currents, and more. You should be able to construct graphs to identify and label the thermocline, analyze water pH data from selected regions, and relate salinity to types of estuaries. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Fossils |
This event involves fossil identification, answering questions about classification, habitat, ecological relationships, behaviors, environmental adaptations and the use of fossils to date and correlate rock units. Since this is a very information-intensive event, you are allowed to bring a binder with information from any source. |
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GeoLogic Mapping |
Basically this event asks you to read and interpret different types of maps (topographical and geological maps and their cross-sections). A protractor and compass would be very useful. In addition, you should be able to construct these maps as well. Using the information from the maps, you also need to interpret the risk of geohazards as well as find subsurface structures. You can bring a binder for notes. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Ornithology |
This event will test your knowledge of North American Birds. A list of the national birds you will need to know is on the official rules manual. There may be timed stations and/or PowerPoint slides with specimen that you must identify. In addition to identification, you should also be familiar with the anatomy and physiology, history, ecology, and behavior of birds. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Science Word |
Basically a game of taboo but with science words! Team members will take turns giving verbal clues that are related to the selected scientific term from across all science disciplines while the other team member attempts to identify the term. |
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We've Got Your Number |
You will be given 4 one-digit numbers, and your task is to manipulate them mathematically using allowed operations to get numbers 1-100 as answers. Ex: given the digits 1,4,7,9 you can get the number 51 by doing (7x(4-1)!+9) and 100 by doing 94+7-1. |
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LAB EVENTS
In LAB events, there is often a portion that requires you to perform some physical task, whether as a part of a written test, as a separately graded portion, or as the event itself. In some of these events where the written test is a major portion, notes are still very important, but generally, experience and practicing with your partner(s) are a lot more valuable.
Only the test portion will be given during tryouts.
NOTE: While TAMS JETS does provide safety goggles/glasses, lab coats, and testing equipment, please note that we may not have enough (safety goggles, especially) for everyone. During the competition, we may require members to hand off the equipment to others in a different event. If you have safety goggles/glasses of your own, we highly encourage you bring them!
In LAB events, there is often a portion that requires you to perform some physical task, whether as a part of a written test, as a separately graded portion, or as the event itself. In some of these events where the written test is a major portion, notes are still very important, but generally, experience and practicing with your partner(s) are a lot more valuable.
Only the test portion will be given during tryouts.
NOTE: While TAMS JETS does provide safety goggles/glasses, lab coats, and testing equipment, please note that we may not have enough (safety goggles, especially) for everyone. During the competition, we may require members to hand off the equipment to others in a different event. If you have safety goggles/glasses of your own, we highly encourage you bring them!
Event |
Description |
Additional Notes |
Chemistry Lab |
Surprisingly, this event is nowhere near the level of AP Chemistry that you would expect. The lab portion is usually just following instructions, not messing up, and very simple stoichiometry. The test portion this year will be focused on Aqueous Solutions and Acids/Bases. It will be a long list, but you may bring (1) front and back pages of notes to cover most of the info. Overall, easier than it sounds esp. at invitationals and regionals. Don’t be discouraged! |
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Circuit Lab |
This event deals with electricity and magnetism. You will likely be tested on circuit concepts and circuit analysis, like current flow/direction, resistors, Kirchhoff’s Laws, etc. There will be a test portion and a practical portion where you will be working directly with a circuit. You are allowed one binder of notes. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Forensics |
This is a test and lab event where one person fills out the knowledge part and the other one tests and identifies given samples “found on a crime scene.” There’s a wide range of information that it covers (fabric, plastics, hair samples, common chemicals and solids, blood, DNA, fingerprints, chromatography, spectroscopy, burn tests, glass fragments, bullet striations, etc.), but each isn’t too extensively tested. You’re allowed (1) front and back pages of notes. You should be ok with pressure (no matter how much you prepare your notes, nothing beats the actual experience) and over time be comfortable with testing the samples. |
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Protein Modeling |
This event will focus on modifications to Cas9 that make it useful for base-editing. First, you will create a pre-built model in the weeks leading up to the competition (this counts for 40% of your score!), and on the day of the tournament, you will build an on-site model on a different protein, and then answer a theoretical/test portion that covers concepts of protein structure and biochemistry. |
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Experimental Design |
ExD is basically Science Fair / high school science lab on steroids. Your three (3) person team is given an hour or so with basic supplies (pipe cleaners, paper towels, ruler, water, cups, etc.) to test and conduct an experiment complete with a question, hypothesis, variables, procedure, results, graphs and conclusion. Invitationals and regionals are basically free medals but State is not as easy. |
More info Resources allowed:
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Sounds of Music |
The test portion of this event will require knowledge on music theory (notes, intervals, scales, solfège, time signature, tempo, etc) and the physics of sound (acoustics, resonance, instrument structure, etc). The lab portion asks for you to build your very own instrument prior to the start of the competition. During the event, you will be asked to play a scale and/or a piece (such as "Twinkle Twinkle") to demonstrate the instrument's acoustics. |
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Water Quality |
Test about water quality--pretty self explanatory. This year’s focus is on marine and estuary aquatic environments. You will be tested on marine and estuary ecology, coral reef macroflora and fauna identification, water monitoring and analysis, and salinometer testing. |
More info List of macroorganisms Resources allowed:
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Write It Do It |
One partner enters a room, while the other partner waits outside, and looks at a pre-built structure made out of everyday objects (cups, plates, stickers, legos, whatever) and writes instructions on how to build it (25 minutes for writing instructions). Your partner then tries to build the structure from your instructions (25 minutes for building). It is important to develop a system of position/navigation (i.e. coordinate system, finger segments as unit measurement, angles, etc) and PRACTICE a lot. It helps if you know your partner well. |
BUILD EVENTS
In BUILD events, you will have to build something BEFORE the competition and bring it there to compete (hopefully without it falling apart on the road). Some of these events do not require studying, making notes, or taking tests at all (check official rules manual for details). The only way to win these events is to devote your time to making the build and testing it again and again. It might sound tedious, but remember, all you have to do is be less lazy than the other teams.
Of course, for tryouts, you will not need to actually build the device. What is required, instead, is a write-up/sketch of a comprehensive design for your build event. Be sure to be detailed an include information regarding materials needed, how your device will function, and why your design is better than other possible designs.
In BUILD events, you will have to build something BEFORE the competition and bring it there to compete (hopefully without it falling apart on the road). Some of these events do not require studying, making notes, or taking tests at all (check official rules manual for details). The only way to win these events is to devote your time to making the build and testing it again and again. It might sound tedious, but remember, all you have to do is be less lazy than the other teams.
Of course, for tryouts, you will not need to actually build the device. What is required, instead, is a write-up/sketch of a comprehensive design for your build event. Be sure to be detailed an include information regarding materials needed, how your device will function, and why your design is better than other possible designs.
Event |
Description |
Additional Notes |
Boomilever |
In this event, competitors design and build a boomilever prior to the competition, with the intention of supporting the most load with a small weight. Aim to support the most weight possible while having the lightest possible weight, i.e. the highest structural efficiency. |
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Detector Building |
This event involves building a durable temperature sensing device that will accurately measure and display temperatures between zero degrees Celsius to 75 degrees Celsius to determine the temperature of four different water samples. |
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Machines |
This event involves completing a written test on simple and compound machine concepts and constructing a lever-based measuring device prior to the tournament to determine the ratio between two masses. |
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Gravity Vehicle |
Design, build and test one Vehicle and Ramp that uses the Vehicle's gravitational potential energy as its sole means of propulsion to reach a target as quickly and accurately as possible. |
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Ping Pong Parachute |
Prior to the tournament, you will have to design, build and bring up to two bottle rockets to the tournament to launch a ping pong ball attached to a parachute to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time. Refer to the rules manual for more info. |
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Wright Stuff |
Dress up as Orville and Wilbur and reenact the invention of the first plane. JK. Make a free flying monoplane plane powered solely by a twisted rubber band in order to achieve the maximum flight duration. Probably one of the more frustrating events, but it’s a great event to do with a friend! |
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