logo: SAMEC
Arizona Science Olympiad Division B

Since 1985, Arizona Science Olympiad has strived and succeeded in increasing student interest in science, through classroom activities, research, and regional, state, and national tournaments. The tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the year. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. Olympiad events are designed to use a variety of intellectual and practical skills. Some events require a quick recall of specific facts, while others require concept development, a process skill, or an application of a specific concept. An Olympiad team is composed of up to fifteen students for Division B (middle school).

  • New Information

  • Important Dates


  • School Team Information

  • Required Forms

  • In addition to any school district required permission forms, Science Olympiad requires the following forms to participate in each tournament.

  • State Tournament
    • Registration Form The Science Olympiad registration fee MUST be paid in advance to participate in any of the tournaments.  Registration deadline:  January 31, 2008
    • Code of Conduct Form (signed by each student, coach and school principal)
    • Vandalism Form
    • Parent/Guardian Permission Form (This form only needs to be completed once if all areas are filled in for each tournament. It should remain with the coach at all tournaments)
    • Pre-Registration Form
    • Tournament Registration Form (signed by coach and school principal)
    • Event Slip (optional) sometimes teams fill these out in advance of each tournament. These slips are considered the "ticket" for students to enter each event. They will be requested at the entrance of the event. A sample event slip is below. Some teams fill these out in advance of each tournament.
    • Sample Event Slip

  • State Tournament Rules and Policies

    At the end of the Arizona State Division B Awards Ceremony each team's head coach will be provided one copy of the final scores. Any scoring inconsistencies must be brought to the attention of the arbitrators within one hour of the completion of the ceremony. Places are tentative and may change within that hour period. Medals and Trophies will be awarded but not taken away. No scores for the Arizona Science Olympiad Division B are official until they are posted on the website: samec.lpl.arizona.edu/k12students/olympiad.html

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • How do I register a team?
    If you are interested in participating in Science Olympiad, please register by filling out the official Registration Form

    Note: No part of the membership fee is used to pay for any national tournament expenses or administrative expenses.
    When you register, each team receives a Science Olympiad coaches manual which includes a set of rules for all of the tournament events. Each school is eligible to participate in local, regional, state and National Science Olympiad Tournaments.
    • What is an invitational tournament?
      Sometimes schools will host invitational (practice) tournaments. Coaches and students are highly encouraged to participate in these tournaments to help prepare students for the state tournament in March. Unlike the state tournament, you may enter as many teams as you wish. For example, if you have a team up to 15 students, each of your students could possibly participate in 2-3 events (depending on the tournament schedule). Sometimes these tournaments help students determine which event(s) interests them the most. If you are a new coach and your students are unable to attend an invitational tournament, we encourage you to attend to observe and experience a Science Olympiad tournament. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL FEE TO PARTICIPATE. Your Science Olympiad membership registration fee includes participation in ALL of the tournaments.

    • Where can I find information/help on coaching a team? Join the informal Science Olympiad Coaches Discussion Group. Many experienced coaches are members and can offer assistance. To join go to: Science Olympiad Coaches Discussion Group. This list is for coaches to communicate with each other about topics relating to coaching science olympiad teams. If you have questions about the list, please email: Science Olympiad Coaches Owner

    • SCIOLYMPIAD@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Arizona Science Olympiad Division B coaches listserve (restricted)


    • Contact Information
    Middle School (Division B: grades 5-9)*
    Scott Speet, Arizona State Director
    4530 N Placita Oquitoa
    Tucson AZ 85749
    520-749-8377 (phone) or 520-545-8478 (fax)
    saspeet@raytheon.com

    *prerequisites for grade 9

    High School (Division C: grades 9-12)
    Agripina Paluch, Arizona State Director
    45236 N. 10th St.
    New River AZ 85087
    Apaluch1@aol.com