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Tulare County Regional Science Olympiad
2012
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Tulare County Regional Science Olympiad

Division B/C Rules

NorCal Science Olympiad Regional & State Tournament Rules

Second Teams: Regional and State Rule
A second team from the same school can compete at the regional level. Each team is considered a separate team of up to 15 students and no more than 5 alternates. National rules state that "each team must have a separate coach and a separate paid membership." The four top scoring teams from different schools in each division (B & C) advance to the State Finals. Only one team per school advances to the state event. The decision to allow more than two teams from a school site to participate in a regional event is up to the discretion of the regional director.

Team structure and advancing to State Finals: State Rule
Each registered team submits the NorCal Official Team list of up to 15 team members (see National rules) and no more than 5 alternates to the regional director prior to the start of the regional event. The list must include signatures from the coach, Principal, and Regional Director. A copy of the original team list for winning teams will be included in the registration packet sent to NorCal.

Regular team members can compete on one team only and cannot be listed as an alternate. Only team members from the winning team participating at the regional level event can participate in the NorCal State Finals. Team members from a second team at the winning school site cannot participate in the state event. If a regular team member is unable to attend the state finals, then an alternate listed on the winning team's list can replace that student for the ENTIRE day. Alternate team members can be listed on both team lists, but only as an alternate. It is not a requirement for alternates to have participated in the regional event.

Each region sends the four top scoring teams in each division (B & C) for a total of eight teams advancing to the state event. If an "invited" team from a school outside the region participates in the regional event and that team scores in the top four, then the regional director has the option of sending the fifth place team in that division so that an invited team does not displace a local team. Should a region send less than eight teams to the state event, the state director will decide how to fill the opening.

Device Impound: State Rule
Only team members can impound a device. The team member(s) does NOT need to be the student participating in the individual event.

Team Numbers: State Rule
At the annual Regional Directors meeting, directors are assigned eight team numbers for their regional teams. Immediately following the regional awards ceremony, winning team coaches are given their team number from the numbers chosen by their Regional Director.

Scoring Procedures: State Rule
Each of the Science Olympiad events is given a raw score based upon scoring criteria deemed appropriate by the event supervisor(s). These raw scores are entered into a matrix for ranking. The awarding of event points is based on the following system:
  • All teams who participate and compete according to the rules must be scored and ranked. Test results will be put in order from 1st place to Nth place (N = number of teams competing).
  • The best raw score (high or low depending on the event) is designated first place and receives one (1) event point.
  • Teams who were scored and had a raw score placed on the answer sheet are to be awarded points for each place as follows: 1st place = 1 point, 2nd place = 2 points, 3rd place = 3 points, up to Nth place.
  • If two or more teams have identical raw scores, tie-breaking rules will come into play and the ties will be broken, if possible. In the event the tie cannot be broken, each team is given the same number of event points and the team or teams with the next best raw score receives the next available number of event points. For example - Team A is in first place for a given event, but there is a tie for second place between teams X and Y. Team A receives 1 point, Teams X and Y each receive 2 points since both teams occupy the second place position, and the next team (which would be the fourth place team) receives 4 event points.
  • Teams/devised that do not meet the requirements in the event rules will be allowed to compete if possible and are to be scored and ranked below those who met all of the specifications. They will be awarded event points in relation to their rank. Event supervisors may, at their discretion, allow students to modify any device before the expiration of the impound period. Supervisors and officials may NOT provide assistance regarding the type of modifications or how to accomplish them prior to, or at any time during, the tournament day.
  • Teams making an honest attempt to participate that CANNOT be assigned a raw score because of time, mechanical failure, wrong dimensions, etc., will be listed as a "P" for Participation for the raw score on the score sheet and will be awarded N points (N is equal to the number of teams registered to compete).
  • No Shows: If a team does not show up or does not make an honest attempt to participate, the team will be listed as a "No Show" or "NS" for the raw score on the score sheet and awarded N + 1 points. This includes teams who may be present, but display no preparation for the competition.
  • Disqualified: Teams should be DISQUALIFIED or "DQ" only for misbehavior (to include excessive use of improper or vulgar language) or cheating. Put "DQ" as a raw score and award N + 2 points on the score sheet. Also note on the score sheet the reason why teams were disqualified. Event supervisors may remove from competition any student(s) whose personal or ethical behavior does not adhere to the Science Olympiad Code of Ethics. This action will disqualify the affected student(s) from participation and scoring in that event only. The event supervisor MUST inform the student and remind the student to inform their coach as soon as a problem occurs.
  • Teams considered as PARTICIPATION, NO SHOW, or DISQUALIFIED will be ranked and assigned points as follows:
    Rank Points
    Participation (P) N points = 20 points
    No Show (NS) N+1 points = 21 points
    Disqualified (DQ) N+2 points = 22 points
    (Note: N = number of teams registered to compete for each division of the tournament, not the number of teams that actually enter the event. The example used above assumes N=20, or 20 teams registered to compete in the division).
It is highly recommended that the scoring procedures mentioned above be adopted at the regional level.

Awards at the state event will remain as follows: gold, silver, and bronze medals for first, second, and third places. Ribbons or medals will be awarded for fourth and fifth places.

Posting Scores: State Rule
No scores or best times will be posted at the NorCal State Finals.

Final Score Appeal Process: Regional and State Rule
The final team scores will be available to each team coach upon completion of the awards ceremony. Team coaches will be given 20 minutes after receipt of overall team scores to appeal any scoring error. Event Supervisor judgment calls are not subject to review.

Arbitration: State Rule
An Arbitration Board, made up of the State Director and Regional Directors, will be available throughout the day to assist with issues that may arise. Individual event appeal forms will be available at the scoring room. A team coach must complete the form and submit it to an arbitration board member or deliver it to the scoring room. Please keep in mind that the Science Olympiad tournament is designed to "turn kids on" to science, not turn them away, yet respect the needs of the Event Supervisor to provide a fair experience and a quality event.

Disqualifications (DQs): State Rule
See National rules for DQs. Where National rules do not indicate what to do if a team is DQ'ed the rule will be that the team receives N + 2 points, where N is the number of teams competing.

If an event is DQ'ed, it is up to the arbitration team to decide if awards are given for the event. Team points will not be given for a DQ'ed event.

Volunteer: State Rule
Each region will be assigned events and must provide an event supervisor and all assistants for each assigned event. The number of events assigned to each region is dependent upon location in relation to the host site. If a region is unable to provide supervisors and assistants, then the event will be cancelled. Regional Directors requesting a specific event assignment or changes to event assignments must consult with the State Director.

Device Authentication: State Rule
See official team list and device statement form.

Team fees for NorCal State Finals:
2012 team fees will remain at $200.


NorCal State Finals Future Regional Hosts:
2012 - 2013: Tulare
2014 - 2015: Sacramento
2016 - 2017: Bay Area