🔬 Rancho Science Olympiad 2026–2027 - Div B

Explore. Build. Experiment. Compete.

Welcome to Rancho Science Olympiad program for the 2026–27 school year!

Science Olympiad is a team-based STEM competition where students work together to develop knowledge and skills across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, engineering, coding, experimentation and scientific problem-solving.

Students don't simply study for tests. They research, build, experiment, design, analyze data, solve problems and compete as a team.

The 2026–27 season brings 23 Division B events, giving students many different ways to discover and develop their STEM strengths.

Interested in joining the team?
Complete our Science Olympiad Interest Form to receive information about tryouts, team selection, preparation sessions and upcoming tournaments.

Few Glimpses from Rancho Science Olympiad 2025-2026

What Is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad is a national STEM competition in which teams of students prepare for a variety of science and engineering events and compete at tournaments.

Science Olympiad describes its program as a standards-based STEM competition involving thousands of teams across the United States.

Students may be asked to:

🧬 Learn human biology and genetics
🌎 Study earth and space science
⚡ Understand electricity and physics
🧪 Investigate chemistry and forensic science
🤖 Design and build engineering devices
💻 Solve coding and cryptography challenges
📊 Conduct experiments and analyze data
✍️ Communicate scientific ideas clearly
🛠️ Design, test and improve engineering solutions

The goal isn't simply to memorize information.

The goal is to learn how to think like a scientist and engineer.

How Does Team Selection Work?

Student Selection

Science Olympiad is a competitive team activity. Because each tournament has limits on the number of students who can compete in each event, participation on the competition team may require a selection process.

Our selection process may consider:

• Interest and commitment

• Science and mathematics foundation

• Event-specific aptitude

• Practice performance

• Practice test results

• Build/design skills

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Attendance and preparation

• Ability to meet tournament deadlines

Important

Joining the interest list does not automatically guarantee placement on the competition team.

Students may initially participate in preparation activities and assessments before final event assignments are made.

🤝 Parent Partnership — An Essential Part of Our Team

Science Olympiad is a student–parent–school partnership. To build a successful and sustainable team, active parent participation is expected from every selected team member's family.

Parents do not need to be science experts. What matters most is a willingness to support the student and contribute to the team.

Every participating student is expected to have a parent/guardian who can support the program through one or more of the following:

• Event Coaching/Mentoring: Help students research, study, practice or prepare for an assigned event.

• Weekend Group Study: Participate in or help facilitate scheduled team study sessions.

• Build Events: Assist students with materials, construction, testing and transportation of builds when needed.

• Practice & Testing: Help administer practice tests, review materials or conduct mock competitions.

• Tournament Support: Volunteer at invitationals, regional and other tournaments as required.

• Team Logistics: Support transportation, food, supplies, registration and other tournament-day needs.

• Team Coordination: Help maintain communication between students, parents and coaches.

Expected Commitment?

This section is important to set expectations before students join.

⏰ Science Olympiad is a significant commitment.

Students selected for the competition team should expect to dedicate regular time to preparation.

A typical preparation schedule may include:

Weekday preparation:
Approximately 1–2 hours depending on event and season phase.

Weekend preparation:
Group study, build sessions, practice tests or tournament preparation as needed.

Build events:
Additional time may be required outside regular meetings to design, construct and test devices.

Before tournaments:
Preparation time may increase significantly.

Attendance

Regular attendance is expected for selected team members.

***** Students attendance is mandatory on tournaments days( all tounamnet held on Saturdays)

Students should communicate conflicts in advance and remain responsible for completing missed work.

🧪 2026–27 Division B Events 

The official 2027 Division B slate includes 23 events.

🧬 Life, Personal & Social Science

Event

Type

Anatomy & Physiology

Study

Botany

Study

Disease Detectives

Study / Analysis

Heredity

Study

Water Quality

Study / Analysis

🌎 Earth & Space Science

Event

Type

Dynamic Planet

Study

Meteorology

Study / Analysis

Remote Sensing

Study / Analysis

Rocks & Minerals

Identification / Study

Solar System

Study

⚗️ Physical Science & Chemistry

Circuit Lab

Lab / Problem Solving

Crime Busters

Lab / Forensics

Food Science

Lab / Study

Hovercraft

Engineering / Build

Thermodynamics

Study / Experiment

🛠️ Technology & Engineering

Boomilever

Build / Engineering

Elastic Launched Gliders

Build / Engineering

Roller Coaster

Build / Engineering

Scrambler

Build / Engineering

💻 Inquiry & Nature of Science

Codebusters

Coding / Cryptography

Experimental Design

Experiment / Data Analysis

Ping-Pong Parachute

Engineering / Build

Write It Do It

Communication / Engineering

The national site currently indicates that the 2027 rules will become available September 8, 2026, so the detailed preparation requirements should be finalized after the official rules are released.

📝 Practice Tests & Preparation

Science Olympiad preparation is more than studying content. Students need to learn how to apply what they know under time pressure, work effectively with a partner, interpret unfamiliar information, solve problems and communicate their answers accurately.

Practice tests are an important part of our team's preparation strategy.

🔬 Science Olympiad Practice Test Library

Students and parents can use the Science Olympiad Student Center test archive as an additional resource for finding practice tests across different events.

Practice Test Library:
https://scioly.org/tests/

📊 How We Will Use Practice Tests

Practice tests will be used throughout the season to help students:

• Assess their understanding of an event

• Identify areas that need additional study

• Practice working under tournament time limits

• Improve speed and accuracy

• Learn how to divide work between teammates

• Track progress over time

• Prepare for invitationals and tournaments

• Build confidence before competition

Practice → Review → Improve